The reality of eating disorders
MTV stars discuss solutions, give inspiration
Shanna L. Rasmussen
Issue date: 12/1/05 Section: News
As Portillo lost weight she received positive attention.
"I would lose weight and get the 'Oh, you look so good,' sort of thing," said Portillo, "The way I was achieving that [weight] was very unhealthy."
Portillo took the now banned from the market diet pill Fen-Phen and would use laxatives, throw up and starve herself to keep the weight off.
On a good day she would eat maybe just one small meal.
Portillo also had a boyfriend who made her feel bad about her body.
"My boyfriend told me my butt looked big," said Portillo, "I know sometimes people say things about people's weight, but it stays with them. Their words can be hurtful for years."
Brecher and Portillo showed a PowerPoint presentation to the audience with some examples of unrealistic beauty in the media.
Barbie was the first on the list. The women explained that if Barbie was a real person she would have to be six feet tall and weigh 101 pounds in a size four while the average American woman weighs 160 pounds and is between a size 11 and 14.
Brecher and Portillo spoke about several movie stars that are influenced by the negative attention they receive in the media.
Among the many stars that have been in the eye of the media because of their weight are Lindsay Lohan, Hillary Duff and Kirstie Alley, all of whom have been criticized for being under weight and ridiculed in the news for being over weight with pictures of them eating.
"If you want to eat a big old sprinkle cupcake then you should be able to whenever you want," said Brecher.
Brecher and Portillo also noted a positive example in the media from 2005. The recent Dove hygiene product advertisements have featured women of all body types.
Another common problem in Hollywood is the growing popularity of doctored images. Computer programs are used to change images in order to make people look slimmer and change their features.
Kate Winslet was furious to find out that her spread in GQ Magazine was doctored so she was made to look a foot taller and much slimmer. She is adamant about promoting herself in her natural form.
Brecher and Portillo were sure to mention that men may also suffer from eating disorders. About one out of ten people with eating disorders are men.
"It's not just women," said Portillo. "It is possible for men to have anorexia or bulimia."
Students were involved throughout the lecture. The majority of the crowd responded when they were asked to participate through cheering or clapping.
"Overall it was good because it was [about people] who students look up to," said Jocelyn Novella, the assistant director of counseling at Sacred Heart, "I think this is really a good thing."
After Brecher and Portillo finished their presentation students were free to ask questions about their time on "The Real World."
Students were excited to talk to the reality stars and they responded respectfully to the presentation.
"Love yourself," said Brecher, "It's the only body you have."
"I would lose weight and get the 'Oh, you look so good,' sort of thing," said Portillo, "The way I was achieving that [weight] was very unhealthy."
Portillo took the now banned from the market diet pill Fen-Phen and would use laxatives, throw up and starve herself to keep the weight off.
On a good day she would eat maybe just one small meal.
Portillo also had a boyfriend who made her feel bad about her body.
"My boyfriend told me my butt looked big," said Portillo, "I know sometimes people say things about people's weight, but it stays with them. Their words can be hurtful for years."
Brecher and Portillo showed a PowerPoint presentation to the audience with some examples of unrealistic beauty in the media.
Barbie was the first on the list. The women explained that if Barbie was a real person she would have to be six feet tall and weigh 101 pounds in a size four while the average American woman weighs 160 pounds and is between a size 11 and 14.
Brecher and Portillo spoke about several movie stars that are influenced by the negative attention they receive in the media.
Among the many stars that have been in the eye of the media because of their weight are Lindsay Lohan, Hillary Duff and Kirstie Alley, all of whom have been criticized for being under weight and ridiculed in the news for being over weight with pictures of them eating.
"If you want to eat a big old sprinkle cupcake then you should be able to whenever you want," said Brecher.
Brecher and Portillo also noted a positive example in the media from 2005. The recent Dove hygiene product advertisements have featured women of all body types.
Another common problem in Hollywood is the growing popularity of doctored images. Computer programs are used to change images in order to make people look slimmer and change their features.
Kate Winslet was furious to find out that her spread in GQ Magazine was doctored so she was made to look a foot taller and much slimmer. She is adamant about promoting herself in her natural form.
Brecher and Portillo were sure to mention that men may also suffer from eating disorders. About one out of ten people with eating disorders are men.
"It's not just women," said Portillo. "It is possible for men to have anorexia or bulimia."
Students were involved throughout the lecture. The majority of the crowd responded when they were asked to participate through cheering or clapping.
"Overall it was good because it was [about people] who students look up to," said Jocelyn Novella, the assistant director of counseling at Sacred Heart, "I think this is really a good thing."
After Brecher and Portillo finished their presentation students were free to ask questions about their time on "The Real World."
Students were excited to talk to the reality stars and they responded respectfully to the presentation.
"Love yourself," said Brecher, "It's the only body you have."