• more about #fatandbeautiful more comments →
    KillMeNow no longer has a future in journalism: Another totally anecdotal theory for you, Jessica: Eating disorders (which include compulsive overeating, which isn't as "glamorous" so always gets ig... more »
    Flackette Goes Retro: I'm not Jewish at all (WASPy Southern girl), but these stories of thinness-obsessed mothers and grandmothers definitely hit home for me. My grandmothe... more »
    musicpup: OH GOD, that picture freaked me the hell out. I thought for a second this was a friend of mine because they look very much alike. Thank goodness Greta... more »
    shewar: I would love to see a survey of eating disorders done an a global scale. While we still associate eating disorders with affluence, but I think it's sa... more »
    ILiketheWord'Pugilist': It's so sad when you say, Jessica, "I wonder if eating disorders among Jewish women are high because we're trying to attain a beauty ideal that we can... more »
    PrettyNotPretty: I don't remember where I read it, but there was a book my sister had growing up (she has OCD, BDD, and depression) that felt there was something genet... more »
    VaginaWig is A Merkin: There is a huge pressure in Jewish homes for children to succeed, to be the best, to get the best grades. And many times, eating disorders manifest as... more »
    wry_bred: I am Jewish and grew up in an affluent, majority Jewish community, and it seems like eating disorders go hand-in-hand with the really intense material... more »
    badmutha: Not Jewish, just brought up in a family where mixed messages were given all the time about eating, health and body weight. I don't know that this is o... more »
    Sleuthy Sleuthstein: *Gross generalization alert* Jewish people--especially in the older generation, I think--tend to criticize and nitpick their family members. This has... more »
    The Queen of No: I don't know if it's the same for Jewish families, but my family (diluted Hispanic) is totally food-oriented. Every gathering is based around the meal... more »
    stoprobbers: As a Jewish woman myself, I can also add that the Jewish female body type tends towards the hourglass: Big Boobies, Big Hips, teeny-weeny waists. That... more »
    hortense: If they are going with the reasoning that it is their socio-economic status, then maybe the statistics are skewed because they can actually afford to ... more »
    blueVamp: As a former Jewish teen who grew up in a town ~80% Jewish, I can say that eating disorders were rampant. But I am of the belief that they are not some... more »
    pamplemousse (nee twinpeaks): While I do agree with your view on the issue (yes, I am Jewish, too), I have another anecdotal explanation. All the women in my family are OBSESSED wi... more »
  • #jews

    Eating Disorders Are The "Addiction Of Choice" For Jewish Teens