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The Battalion
OPINION
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Friday, March 23,1990
Opinion Page Editor
Ellen Hobbs
Stress, anxiety trigger students’ eating disorders
Students experience many changes
during college. They leave home,
establish new relationships, evaluate
family values and review career goals.
On top of these changes, the pressures
on college students to be attractive and
successful are intense. The result is
stress.
Stress may trigger feelings of anxiety,
inadequacy and loneliness, and it is
common to use food as a source of
comfort to fight depression, frustration
and boredom. However, when food
becomes an obsession controlling the
person’s actions, thoughts and feelings
up to the point of interfering with
normal life, the presence of an eating
disorder is contemplated.
Eating disorders are more prevalent
among white middle- or upper-class
women. About 90 percent of all patients
with eating disorders are women.
Women are especially susceptible to the
trying to fit in the image of the “ideal
woman:” one who is smart, well-like,
beautiful and above all, thin.
Obsessive concern about weight is so
prevalent among college women that 50
percent have engaged in binge eating
and purging as a method of weight
Erika Gonzalez-Lima
Health Columnist
control, 10 percent have an eating
disorder and three percent are
anorexic.
Students irj majors that emphasize
looks and physical condition, such as
fashion, entertainment and competitive
sports are also vulnerable to eating
disorders. The NCAA says 40 percent
of student athletes suffer from eating-
disorders.
There are three types of eating
disorders:
• Anorexia nervosa is a condition
characterized by an intense
preoccupation with food, combined
with an irrational fear of becoming fat.
Anorexia is accompanied by weight loss
of 25 percent below original body
weight, distortion of body image,
extreme dieting and exercise, cessation
of menstration, mood disturbances,
frequent weighing, inability to
concentrate, hypothermia and
constipation.
A study of 700 cases of anorexia
nervosa showed that after treatment, 50
percent of the anorexic cases improved,
25 percent continued having weight
problems or became obese, 18 percent
continued being anorexic and 7 percent
died.
• Bulimia, also known as the “binge-
purge syndrome,” is a psychological
craving for food that causes
uncontrollable eating. The
complications of bulimia are tooth
decay, salivary gland enlargement,
gastric ulcers and electrolyte imbalance.
• Compulsive overeating is the
regular consumption of excessive
amounts of food, usually in the absence
of hunger. Compulsive overeaters are
usually overweight or obese and may
have trouble losing weight or
maintaining weight loss. As their weight
increases, they may suffer from
shortness of breath, high blood
pressure, joint problems, diabetes and
heart disease.
Eating disorders are more prevalent
among families who emphasize weight
control or with a history of eating
disorders, alcohol or drug abuse. Few
people can stop eating disorders by
themselves. The most useful treatments
usually combine several forms of
therapy including behavior
modification; individual, group and
family therapy; and self-help groups.
Hospitalization may be necessary for
people whose symptoms are very severe.
Here are some ways to avoid thoughts
and food deprivations that may lead to
eating disorders:
1. Learn about nutrition and avoid
fad diets.
2. Avoid frequent weighing.
3. Emphasize health, not weight.
4. Avoid excessive hunger. Plan your
meals and snacks.
5. Record food intake, exercise and
mood states.
6. Know yourself: Find what triggers
you to abuse food.
7. See setbacks as part of progress. Be
kind to yourself.
8. Build a positive self-image.
9. Buy limited amounts of food and
do not shop when hungry.
10. Seek counseling or professional
help if necessary.
Vote yes for a better health mji
March 29.
The A.P. Beutal Health Centers
AU
one lowest in the nation. Thepass;
Bstuni!
of the Health Center Referendum
Pail e<
■fhurs
increase the Health Center feeftc jj v
$15 to $25 per semester will alios; aliout
center:
• to hire more physicians, nurs
and staff.
• to shorten the waiting timei
clinic.
• to schedule longer appointnt
with the physicians.
Considering that just one visillti
doctor in the community costs at la
$35, the referendum will enabled
Health Center to improve thequalij
health care while keeping costsdo'
Have a question on a health issue? H'nltlcl)/
Health Columnist, Dr. Erika Gmnaln-LmM
Health Center, Texas A&M University, Colhpi
TX 778-1 ’> -1264. Letters will be answeredmt,.-
through this column in The Battalion. If an mi,.
reply is expected, please include your name, Mi-
telephone number
Mail Call
Aggie’s mind is closed
EDITOR:
After being perturbed by yet another letter to the editor, I
felt I had to respond. What makes a person closed minded?
Does it make me close minded to cherish this institution and
its traditions? Or if 1 try to put my faith into action? Or is it
because I love the Lord with my whole heart?
If this makes me closed minded, then call me that as often
as you would like.
Douglas Tribolet ‘91
Stop killing innocent animals
EDITOR:
I am shocked by the narrow-mindedness of, some of my
fellow Americans regarding the killing of wild animals for
their pelts. On several occasions I have heard^sometfhe say
that “don’t they (conservationists) know that animals had to
be killed to make their leather jackets, shoes, belts, purses and
other items?” There are several things wrong with this
statement.
To begin with, the issue is not the killing of just any ani
mals, but the killing of wildlife. Cattle, the source of leather,
are not wild animals, they are bred and raised by ranchers
with the intent to sell them for slaughter. Leather is only one
of the by-products of the beef industry.
The carcasses of these innocent animals are discarded as
one would discard an empty beer can.
If you want a fur then settle with an imitation. You have
this choice, unlike the fox, mink, beaver, racoon and sable
who must use their own.
Let’s look to the future and put a stop to the destruction
of wildlife and their habitat. Our grandchildren will thank us.
Steven Ferguson ’90
Be quiet on the “quiet side”
EDITOR:
We have a simple and gracious request to make of our fel
low Aggies. Please learn which side of the 3rd and 4th floors
of the library are designated “group study.” To us, the group
study area is where a group of students meet to study a sub
ject. This generally involves communicating through talking
to one another. We and a group of friends frequently study
together on the 4th floor, but on the other side, away from
the group study area. We prefer the “quiet side” because it is
usually pretty quiet and we study better with silence. At least
we perceive that side to be the quiet side.
Lately, the group study “mumbling” disease has infected
the quiet side.
We can tolerate and understand the need for some inter
action with friends sitting with you as long as it is brief and in
polite, soft, whispering voices.
We would like to extend our most sincere and humble
gratitude to the group who decided to hold an impromptu
“meeting” one evening right next to the table where we were
studying for our promotion, management and Shakespeare
tests the next day.
We don’t want to be considered whiners. We just want
others to respect and show consideration for other Aggies.
Kathy Jones ’91
Carol Knight ’91
Ti
Tatar, not Tartar
EDITOR:
Recently The Battalion published a news item by Pan
Mooman on the B/CS-Kazan, USSR sister city initiative (“So
viet university, A&M share similarities”). There is a littlegt
ography (arid history) lesson there. It is not Tartar, but Tatar
1 know, because I am a Tatar-decent American. Cathy Lov
ing, who talked about Kazan and T atars in the paper, m
misquoted as having said “Tartars,” a phone conversation re
vealed.
I also know that some Tatars do not like to be called Far
tars. So, as we embark on this what may likely to become,;
true nurturing relationship with the city of Kazan on cultural,
economic and friendship relations, let us not call them Tar
tars.
DA
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Thank you very much for making a note of this.
Sungat Altis
Graduate student
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Have an opinion? Express it!
Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in length The editorial staff menu
the right to edit letters for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain thi
author's intent. There is no guarantee that letters submitted will be printed. End
letter must be signed and must include the classification, address and teleplume numk
of the writer. All letters may be brought to 216 Reed McDonald, 01 sent to Camjm
Mail Stop 1111.
Unify Europe instead of just reunifying German]
With President Gorbachev’s hesitant
go-ahead for German reunificatidn, the
last obstacle to the creation of a united
Germany has been removed. The
leaders of the world are now torn
between the acceptance of its
inevitability and the fear of its
consequences. Will the specter of a
strong, jingoistic and aggressive
Germany become a reality?
There seems to be every reason for
the world to fear this. After all,
Germany is usually held responsible for
the two most catastrophic wars in
history. As it is. West Germany is the
economic leader of Europe. The
potential of a united German nation
with a population of 80 million sends
shivers down the spines of leaders in
France, Poland, the USSR and indeed
the whole world. Is there any way then,
of achieving reunification, while at the
same time guaranteeing a measure of
security for the world?
First an obvious fact must be stated:
Reunification is now a certainty.
Besides, it is equally certain that it will
happen not within decades, but within
The Battalion
(USPS 045 360)
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
The Battalion Editorial Board
Scot Walker, Editor
Monique Threadgill,
Managing Editor
Ellen Hobbs, Opinion Page Editor
Melissa Naumann, City Editor
Cindy McMillian, Lisa Robertson,
News Editors
Richard Tijerina, Sports Editor
Fredrick D. Joe, Art Director
Mary-Lynne Rice, Lifestyles Editor
Sarang
Shidore
Reader’s Opinion
the next few years. Indeed, the
Germans have a right to unify their
countries whenever they wish, at
whatever pace they wish. Although we
cannot, and should not, attempt to
influence the domestic structure of a
united Germany, we do indeed have a
right to influence its f uture attitude
towards its neighbors.
The Soviets have (so far) insisted that
Germany dissociate itself from NATO
and become a neutral state similar to
Sweden or Switzerland. Western leaders
however insist that Germany remain
with NATO. This can be seen as an
attempt to retain the cohesiveness and
strength of NATO and secondly, to
keep Germany firmly under a western
“umbrella,” thus decreasing the chance
of it being isolated (and hence
potentially dangerous). In fact,
Editorial Policy
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newspaper operated as a community service to
Texas A&M and Bryan-College Station.
Opinions expressed in The Battalion are
those of the editorial board or the author, and
do not necessarily represent the opinions of
Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the
Board of Regents.
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4111.
President Bush insists that NATO
remain in existence even after the
dissolution of the Warsaw Pact (which
seems certain as most former Soviet
satellites want Soviet troops to leave
their countries). The justification being
offered is that American troops are in
Europe because the western European
countries want them to be there. True,
but we should not forget that NATO
was created in 1949 (before the Warsaw
pact) for collective security in the face of
an ever-growing threat of a communist
invasion. Its creation did indeed
guarantee the security of the West.
However, as George Kenran
(considered the greatest living
American Kremlinologist) recently
stated, the specter of a Soviet led
communist invasion has now been
rendered “impossible.” With internal
strife hitting the Soviet Union like a
tornado, it is indeed difficult to imagine
such an invasion. The “raison d’etre” or
justification for existence of NATO has
ceased to exist. Under the present
conditions, far from being a stabilizing
force, NATO would militarily dominate
the world, as there would be no other
military bloc to “balance” it. No, a
Germany wedded to the West by a
military alliance is no solution.
A unified Europe, not just a unified
Germany, may be the ideal solution.
Economic integration is the first step.
For example, we can imagine the
existence of truly European
corporations with (say) raw materials
from Germany, factories in Belgium
and powered by French power stations.
Gradually, a political federation could
evolve, with a common trade and
foreign policy. This would leave
Germany securely tied to the rest of
Europe. The other European countn
would also be as much dependent on
Germany. It would be very difficult to
ignite nationalisitic or ideological
passions in such a federation, simply
because its citizens would be from vet]
diverse ethnic and ideological
backgrounds. It would probably be
ruled by parties which would besimili
to the present social democraticpartit
Shorn of the fanaticism of the extrenit
left and right, this federation couldbt
model on which other, similar
federations could develop across the
world, bringing down economic barri
and accelerating progress.
Impossible? Possibly. Either way,"'
know within our lifetimes. Now, isn't
that an exciting thought ?
Sarang Shidore is a graduate stuit
in aerospace engineering.
by Don Atkinson Jr,
Adventures In Cartooning
X HPfTC NIGHT
MONSTERS!
Si