Journalist teaches how to talk about eating disorders – 02/08/2023 – Novo em Folha

Eating disorders must be approached carefully, says Mallary Tenore Tarpley, who has written for The New York Times and The Washington Post. She is a professor of journalism at the University of Texas and has suffered from anorexia nervosa. In an article on the Poynter website points to improving press coverage on the topic.

Eating disorders are not a rich white girl problem

According to Tarpley, better coverage of the topic requires journalists to avoid stereotypes. Seeking sources from different ages, ethnicities and social classes contributes to the demise of the idea that eating disorders are “rich white teen problems”.

It is also not true that eating disorders are only characteristic of excessively thin or overweight people. Many people struggle silently against these problems, even though they have an “apparently healthy” body.

As a source of information to improve the approach in this respect, Mallary points to Neda (National Eating Disorder Association), which disseminates research and news with the right focus.

In Brazil, Astral (Brazilian Association of Eating Disorders) carries out similar work, with experts and people who suffer from eating disorders talking about the topic.

Respect the character’s sensitivity

Independent journalist Amelia Tait, interviewed by Tarpley, has recently recovered from anorexia. For Tait, it is essential that the interviewee does not feel embarrassed or forced to talk about anything she does not want to.

Men also suffer from anorexia and bulimia

According to American data, men are 25% of victims of bulimia and anorexia, and 36% of people with binge eating. Yet much of the coverage on the subject treats the disorders as something unique to women.

Journalist Ken Capobianco, who was also interviewed by the author, wrote a book on the subject and has already suffered from anorexia. He claims that most reports portray men who seek to be excessively strong and develop disorders because of it, but it is rare to read about those who crave an idea of ​​perfection related to thinness.

Avoid sensationalist images

Many times, reports about eating disorders bring images of people who are excessively thin, with feeding tubes or that show the changes in the body during and after going through an eating disorder.

Images of this type end up minimizing the complexities surrounding an eating disorder, focusing only on the physical aspect, in addition to suggesting that those who suffer from these disorders have a certain appearance, which makes diagnosis difficult.

Explore the nuances of recovery

Recovery is often not a simple, linear process.

It is important, when writing about the subject, to understand that eating disorders do not go away. They go through a gradual decrease, and no one but the person himself can indicate how he feels.

Therefore, Mallary recommends always asking the source how they feel about the condition. Many define themselves as partially recovered, fully recovered or simply cured.

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