Eating Disorders and Cutting does not Discriminate!

Eating Disorders and Self-Mutilation, growing in numbers within African-American Youth Groups


Over eight million people in the United States suffer from an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa. Self-Mutilation is becoming common and, through the exposure it is getting, is also becoming a trend amongst youth. Although there are not many reports on the demographics of those who suffer from these disorders, we have always deemed them to affect the middle to upper-middle class white community. Well, I want to lift the blinders; eating disorders are touching the black community and our youth groups. As I sit here thinking about what I would like to contribute as my first blog. My mind is racing there is so much to address. As I come to an end of my confusion, I get a call from a concerned parent about her child. To the parent’s surprise, the child has told a friend that she has been cutting. Wow! This is becoming a familiar conversation not just on TV or in the schools but in our youth group here at Destiny.

I remember just a few years ago attending conferences and seminars and hearing about the tragic effects of eating disorders and cutting. I began seeing episodes on TV that addressed the condition and brought awareness to the situations. I remember all the media attention that these issues began to garner. Never once did I see a black person affected or portrayed in all the discussion. When I went to seminars, I would turn somewhat of a deaf ear thinking that the information did not apply to the children in my youth group. I had enough experiences that I should have known many of the issues we see today are not limited to one culture. With the influence of media and peer pressure, I knew it was only a matter of time before these disorders surfaced in the black community. We have a saying in my community that just one sniff of the southern cooking would convince anyone to eat. In fact, lots of us may jokingly blame our losing many diet battles on good ol’ southern cooking. But, these disorders have proven oblivious even to the food comforts of southern living.

As I sat thru those seminars, I was naïve to think that black girls don’t experience the same pressures to look a certain way or deal with the same self-esteem issues. Needless to say, many may deal with them even more in the black community! I realized that societal trends and issues don’t have a face. Any issues you can name in the white, Hispanic, Asian or black communities can be found in them all. The enemy’s desire to destroy is not limited to race, culture or gender!

My theory as a youth minister has been disproven. Societal issues and trends have no color barriers. Our students - whether Caucasian, African-American, Spanish, Asian, etc. - attend the same schools, listen to the same music and watch the same TV shows. They face the same crises that are so prevalent in our society today. The question we ask ourselves is “How do we address it?” How do we love on every student we see each Sunday? How do we let each student know that they are valued and that they are fearfully and wonderfully made? How do we do this when the society we live in tells them a different story? When the society we live in tells them that they are sex objects, property. How do we do this when young girls and people of particular races are demeaned in song lyrics or by overzealous radio hosts! As our society continues to grow in its defaming ridicule towards women, families, schools and cultures, the churches must unite and take a stand to encourage our youth and families. We must commit as churches to create programs, events and strategies to build healthy and strong families. We have a saying within our children’s and youth programs: There is no ministry without family ministry! Our children must understand and embrace Psalm 139. They must understand they are sons and daughters of the King. Godly esteem must be built in our children from infancy as they grow.

As I began to do some research on Eating Disorders and Self-Mutilation in the African American Community, I discovered some compelling facts. Binge eating is more common in Black women than White women, and black women were as likely as White women to report binge eating or vomiting. Black women were also more likely to report fasting and the abuse of laxatives or diuretics. Middle-class African-American adolescents unfortunately tended to demonstrate eating disorders and cutting more than other African-American adolescents. The actual facts are still unclear. I can only compare the data I found to the rise in cases in my youth group, and I’m sure other African-American youth groups are experiencing the same patterns. Please hear me, it’s not about race. I just want to bring some clarity to the African-American community that these taboo issues exist and are real in every community.

So, as this issue spreads through our youth groups, what can we do as youth pastors, Pastors, youth ministers, youth leaders, teachers, friends, sisters and as parents?

Depend on God for wisdom, direction and instruction.
W e must realize the issue itself is not food or self-mutilation. These are just symptoms of a greater issue. The issue normally stems from pain, major life trauma, family issues, low-self esteem, or loneliness.
We must learn more about the condition so that we recognize the symptoms or possible students who could be susceptible to the disease.
Listen to the student who may suffer from Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia or cutting.
Support the student with love and understanding, focusing on affirming their sense of value and self-worth.
Give Direction to the student.
Depend on God.
Prompt the student to admit the condition.
Involve the parents.
Refer the family to a professional.

Scriptures that will guide: Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13-14, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 12:1, Philippians 4:8-9

For more information on Anorexia Nervosa, read “The Thin Disguise” by Pam Vredevelt, Deborah Newman, Harry Beverly, and Frank Minirth Also, Josh McDowell & Bob Hostetler’s Handbook on Counseling Youth is a great resource to have in your library.