Eating disorders: Make it your b.usiness

There are movies about them. The Lifetime channel presents miniseries dealing with their implications. Dramas are run on major networks about their effects on an important person's family.

Eating disorders.

Eight million Americans have them and most often the victim is in denial, which complicates support and diagnosis.

The list of disorders ranges from anorexia to compulsive overeating. Though there are many disorders, there seems to be one common reason for their existence: to gain control.

The victim's life might be a whirlwind of confusion and dismay. Perhaps their homelife is not going well and they are having trouble being responsible. Or maybe it is just a lack of selfconfidence. They now turn to other sources to feel as if they are still in the driver's seat.

They feel release when they are able to binge eat and then vomit. This is the control factor: they control their consumption and then what will happen afterwards, usually bringing it right back up, so as to not gain a pound.

College is a time when there is little-to-no certainty and the most steady things can become confusing. These four tumultuoos years can be filled with anxiety and stress. Eating disorders are easily born in these conditions.

Women, ages 12 to 25, are the most common victims of eating disorders. Four percent of college females have an eating disorder. What are the chances that you know someone with an eating disorder? Do the math.

Be prepared to fight denial and still remain compassioante. Report a suspected case to the nurse. Eating disorders can result in death.

A Hollywood celebrity's life models perfection. Millions of people sit on their couches watching the awards' shows, fantasizing about being in the celebrities' shoes. However, there is no realization of what goes on behind the closed doors. The actresses are also women in need of control. Eating disorders are rampant in the so-called Tmsel Town.

People are infatuated with the perfect image and constantly think they are competing. Pethaps this is a lesson of awareness for all of us. Take the responsibility to not be oblivious to comments such as "Oh, I'm not hungry..." or "I already ate ...before I came ..." or consistent trips to the bathroom or even compulsive exercising. Although people are hesitant to get involved, these individuals may need your help. So make it your business.

There is absolutely no reason on Earth that you should have to listen to a thing that I'm about to say. But, if you do choose to read on, good luck. This is a commentary, a small section on Loquitur where I rant on and on about something that I have stockpiled in the back of my mind. Truth be told, there isn't all that much lurking in my head that I feel I must tell you about that you don't already know. I won't discuss housing, because honestly, who wants to hear about that again. I won't talk about the most recent speaker who visited the college and I promise not to mention a single faculty member's name. Instead, I'll just tell you about the things that make me happy. I give you the 100 per-

The monte cristo sandwich from Bennigans. Even writing the name of this delectable sandwich makes me salivate like a dog under the dictatorship of Pavlov. If you haven't had a monte cristo, you are truly missing out on the eighth wonder of the world. I must have eaten at least 20 of these sandwiches in my lifetime and each time it gets even more delicious. Deep-fried bread stuffed with ham, turkey and cheese topped with powdered sugar ready to be dipped in raspberry sauce. It comes in four pieces and easily contains at least 100 grams or better of asswidening fat, but it's worth it and that's coming from a man who is obsessed with calorie counting. All this with a side of fries and you've had a tiny slice of heaven. I'll let you in on a little secret: I just drooled all over my keyboard. I love that sandwich.

Next on my road to happiness is the Ab-Slide. OK, so I said I didn't mind the countless calories that are soaked in the monte cristo, but I don't want it to stay with me forever, especially bulging out over my belt. That's why the Ab-Slide was one of the greatest presents I've ever received. Posed like a cat on all fours, arms reached out in front of me with my hands wrapped around those beautiful blue handlebars I'm ready to slide. The stretch in my stomach, the tightness in my arms, the vein popping out of my forehead as I slide down towards the floor, pure enjoyment. In just five minutes a day I'll personally guarantee you results after about two weeks. I won't reimburse you or anything if it fails, but the next time you see me in the halls feel free to flip me off or something, I' 11understand.

And last on my list is you. Yeah, you know who you are. Go ahead, smile for me, you're number one in my book. Each time I think of you I experience a world of happiness even greater than that of my beloved monte cristo or Ab-Slide. There you go, a no complaints, no hassle commentary. Hope you enjoyed it.