Eating disorder problems?

My family and friends are having a ahrd time accepting this idea they say people like me do not devolp eating disorders
reasons why:
Im latina
i grew up not having much I should apprciate what I can get (food)
I listen to rap
I live a fast lifestyle
When i heard this I was crushed
This is a stero typical extreme
I was just wondering if anyone had any pieces of advice or opinons on the situation
thanks!
-Leah

I've had an eating disorder since i was 12 im now 28

The general demographic for anorexics and bulimics is white, upper middle class adolescent/young adult female perfectionists, often with a history of sexual abuse. They constitute the majority of cases; it's not really a stereotype. This however, does not mean that individuals who don't fit this profile cannot also have eating disorders or issues with food.

There is an article called "A Way Outa No Way: Eating Problems Among African American, Latina, and White Women" by Becky Wangsgaard Thompson. The women in this article have mostly Binge Eating Disorder, and explain that being addicted to food is cheaper and less destructive than other addictions (alcohol, drugs, etc.) They also talk about the control they feel they have over themselves when they binge.

There are a number of articles that examine the growing trend for minorities within a predominantly white culture (or a society where white standards are the norm) to exhibit eating disorders; there are some articles about the United States, and others about Indians and Pakistanis in England. Eating disorders have generally been a Western phenomenon, but there are recent articles that discuss the spread of eating disorders into Asia (India, China, Japan, Korea, and other countries that are continuing to be more and more industrialized, wealthier, and/or Westernized).

It should also be noted that there are Latina movie stars who have admitted to having eating disorders; for example, Jessica Alba has discussed her past issues in different magazines.

Eating disorders are all about extremes; some women may be all but celibate, others are hypersexual. Some may never touch drugs, others may experiment or use frequently. I've known women who have used meth and cocaine not for any kind of high, but for the tons of energy and loss of appetite. Less extreme women opt for "legal" drugs, like cigarettes (which decrease appetite), laxatives, Adderall or Ritalin (energy and loss of appetite), etc. I'm not sure what you mean by living a "fast lifestyle", but I can assure you, it in no way negates an eating disorder you may have.

There are a number of websites you can look at to see if you fit the symptomology for a variety of eating disorders. In addition to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, you should look at orthorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and ED NOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified). If you think you have an eating disorder, you MUST get help, regardless of the preconceptions your family and friends have.

Anyone can develop an ED. Unlike people it doesnt descriminate.
Do you have an eating disorder or is this just a question?

well anyone w/ low self esteem can develop an ED.
sounds like they were kidding and u were serious