by MEGAN ROMANCZUK Section Editor
Mostly known for her catchy upbeat pop songs, Ke$ha checked herself into rehab on January 3 for struggling with an eating disorder.
The 26-year-old singer has been struggling with weight issues ever since she was criticized for the way she looked in a bikini.
Her friends noticed her fast weight loss on Thanksgiving and, luckily, Ke$ha agreed to getting help instead of letting the problem get worse.
Some people think eating disorders are purely based on mental health; however, the media also puts pressure on teenagers and celebrities to meet impossible standards. Eating disorders are triggered by low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, or being teased for weight issues.
“The media portrays beauty in such a twisted way that they will put you down for having curves, but applaud you when you’re a walking skeleton that starves yourself in order to be perfect,” says senior Casey Eggers
Ke$ha is not the only celebrity that has become a victim of an eating disorder.
Disney Channel’s singer and actress Demi Lovato was sent to the Timberline Knolls facility on October 30, 2010. After Lovato was done with her treatment, she came out to the public about how she suffered with bulimia since the age of eight.
Bulimia is when a person eats normally then goes to the bathroom to either throw up or take a laxative to get rid of the pounds.
Lovato would throw up orange juice because she though it made her gain weight, as well as only eating two meals per day.
Instead of letting the demons get to her, Lovato came out with two successful albums followed by a summer tour in 2012, as well as an upcoming tour in 2014, which starts in February.
Lovato also teamed up with the Jed Foundation to create her campaign “Love Is Louder Than The Pressure To Be Perfect,” which promotes loving your body for the way it looks naturally and embracing curves.
“Demi Lovato has been my inspiration ever since she came out of treatment and told her fans about her past struggles. Even though she had a breaking point, she didn’t let the past break her. Instead, it made her an even better role model. Now I know that I can stay strong no matter what I go through,” said by senior Jesse Shea.
Another child actress Mary-Kate Olsen, who is known for playing Michelle Tanner in the 1987 television show “Full House,” has been battling anorexia since she was teenager.
Anorexia is a constant fear of food or gaining weight such that a person restricts food intake by dieting, fasting, exercising excessively, or eating minimal amounts of food.
She was put into treatment in June 2004 when her family and friends found out about her secret battle.
She blames her eating disorder on her upbringing since she grew up in the public eye. Now Olsen has put the past behind her and is now devoted to the fashion line she shares with her twin, Ashley.
Mostly known for partying on the MTV television show “The Jersey Shore”, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi admitted her disorder on the TV show, as well as having her story published in magazines.
She would eat one salad a day then a cracker a day then it became one grape a day, which transformed into not eating at all for three days.
Polizzi is now married with a son and was one of the stars on “Dancing With The Stars,” as well sharing a television show on MTV with a former “Jersey Shore” cast mate, JWoww.
Eating disorders are a serious problem that can get out of hand fast if not treated properly.
Some health complications that can arise from having an eating disorder are kidney failure, malnutrition, heart problems, and death.
Most victims need professional treatment by doctors, therapists or a nutritionist in order to survive.
Treatments for eating disorders cost from $500 to as much as $2,200 per day. Individuals usually stay in the clinic for three to six months, depending on the severity of the problem.
Along with treatments, some patients need therapy or medical monitoring, which can cost upwards of $100,000.
Eating disorders are a difficult to treat as they require total commitment and are expensive, but with an awareness of the problem and a desire to get healthy, the problem can be addressed successfully.
If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, contact the National eating Disorders Association for information and help.
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