Before 1995, no cases of eating disorders had been reported on the island of Fiji. In three years of watching American and British television programs, more than two-thirds of Fijian girls developed eating disorders and three-quarters of girls felt fat (Hall 1-2). Girls and boys feel more insecure about their bodies and try to deal with the suffocating feelings that come with being insecure. Some people are not well educated on this topic and, for this reason, do not see the seriousness of it. One example, bulimia, has been around for thirty years and people are still not very familiar with the damage it can cause physically and emotionally. Bulimia is when people choose to throw up food because they are unhappy with their bodies. Bulimia nervosa can destroy not only a person's life, but also the lives of those around them, and can be stopped with support and advice. Bulimia exists for numerous reasons. It is normal for a person's body to get bigger as they grow. Most people, however, handle the situation poorly, so they will do anything to get rid of the newly added weight. A handful of young people use bulimia to stunt their growth. This way of thinking may explain why college students are prime candidates for becoming bulimic (Halls 1-2). It is a way of expressing thoughts that cannot be expressed in words. Provides immediate relief from life-related pain. Vomiting replaces other actions, thoughts and feelings. When the binge/purge episode ends, the bulimic regains control, but only for a moment. There is a sense of calm. However, the negative feelings soon return and the cycle begins again. Another reason bulimia occurs is due to life changes or stressful events. If a dear friend or family member d...... middle of paper ......r old life. It takes time to work, but knowing that it will work can make a bulimic person feel like they are taking the necessary actions to improve. Bulimia is a serious eating disorder that needs to be addressed. It affects not only bulimics, but also their friends and family. There are many solutions to this problem, but they go unnoticed because people choose to ignore bulimia and its severity. We need to spread the word. We need to make people aware of the things they choose to ignore just because it doesn't concern them. We need to make resources like books, movies, and Prozac more accessible. A bulimic person should not be afraid or embarrassed to contact a friend or family member. He/she would like to help in any way possible. No one wants to sit and watch a loved one suffer, especially if you can do something about it.