Adam Richman made recent news as his new TV show for the Travel Channel was postponed due to a social media rant that he delivered via Twitter. The conversation started with a Tweet…
“Had ordered this suit from a Savile Row tailor over a year ago. Think I’m gonna need to take it in a little … #Victory #EyesOnThePrize #AnythingIsPossible #fitness #transformation #thinspiration.”
After quitting the binge eating episodes of Man versus Food, the actor and TV host lost sixty pounds. The picture that he tweeted displayed this incredible weight loss. The explosion centers on his use of the word “thinspiration.” The term “thinspiration” is used by people with eating disorders, who consider the word to refer to unhealthy ways to lose weight.
In the discussion, Adam Richman lost his temper, and said some not-so-pleasant things. NY Daily News sums it up, ”
Food-centric Travel Channel personality Adam Richman has had his latest show, set to premiere Wednesday, postponed after a vile rant online in which he encouraged one woman to commit suicide, calling another a “c—” and telling a third user to “eat a bag of s—.” (Article)
He eventually apologized for the comments that he made. I am surprised that Adam who has struggled with weight loss would turn his back on those who have shared his struggle.
With this conflict in the news, I wanted to discuss eating disorders. I don’t watch the show, but I am wondering what the show communicates about healthy eating habits. Maybe some of faithful watchers know, but I am wondering…
- Does the show ever address eating disorders?
- Is purging ever addressed?
- What are the affects of mass-consumption?
- To what extent do moments of mass-consumption affect weight/loss?
As competitive eating events and shows like “Man Versus Food Nation” have become worthy of national attention, so does a discussion about how these shows affect our views of eating.
If you think the show is no big deal, and funny to watch, maybe it is when you don’t consider the affects on those who have eating disorders, or simply struggle with weight loss. I have to admit most TV is simply about amusing us (causing us not to think, rather than evaluating it).
My next post will be, “What you should know about your friends with eating disorders.” I will include the shocking statistics of Emerging adults who are struggling.
If you have struggled with an eating disorder during early adulthood (18-30), or you are a parent of a child who struggled as a young adult, please use your story to encourage others. If you are willing to share a portion of your journey, please let me know at gdavid@earesources.org.
