Secret Lives of Women
Eating Disorders
E13 Jul 1, 2008 60m
Five women with eating disorders are interviewed. When Kelie was fifteen, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. To make her feel normal, her mother read her stories of other girls that also had it. One story that stuck with Kelie was a tale of a girl who skipped her insulin injections so she could fit in her prom dress. After gaining 25 pounds, Kelie decided to do the same. After losing ten pounds in a week, she's developed an eating disorder known as diabulimia that will threaten her life if she doesn't get it under control. Lisa's problem started at age five, when her parents broke up. But instead on under eating, she overeats. At 5'6", her heaviest weight so far has been 294 lbs. Lisa is now under going a weight loss program and hopes this will change her views on food. Tracy's eating disorder started when her children left for college. At 5'2", her lowest weight was 76 lbs in 2000. She's been in and out of treatment for eight years. Tracy is now nearing her goal weight of 110 lbs. Heather and Adrienne developed anorexia while in their mid twenties and have been battling it for a collective total of 25 years. Adrienne has fought the disorder and is on her way to recovery, but Heather fears recovery will not happen with her.