Anorexia in the Archives: Documenting the Late Twentieth Century Rise in Eating Disorders
TLDRDr. Alice Weinreb, associate professor of history at Loyola University in Chicago, delivered the 15th annual James H. Cassidy Memorial Lecture in the history of medicine, hosted by the National Library of Medicine. Her presentation, titled 'Anorexia in the Archives: Documenting the Late 20th Century Rise in Eating Disorders,' explored the historical construction and social impact of eating disorders in the United States, particularly focusing on anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Weinreb examined the multifaceted discourses surrounding these illnesses, including medical, popular, and feminist perspectives, and highlighted the role of media, education, and policy in shaping public understanding and response to eating disorders. Her research draws on a vast array of sources from numerous archives across eight countries, shedding light on the global narrative of eating disorders beyond the American context. The talk also touched upon the racialization of eating disorders and the significance of gender in the discourse, emphasizing the need to challenge prevailing narratives and recognize the diverse experiences of those affected by these conditions.
Takeaways
- 📚 The National Library of Medicine (NLM) promotes the use of historical collections for research, education, and public service in biomedicine, social sciences, and the humanities.
- 🏥 The James H. Cassidy Memorial Lecture series honors the contributions of Dr. Cassidy, a renowned historian of medicine and a 50-year employee of the NLM.
- 🏛️ Dr. Alice Weinreb, a historian from Loyola University in Chicago, discussed her work on the rise of eating disorders in the late 20th century, particularly focusing on anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
- 🌟 Dr. Weinreb's research utilizes a wide range of archives from eight different countries, highlighting the global nature of the study of eating disorders.
- 📈 The 1980s saw a significant increase in the diagnosis of eating disorders, with anorexia nervosa being particularly associated with young, affluent women.
- 📰 Media played a crucial role in shaping public understanding of eating disorders, often linking the conditions to societal pressures and the pursuit of an unattainable body image.
- 🎓 College campuses became a focus for eating disorder research and treatment, with a particular emphasis on bulimia nervosa among female students.
- 🏫 Universities developed new administrative policies and support structures to address the rise in eating disorders among students, reflecting a growing recognition of the issue.
- 🌐 Dr. Weinreb's research aims to challenge the notion that eating disorders are primarily American diseases, exploring their global emergence and cultural contexts.
- 📉 The historical narrative of eating disorders has been deeply racialized and gendered, with anorexia often associated with whiteness and overeating with non-white populations.
- 🚫 There has been a pushback against the stereotype that eating disorders only affect white, female individuals, with data showing a broader demographic range affected by these conditions.
Q & A
What is the significance of the National Library of Medicine's history talks?
-The National Library of Medicine's history talks promote awareness and use of the library's historical collections for research, education, and public service in biomedicine, the social sciences, and the humanities. They also support the commitment to recognize the diversity of its collections, which span 10 centuries, encompass various formats, and originate from nearly every part of the globe.
Who was Dr. James H. Cassidy and why is the lecture named after him?
-Dr. James H. Cassidy was a renowned historian of medicine, a 50-year employee of the National Library of Medicine, editor of the printed bibliography of the history of medicine, and a supporter of many essential research tools. The lecture is named after him in memory of his contributions to the field and in recognition of his distinguished scholarly career.
What are some of the achievements of Dr. Alice Weinreb?
-Dr. Alice Weinreb is an associate professor of history at Loyola University in Chicago. She has received numerous fellowships, including the Rackham postdoctoral Fellowship, a Social Science Research Council International Dissertation Field Research Fellowship, and a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship. Her first book, 'Modern Hungers: Food and Power in 20th Century Germany,' won the 2017 Wiener Library Frankle Book Prize in Contemporary History.
How did anorexia nervosa become a significant public health issue in the late 20th century?
-Anorexia nervosa became a significant public health issue through a combination of factors, including the publication of influential books like Hilda Bruch's 'The Golden Cage,' media coverage, the establishment of treatment centers, and the rise of eating disorder support groups. The death of pop star Karen Carpenter, which was attributed to anorexia nervosa, also played a significant role in raising public awareness.
What is the role of the National Library of Medicine's collections in Dr. Weinreb's research?
-The collections of the National Library of Medicine have been crucial for the development of Dr. Weinreb's project. They provide a wealth of material on the history of medicine and medical education, including resources on how medical professionals learned about and treated anorexia nervosa, which has informed her research on the construction of eating disorder archives.
How did the media contribute to the perception of anorexia nervosa as a national crisis?
-The media played a significant role in shaping public perception of anorexia nervosa as a national crisis. Through widespread coverage, including advertisements for treatment programs and reports on high-profile cases like Karen Carpenter's death, the media emphasized the severity and deadliness of the disease, contributing to a sense of urgency and concern around eating disorders.
What is the connection between the rise of eating disorders and second wave feminism?
-The rise of eating disorders coincided with the period of second wave feminism, leading to discussions about the potential link between the two. Some, like Dr. Hilda Bruch, posited that the increased ambitions of young women due to feminism could be a contributing factor to the growth of anorexia. Feminists also used anorexia as a symbol of female oppression and the pressures of unattainable beauty norms, and eating disorder support groups that emerged during this time were directly related to the women's health and education movements.
How did the medical profession conceptualize anorexia nervosa in the late 20th century?
-The medical profession conceptualized anorexia nervosa as a complex mental illness that was both challenging to diagnose and treat. Medical education materials, such as lectures and slides, presented anorexia nervosa as a cycle of starvation, control, and resistance to change. The typical patient profile emphasized was of a white, well-educated, and prosperous young woman, and the disease was often framed within a power struggle between the patient and medical professionals.
What was the impact of the Radcliffe bulimia study on the perception of eating disorders on college campuses?
-The Radcliffe bulimia study, initiated by Norma Wear, was a significant project that led to the widespread recognition of eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa, on college campuses. The study's findings indicated high percentages of college men and women who were classified as having bulimia, which triggered similar studies at other institutions and contributed to a domino effect of increased awareness and educational efforts around eating disorders in higher education.
How did the discourse around eating disorders in the 1980s reflect larger societal trends?
-The discourse around eating disorders in the 1980s reflected larger societal trends such as the rise of neoliberalism, the emphasis on individualism, and the fragmentation of social networks. The invisibility and isolation associated with eating disorders mirrored the broader social changes of the time, which included a focus on privatization and a rejection of state interventions.
What are the challenges and considerations when using historical records covered by HIPAA in research?
-While Dr. Weinreb has not directly worked with HIPAA-regulated sources, she has encountered private and personal materials in her research, such as letters and diaries. The challenge lies in respecting privacy while using these personal narratives to understand historical contexts. She approaches this by not reproducing sensitive information but considering it for understanding how people grappled with eating disorders at the time.
Outlines
🎓 Introduction to the James H Cassidy Memorial Lecture
Dr. Jeff Resnik, a historian at the National Library of Medicine, opens the 15th annual James H Cassidy Memorial Lecture, part of the NLM's 2024 history talks series. He emphasizes the series' goal of promoting awareness and use of historical collections for biomedicine and social sciences. The lecture also honors Dr. James H Cassidy's contributions to the field, highlighting his awards and scholarly work. Dr. Resnik introduces Dr. Alice Weinreb, an associate professor at Loyola University in Chicago, who will discuss her research on the rise of eating disorders in the late 20th century.
📚 The Archival Research of Eating Disorders
Dr. Weinreb discusses her work-in-progress on the history of eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, in postwar America. She outlines her methodological approach, which involves examining various archives from eight countries. Her research focuses on the construction of 'eating disorder archives' and the social actors involved. She also addresses the rise of anorexia nervosa as a national crisis in the late 1970s to early 1990s and the creation of bulimia nervosa archives on university campuses.
📉 Media Portrayal and Public Perception of Anorexia
The paragraph details how anorexia nervosa entered mainstream media and public consciousness, largely due to the publication of Hilda Brook's book 'The Golden Cage' and the subsequent novel and TV movie 'The Best Little Girl in the World.' The death of pop star Karen Carpenter further elevated awareness, with anorexia nervosa being cited as the cause. Media advertisements from the era emphasized the dangers of the disease, contributing to the perception of anorexia as a significant health crisis.
👩⚕️ Medical Education and the Understanding of Anorexia
Dr. Weinreb explores the role of medical education in shaping the understanding and treatment of anorexia nervosa. She discusses the integration of the disease into medical school curriculums, the use of visual aids to teach about the illness, and the portrayal of anorexia in medical lectures and materials. The narrative describes the anorexic patient profile and the challenges faced by medical professionals in treating the disease.
💪 The Complexities of Treating Anorexia
This paragraph delves into the complexities and perceived difficulties in treating anorexia nervosa. It highlights the power struggles between medical professionals and patients, as well as the emotional and physical challenges faced by those suffering from the disease. The narrative also touches on the role of media in shaping perceptions of anorexia and the influence of feminist perspectives on understanding the illness.
🌐 The Global and Intersectional Approach to Eating Disorders
Dr. Weinreb's research aims to provide a global perspective on eating disorders, challenging the notion that they are primarily American diseases. She discusses the different cultural narratives and understandings of anorexia in various countries, emphasizing the need to consider a multitude of stories and experiences. The talk also addresses the racialization of eating disorders and the pushback against the idea that they are exclusive to white, female populations.
🏛️ The University Response to Eating Disorders
The paragraph discusses the administrative response of universities to the rise in eating disorders among students. It outlines the development of policies and infrastructures to address the issue, including the establishment of support groups, educational programs, and health services tailored to eating disorders. The narrative also highlights the role of individual institutions and administrators in shaping these responses.
🌈 Challenging Gender and Sexuality Norms in Eating Disorder Narratives
Dr. Weinreb addresses the gendered nature of eating disorders, noting the societal emphasis on female food consumption as a source of pathology. She discusses the intersection of eating disorders with gender and sexuality, including the portrayal of male patients as gay or bisexual and the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in relation to disordered eating. The talk also touches on the lesbian fat liberation movement and its impact on understanding the relationship between queerness and eating disorders.
📚 Conclusion and Future Research
In conclusion, Dr. Weinreb reiterates the importance of her research in understanding the historical and global context of eating disorders. She invites further questions and discussion, expressing her interest in continuing to explore the topic and its various dimensions. The National Library of Medicine thanks Dr. Weinreb for her insightful talk and offers their resources for future research endeavors.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Anorexia Nervosa
💡Bulimia Nervosa
💡Eating Disorders
💡National Library of Medicine (NLM)
💡Medical Education
💡Feminism
💡Health Crises
💡
💡Hippa
💡Intergenerational Trauma
💡Queer Community
💡Racialization of Diseases
Highlights
Jeff Resnik introduces the 15th annual James H Cassidy Memorial lecture, emphasizing the importance of historical collections for biomedicine and social sciences.
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) promotes the diversity of its collections, which span 10 centuries and originate from around the globe.
Dr. James H Cassidy, a renowned historian of medicine, received every major honor from the American Association for the history of medicine.
Dr. Alice Weinreb, associate professor of history at Loyola University in Chicago, is introduced as the speaker for the event.
Dr. Weinreb's work focuses on the history of eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa and bulimia, in the late 20th century.
Her research utilizes material from several dozen archives in eight countries, including medical libraries and feminist archives.
The lecture discusses the rise of eating disorders as a central category of mental illness in the United States during the late 20th century.
Hilda Brook's book 'The Golden Cage' was pivotal in bringing anorexia nervosa to the attention of a lay audience.
The 1983 death of pop star Karen Carpenter, attributed to anorexia nervosa, marked a significant moment in the public awareness of the disease.
Eating disorder wards and residential treatment programs rapidly opened across the U.S. in response to the perceived crisis.
Medical education materials played a crucial role in shaping the understanding and treatment of anorexia nervosa among practitioners.
Second wave feminists framed anorexia nervosa as a symbol of modern womanhood and female oppression, influenced by post-war consumer capitalism.
The establishment of eating disorder support groups was closely related to the Women's Health and education movements of the 1970s.
The media played a significant role in creating a sense of crisis regarding eating disorders, particularly among youth.
The designation of a national Eating Disorders Awareness Week by Congress in 1991 signifies the broad acceptance and awareness of these disorders.
Dr. Weinreb's research aims to provide an origin story for the global epidemic of eating disorders, which have become normalized in modern life.
Transcripts
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