The Capital Virtue that counters gluttony is one I find young and old women tend to forget: temperance.
I grew up with a family that celebrated through gathering around a table covered in an assortment of delectable plates like smoked pork, grilled steak, succulent flan and chocolate cake. Everyone would grab a plate, a fork, a knife and a napkin before picking chunks of meats or sweets off of each plate. Then, everyone would have a seat in the yard, by the poolside, and try to beat the mosquitoes to the meal. My family would win most battles with the insects, and, to celebrate those small victories, they’d go for seconds, thirds or even fourths.
I learned to ration my meals through high school because I was fortunate enough to have teachers whom cared about the details. And, as I grew up, I watched the effects of gluttony flutter through my family. The tables became bigger, and the stacks of food on the plates became taller.
Interestingly and ironically enough, overeating and under-eating are both disorders that are and should continue to be taken seriously.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, eating disorders can arise from physical, emotional and social issues. Contrary to popular belief, both males and females can suffer from eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating.
In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder in their lives. By the age of 6, over half of girls in elementary school are concerned about their weight.
Anorexia denies the body its essential daily nutrients; bulimia causes chemical imbalances in the body; and binge eating leads to the same health risks associated with obesity.
Since the 1950s, the rate of development of eating disorders has steadily increased, yet the National Institutes of Health reported that the amount of research dollars allocated to each disorder-affected individual was just $0.94 in 2011.
Young women and men tend to overeat or under-eat for reasons more complicated than the simple human mind is capable of understanding. Young people are easy targets of mass media and advertising. Young people are so afraid of being fat or of seeking help that they turn to an aspect of their lives they feel they can control: their intake of food.
It’s never too early to start teaching your siblings, cousins and children about the prevalence and dangers of improper eating habits. Keep an eye on your family and friends, especially the females, and encourage them to better portion their meals. America can afford a few saved lives.
