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Way to Go, Miss America!

by angelique on January 30th, 2008

Though I rarely watch pageants anymore, I don’t necessarily blame them for promoting eating disorders (though they normally don’t help the cause.)  In fact, I’ve met some successful pageant gals who are extremely fit and healthy and who have absolutely no intention of starving themselves for a crown or a trophy.

However, I can’t ignore the fact that when I watched the Miss America pageant as a teen, I always thought, “Man… if only I could be as thin as those girls!” 

Could those wishes have helped fuel my anorexia?  Perhaps. 

Fortunately, 2008 has brought about a very exciting change in Miss America’s overall attitude toward EDs.  In fact, recently crowned Kirsten Haglund of Michigan has made education and awareness of EDs one of her pet platforms.  Additionally, she refuses to give out her weight, lest the number trigger others to excessively diet.

Haglund reportedly suffered from anorexia several years ago, but fortunately got the right kind of early intervention to avoid years of pain.  Today, she is quoted in a Yahoo! news story as declaring that “chocolates are a girl’s best friend.”  That comment made me smile.

It’s a new day.  And although we have miles to go before we sleep (on a full stomach), I see positive outcomes for the newly crowned “queen”.

What about you?  Is Haglund good for the cause, or is she just another person saying what she thinks people want to hear?

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POSTED IN: Celebrities