[Cheongchun Report] Wanting to be thin, 'Meokto'? ... Obsession with weight can lead to 'Eating Disorders'

Extreme Weight Loss Methods Like 'Meokto' Shared on SNS
Rising Eating Disorder Patients... 44% Are Women in Their 20s
'Body Profile Encourages Eating Disorders,' Critics Say

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Recently, the number of women in their teens and twenties who admire extremely thin bodies has been increasing. As they frequently encounter celebrities or influencers with slim figures through mass media and social networking services (SNS), they feel compelled to control their weight according to these standards, leading to extreme dietary restrictions. However, excessive obsession with weight can lead to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, so caution is necessary.

Hashtags like 'Gaemalla' and 'Ppyeomalla' Trending on SNS

[Image source=Pixabay]

Recently, on SNS platforms like Twitter, terms such as 'meokto (eating and vomiting)' and 'ssipbat (chewing and spitting)' can be easily found. These users share extreme methods like starving or vomiting with acquaintances and undertake excessive weight loss. Some SNS users post photos of their body shapes, saying "Looking for fasting buddies" to find someone who can motivate them.

Usually, such posts are tagged with hashtags like '#ProAna', '#Gaemalla', and '#Ppyeomalla'. 'ProAna' is a compound of 'Pro-' meaning support and 'Anorexia', referring to people who aim for an extremely thin body or idolize anorexia nervosa. 'Gaemalla' and 'Ppyeomalla' are terms describing bodies so thin that only bones remain.

Among those who prefer thin body types, some seek appetite suppressants like phentermine, commonly called 'Nabi-yak' (Butterfly Pills). These pills are named 'Nabi-yak' due to their butterfly-like shape and require a doctor's prescription; they must not be prescribed to adolescents under 16 years old. However, transactions through SNS platforms such as Twitter and KakaoTalk open chat rooms are openly taking place.

'Nabi-yak' falls under psychotropic drugs designated by the Narcotics Control Act. It is used as an adjunct therapy for weight loss in obese patients, but misuse or abuse can cause physical and psychological dependence, tolerance, seizures, coma, psychotic behavior, and in severe cases, death.

Increase in Eating Disorder Patients like Bulimia and Anorexia Due to Weight Obsession

The social atmosphere favoring thin body types has also led to an increase in people suffering from eating disorders. Eating disorders are mental illnesses characterized by abnormal eating behaviors. They are marked by fear of weight gain and abnormal behaviors such as extreme fasting or binge eating to reduce weight. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are forms of eating disorders.

According to data from the National Health Insurance Service, the number of eating disorder patients increased from 8,168 in 2017 to 10,900 in 2021, with the incidence rate among women being 13 times higher than men. Particularly, women in their twenties accounted for 44.4%, making them the largest group with eating disorders, while teenage girls accounted for 8.3%.

Although anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa share an excessive obsession with weight, their behaviors differ. Anorexia nervosa involves extreme food refusal, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use to become thin. Patients often have a severe fear of weight gain or obesity and may perceive themselves as overweight despite being underweight.

In contrast, bulimia nervosa involves repeated binge eating due to an inability to control the urge to eat, followed by behaviors such as vomiting to reduce weight.

Following the 'Body Profile' Trend Recklessly Increases Risk of Eating Disorders

[Image source=Pixabay]

Some argue that the body profile culture popular among young people has encouraged eating disorders. In the past, body profiles were considered exclusive to professional trainers or celebrities, but recently, they have become a cultural trend mainly among young people.

The problem is that ordinary people often try to shape their bodies for body profiles in a short period, which can trigger health warnings. Professional trainers or celebrities usually manage their body shapes regularly and receive professional care over a long period. However, ordinary people often prepare for body profiles in a short time. Additionally, after taking body profile photos, some develop unhealthy eating habits such as binge eating due to compensatory psychology, so caution is needed.

Meanwhile, eating disorders require diagnosis and treatment by specialists. If there are nutritional problems, nutritional supply should be prioritized, along with behavioral modification programs such as regular meals and daily activities. Depending on the severity of symptoms, pharmacological treatments like antidepressants or anxiolytics may be administered. To prevent and improve eating disorders, recommendations include ▲maintaining regular eating habits ▲keeping a food diary ▲eating slowly to feel full.