Thousands of people like Goldstein, many of them Jewish, are battling with eating disorders. Eating disorders can cause harmful medical effects. Anorexics who lose more than 25 percent of their body weight suffer from low blood pressure, a slow heart rate and other problems. Bulimics can damage their esophagus, gums, teeth and kidneys from vomiting so frequently. And compulsive overeaters are higher at risk for coronary heart disease.
Women develop eating disorders for different reasons.
Some feel they'll never meet their parent's expectations. Others, swayed by popular culture, believe that only a thin body can win them love, respect and success. Many have been abused by spouses or fathers. Increasingly, more and more Jewish women are confessing to having eating disorders. So Goldstein, along with Dorothy L. Wexler Chapter of Jewish Women International, organized an eating disorder community education day in Savannah last year that drew 650 teens and preteens from 10 area schools.