Andrea Smeltzer was, as her parents described, vibrant, talented and strong. At age 19, Andrea died in her sleep from an electrolyte imbalance caused by her struggle with the eating disorder bulimia.

As a result of her death, her parents, Doris and Tom Smeltzer, have started the Andrea’s Voice Foundation in hopes of raising awareness of the severity of eating disorders and carrying out Andrea’s dream of changing the world.

“The sooner you start getting help the greater your chances of recovery become. Hope and recovery are always possible, no matter what,” said Michelle Roling, licensed mental health counselor, certified eating disorder specialist, clinician, clinical supervisor, speaker and trainer.

This week is 2016’s National Eating Disorder Awareness week, and Doris and Tom Smeltzer came to Iowa State in order to speak to students about not only Andrea’s story but also about the ways in which eating disorders can be recognized, treated and hopefully cured. 

With today’s emphasis on mirroring the media’s standards of “ideal beauty” it has become increasingly difficult for individuals to remain body positive. 

“I think that the media has shaped the way people see themselves in many different ways,” said Thalia Espinoza, sophomore in biology. “They’ve created almost unrealistic images of how you should look. Even with the models who many seem to think are perfect.” 

When Doris and Tom had the opportunity to talk with Amy O’Connor, the editorial director of Self magazine, O’Connor noted that before deciding on a cover for each edition of the magazine the staff would sit around a table and ask one question, “Would this make women feel bad about themselves?” If the answer was yes, the cover would run.

Advertisements shaping a culture that promotes unrealistic and oftentimes unhealthy beauty standards and goals can be found almost anywhere in the United States. With a diet advertising industry worth more than $60 billion, eating disorders are growing for women and men.

“Every year the numbers go up,” Roiling said. “We aren’t seeing a stagnant level. The numbers of eating disorders are increasing especially for men and women over 60.”

The fact that men experience eating disorders was something Doris and Tom were sure to mention. 

Since the issue of eating disorders is oftentimes considered a feminine issue, men feel less open about getting treatment and coming forward with their illness. 

“The biggest problem with eating disorders is the silence,” Doris said. 

Doris and Tom, along with people such as Roling, who started the non-profit Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa, hope to change the culture of silence and bring recovery and hope for victims of eating disorders by giving them the courage to use their voice.

Writing journals and poetry was one way in which Andrea Smeltzer used her voice and expressed her feelings about life and her eating disorder.

Her parents shared parts of these journal entries in order to inspire and help those going through similar things.

Through sharing Andrea’s story, trying to eliminate the ideas of fat talk and dieting and encouraging individuals to believe in their self worth, Doris and Tom hope to change the culture one person at a time and play a part in getting recovery for those affected by eating disorders.

“Part of recovery is reclaiming your voice,” Doris said.