The Fourth of July ... Celebrating Independence, Fireworks, Hot Dogs and Binge Eating Disorders

On July 4th each year, we Americans celebrate our nation's independence both in the United States and abroad wherever its citizens may be found. On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence. And whether one looks upon this historic writing as one of the greatest pieces of American literature, a philosophical tract setting forth natural, inalienable rights, or merely a formal declaration of war against a foreign, sovereign power, “Independence Day” is revered by millions of Americans.

Americans celebrate Independence Day by observing fireworks, by attending or participating in parades, by enjoying a day or evening at the  ole ball park, by remembering or honoring those who labored so hard, or paid the ultimate price, for our freedom, by spending time on boats on lakes, rivers, bays and oceans … and by celebrating the most grotesque and garish display of the worst type of binge eating disorder imaginable.

As has happened every year since 1972, a horde of people attracted to the macabre and who are otherwise racing to the bottom of the cultural barrel, will gather at the original Nathan’s Hot Dog Stand on Coney Island in New York and will watch and “cheer on” both male and female competitors entered in Nathan’s “In”Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Many will wear foam hot dogs on their heads and proudly don shirts exhorting the virtues of their favorite eater. This year, the sensitive, erudite sponsors at Nathan’s are expecting a crowd in excess of 40,000 as a television audience of 2,000,000 souls tune into ESPN.

In its marketing campaign, Nathan’s proudly asserts that its reigning champion, Joey Chestnut set a “world record” by consuming 73 hot dogs (and buns) in 10 minutes.  This is the equivalent of eating 16 pounds of food, which has the approximate weight of 42 billiard balls.  Nathan’s also trumpets that he consumed approximately 12,000 calories or the rough equivalent of four (4) complete Thanksgiving dinners.

Nathan’s has established an eating “Hall of Fame,” to the winner of the competition goes a mustard yellow “champion’s belt,” and that competition as well as about 80 others, is overseen by the organization, Major League Eating and the sport’s (?) governing body, the International Federation of Competitive Eating.

Nathan’s then praises, with an almost awe-like reverence, its competitive eaters by stating that many practice for the main event by stretching their stomachs through quickly drinking gallons of milk or water or eating lots of fibrous foods, like watermelon or oatmeal in a matter of minutes.

Finally, Nathan’s states, “… most professional competitive eaters are very fit.”  This statement is followed by the additional gem, “Most also eat healthy, low-calorie diets after competitions.  Why? Because their stomachs are so stretched out, they can no longer tell when they are full.”

After attempting to swallow, like so many half digested hot dogs, this pablum regurgitated forth in its marketing material, let’s focus on what Nathan’s does not state about its “sports competition.”

Nathan’s does not tell us that binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States affecting three times the number of persons diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia combined. Binge eating disorder is more common than breast cancer, HIV and schizophrenia. Nathan’s omits to advise that binge eating disorder affects both men and women and crosses all age groups, races and income levels. The health risks associated with binge eating disorder include diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoarthritis and of course… death.

Comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and addiction are common for those suffering from binge eating disorder. Certainly this is quite understandable for that group of people who measure their self-worth by subjecting themselves to public ridicule as they attempt to consume a grossly excessive number of hot dogs while an adoring public watches, that is until the next very important tweet or instagram photo comes across their smart phone.

But then again, after all, it is just an eating disorder. How serious can it be? Shirts saying, “Anorexia, it’s like Bulimia with Self-Control” and “I Beat Anorexia” (available only in sizes XL and larger) are being peddled on Amazon. Society believes that it is merely a rich, little white girl's disease. Like many things, society got that one wrong as well.

Had Nathan’s done its research it would have discovered that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. It would have also discovered that once every sixty-two minutes, someone dies as a direct result of an eating disorder. Once Every Sixty-Two Minutes. But the seriousness of this disease and its deadly nature may otherwise spoil the high noon hijinx and cut into Nathan’s profit margin and we simply cannot have that.

The Fourth of July. The day our forefathers ratified one of the greatest works of  American literature ever written. The day that we, as a nation, stood tall and proudly announced that we would no longer be governed by a foreign power. A day that initially set us forward on a path to greatness as we became a nation of great thinkers, great artists, industry giants and world leaders. And today? We have been relegated to cheering on seriously flawed persons performing like carnival sideshow attractions as they consume pounds of hot dogs for our amusement. And all the while, we ignore the Visigoths at the gates.