Miss America News!
Youngest Miss America ever crowned says she plans to draw media attention to eating disorders —
[Jan. 16]
Miss America 2011 has been crowned and she is the youngest girl ever to win the coveted beauty award. Who is Miss America 2011? Her name is Teresa Scanlan and the pretty blond says she plans to use her new star power to champion eating disorders. Her announcement begs the big question — who is Teresa Scanlan and has she overcome an eating disorder herself to win the crown?
WHO IS MISS AMERICA 2011?
Hollywood Gossip says, “The 17-year old from Gering, Nebraska was named the youngest champion of all-time on Saturday night, earning the crown by perfroming “White Water Chopsticks” on the piano. She was the only contestant to neither sing nor dance.”
The celebrity news and rumors website went on to share:
A graduate of Scottsbluff High School, Scanlan has earned a $50,000 scholarship and will attend Patrick Henry College in the fall.
During her year-long tenure, Teresa said her main focus will be on eating disorders and how they affect her generation.
The site did not reveal why Miss America feels so passionately about bringing attention to eating disorders. However, the health and fitness story is sure to reveal more during her year of crown wearing and waving.
Health and fitness sites like the South Carolina Department of Mental Health share the following disturbing statistics about eating disorders, sharing the following:
- It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder – seven million women and one million men
- One in 200 American women suffers from anorexia
- Two to three in 100 American women suffers from bulimia
- Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder (Note: One in five Americans suffers from mental illnesses.)
- An estimated 10 – 15% of people with anorexia or bulimia are males
Do you think something like eating disorder causes are the right cause for a beauty queen to champion — especially while most of the pageant contestants over the years have been those most likely to have perpetuated the myth women had to be stick figure thin and perfectionists to be considered in and of themselves a trophy wife and pop culture icon that represents the country?
With star celebs like Jessica Simpson struggling with up and down weight and celebrity diets, she’s also come out to advocate natural beauty. Will the new Miss America do the same?
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