COURSE: High Impact Speaking
INSTRUCTOR: Megan E. Vogias, M.A. Ed.
COURSE COMPLETED: Fall 2013
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Social Issue Speech
ASSIGNMENT PROJECT DESCRIPTION: As stated in the syllabus “Explore a social issue
that you are passionate about advancing its cause and share these perspectives with the class.
You will need to develop an informative speech of explanation that discusses the social issue,
identifies an agency or group that works to help impact this social issue, and explores some of
the issues associated with making a difference in the domain of the social issue area. The speech
is 5-6 minutes long. You will be required to incorporate four pieces of supporting materials into
your speech...The first source required in your speech must come from experience (either an
interview or service experience).” We were required to write a full sentence outline, which is
what I am providing for you you to read.
REFLECTION: This was the first speech I had to write for my High Impact Speaking course. I
chose to give my speech on male eating disorders, which is a topic I had given speeches on in the
past. This was certainly the most advanced speech I had given on the topic and I believe it was
the best one I’ve given. It was difficult for me to write a full sentence outline because usually my
outlines for speeches are just a basic guideline for me and my speeches are more
extemporaneous in style. For Professor Vogias, the speeches typically memorized because of the
outlines. I ended up writing my speech way to long, which I learned as I was practicing. I cut
down the speech as I practiced and learned what information flowed and what was more
important. The time limit was very difficult for me and I had to cut a lot of important
information. I feel I learned a lot about how to be concise and picking out the most important
information. I do believe if I could give this speech again, I would do an even better job with
picking out the most important information now that I have more experience dealing with the
dilemma.
Social Issue: Males Eating Disorder
Introduction:
I. Attention Catcher: Imagine having a friend who has lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time.
This friend makes excuses no to eat, is constantly working out and seems obsessed with getting the
perfect body. Now imagine that despite all this, you have no idea that your friend might have an
eating disorder. That might seem strange to you, but for many of the estimated 6 million men in the
United States who suffer from eating disorders, their friends and family don’t realize it, often because
it doesn’t even occur to them that it is a possibility.
II. Thesis Statement: Eating disorders have been labeled a female disease and that misconception
often prevents men who have one from getting help.
III. Speaker Credibility: I’ve been periodically researching male eating disorders for the past 6
years and I’ve found that, while the estimated number of men who suffer from eating disorders
continues to rise, the stereotype that eating disorders are s female diseases remains.
IV. Audience Relevance: There is a really good chance that someone in this room knows a male
with an eating disorder and may not even realize it which is why I want to talk about it.
V. Preview Statement: I’m going to give a brief description of eating disorders in general, then I’m
going to talk about what male eating disorders and then I want to discuss the troubles men have with
getting treatment.
Body:
1. Eating Disorders
Transition: Before discussing male eating disorders it’s important to understand exactly what eating
disorders are.
I. Eating Disorders
i. Definition: The Mayo Clinic’s website, which was updated in 2013 defines eating disorder as a
group of serious conditions in which an individual so preoccupied with food and weight that he or
she can often focus on little else. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia
nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
ii. Listener relevance/Age range: Eating disorders can be developed at any age but according to the
National Eating Disorders Association or NEDA’s 2013 Website, the majority of cases are developed
by individuals between the ages of 14 and 25.
iii. According to the same website 20% of individuals struggling with anorexia will die as a result,
which means Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest death rates of any
mental health condition. Generally the longer an individual goes without getting treatment the more
difficult it is to overcome the illness.
2. Male Eating Disorders:
Transition: Now that you know a little more about eating disorders in general I want to focus on
male eating disorders.
I. Characteristics:
i. Similarities: The symptoms and health consequences of ating disorders are fundamentally the same
between genders but in his book “ Making Weight” which was published in the year 2000, Arnold
Andersen, a medical expert on eating disorders, stated that it’s in the psychological development of
anorexia that the key difference lies. Females generally become anorexic because of a desire to be
thin while males typically develop anorexia because of a desire to be fit. According to the 2011
National Association of Males with Eating Disorders website, most men with anorexia aren’t trying
to lost weight, they are trying to gain muscle and develop a lean fit body. They attempt to do this by
excessive exercise and a restricted diet.
ii. Anorexia Athleticism: This behavior is sometimes referred to as Anorexia Athleticism and it can
be particularly dangerous for several reasons. First of all, it is extremely dangerous health wise.
Individuals work out for hours in a day at a very intense pace but then aren’t getting the nutrition that
they need to make up for it. The exercise becomes addictive and generally its extremely difficult to
stop, even if an injury occurs. Often times the body gets completely worn out because it’s not getting
a break. This is also very dangerous because often times friends and family members don’t recognize
this as an eating disorder and actually praises an individual for their hard work which encourages
them to continue.
Listener Relevance: Think about it. Aren’t we generally impressed when guys or girls we know have
the dedication to go to the gym and work out to get fit. Getting fit is generally considered a good
thing and isn’t associated with eating disorders.
Transition: This is one of the main reasons men don’t get help early…
II. Treatment:
i. Lack of Recognition:…friends and family members don’t realize there is a problem. Often times
men don’t even realize they have an eating disorder, either because of denial or they don’t realize
men get them either.
ii. Fear of admitting: Even if a male realizes he has a problem the stereotype that eating disorders are
a female disease will often prevent him from seeking help. In an
interview earlier this month, Lauren Smolar, The Healthline Manager for the National Eating
Disorders Association, stated that there is a stigma that men who develop eating disorders are gay
that often prevents straight males from admitting that they have one. This stigma is a result of eating
disorders stereotyped as feminine (L. Smolar, Personal Communication, September 18, 2013).
iii. Treatment: Even for men who do seek help treatment can be difficult. According to Leigh Cohn
in the 2013 book “Current Findings on Males with Eating Disorders” having a group of only men
going through treatment together is an extremely important part of being able to recover. However,
there are very few clinics in the United States that have programs focused especially towards males.
iv. Named: Despite this difficult situation for males with eating disorders, there is still hope. In 2006
an organization called NAMED was established. In an interview earlier this month, Chris Clark , the
Executive Director of the organization stated that the organization’s primary focus is getting help to
has many men as possible and to change the public’s view on eating disorders.
Conclusion:
Transition: So now you know more about male eating disorders
I. Main points restated: You’ve heard about what eating disorders are, some specific details about
male’s with eating disorder and you know some of the struggles men face in relation to getting
treatment.
II. Thesis Restated: You are aware that the stereotype that eating disorders are a female disease
often prevents males from getting help.
III. Clincher According to the National Eating Disorders Associations website it is estimated that
50% of people personally know someone with an eating disorder, so in this room approximately 10
or 11 of you know someone. According to the NAMED website approximately 25% of individuals
with eating disorders are male, so 2 to 3 people in this room know a male with an eating disorder.
Don’t rule out the possibility that it is someone that you know
Bibliography
Andersen, A., Cohn, L. & Holbrook, T. (2000). Making Weight: Men’s Conflicts with Food,
111Weight, Shape & Appearance. Carlesbad, CA: Gurze Books.
Mayo Clinic(2013) Eating Disorders. Retrieved from
111http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eating-111disorders/DS00294
National Eating Disorders Association (2013) NEDA: Feeding Hope. Retrieved from
111https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
N.A.M.E.D. Inc. (2011) National Association for Males with Eating Disorders, Inc. Retrieved
111from http://www.namedinc.org/index.asp