Lady Gaga's Eating Disorder Sparks a Body Revolution: What Do You Think?

After being criticized for a recent 25-pound weight gain (and for smoking marijuana on stage at a recent Amsterdam concert), musical sensation Lady Gaga came forward and admitted that she’s been struggling with bulimia and anorexia since she was 15.

Gaga posted a photo of herself on her social media site wearing nothing but a bra and panties and a caption that read, “Bulimia and anorexia since I was 15,” adding “Body Revolution 2013.”

Many fans are following Gaga’s lead, posting photos of themselves in all their flawed glory on her homepage, all using the “Body Revolution” title. And her fan base, contrary to popular misconceptions, seems to include people of all ages.

“At 60, I still see myself as Baby Huey because that’s what my father called me,” posted one fan. “I have two daughters and I’ve never commented on their weight or looks in a negative way. Baby Huey was a big duck in a diaper who was mentally challenged. I am still that duck at 60, but I am learning to love the me inside.”

A younger fan posted a photo of herself and mentioned that she has a lymphangioma in her cheek.

“It is hard to live with it, because everybody is asking me for it,” she posted. “I love my body, but I hate my cheek! I hate it so much! I don’t know what to do! Please monsters, help me loving myself.”

Both fans received more than 1,000 supportive comments from their fellow Gaga fans, as did many other posters who shared their photos of their own flaws and deformities.

Major Media Coverage

Body Revolution 2013 is already being covered by such major media outlets as Jezebel, Good Morning America and MTV as the debate between supporters and critics heats up around the country.

MTV reporter Christina Garibaldi writes that Gaga turned the negative attention around her revelation about her own eating disorder into a positive by creating her Body Revolution page and the movement that goes along with it.

 "My mother and I created the BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION for one reason: to inspire bravery," Gaga said on her site.”This profile is an extension of that dream. Be brave and celebrate with us your 'perceived flaws,' as society tells us. May we make our flaws famous, and thus redefine the heinous."

In another post, the signer asked her fans to post photos of themselves that “celebrates (their) triumph over insecurities.”

The Community Responds

We asked our Facebook community what they thought about Lady Gaga admitting that she struggles with eating disorders.

“Lady Gaga… is my idol! Doesn’t matter what she struggled with. She is human (and) we don't have the right to judge her! Good luck, Lady Gaga,” wrote father-of-two Joe Hess, adding that if you look at all the singers who have problems with drugs and alcohol, Gaga is no different.

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“If we as parents teach our kids the right way and explain to them what is right and wrong, then I don’t see a problem for the kids,” Hess said. “Plus it shows people with problems can come out and still do things. They don’t have to hide from it.”

“I think it's good she came out but I don't like her,” posted Megaan Lynne Fowler. “Think she's trying to be the next Madonna and I don't see it working well.”

Dale Maxfield, also a father of two, posted that whether or not you like Lady Gaga, she’s very honest about herself.

“She also admitted to cocaine use as part of a fascinating article last year in Vanity Fair,” Maxfield said. “It's the same article with the Annie Leibowitz photo of her posing nude for Tony Bennett. She lives frugally and is honest about who she is - for better and worse. You have to admire that.”

“I think in any case, someone will always find a way to criticize,” posted 21-year-old Joe Cuevas. “Her experience was pushing through struggle to find wellness, so why not take it for what it is?”

Former Patch editor Jean Whitney even added her voice to our discussion, posting that she didn’t think it was a big deal.

“Her style is to let everything be out there about herself, so why  not,” Whitney posted. “If people are going to try imitating her (if that’s what some think), I believe they were bound to anyway. It’s a widespread condition.”

What do you think about Lady Gaga’s admission and her new Body Revolution movement? Let’s discuss it! Share your thoughts in the comments section, below.