Original Work Full Conclusions

This is a tedious extension of my interpretations and conclusions from the results of my personally designed survey.

Full Conclusions

Original Work Full Conclusions/Interpretations:

Type 1 results:

Type one responses were extremely similar across the board of the five different members of the group. In summary, the group all were very active (4-6 days a week), most carried on with a strict diet, or weight loss desires, very preoccupied with food, feared weight gain, and all were very normal in eating habits (for example: stopped eating averagely 9.8 p.m., none binge ate before, a few members take vitamins regularly, eats an average of 3-4 meals a day).

When comparing my personal research of high schoolers habits to published research analysis in the book, Intuitive Eating, by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, the responses of Enneagram type one high schoolers were very similar to the “Careful Eater” and the “Professional Dieter”. The Careful Eater is similar to the tendencies found in my five test subjects because it refers to the health and fitness oriented soul, relating to the type 1 personality because they are very focused on being perfect and right so they exercise often, as well as, are very conscientious of their calorie count and track it meticulously. Even more so, I believe the relationship between the Professional dieter relates to the characteristics displayed by these five subjects. A lot of times Enneagram type ones have to be right, morally holy, and perfect. So the tendencies showed evidence to prove that the correlation between those two are correct for my age group of students. Specifically type one’s like to follow diets to stay strict to a particular correctness and regimine. For example, in the responses a subject responded to the reasoning behind her diet as a vegetarian is because a “documentary made her turn vegetarian”. This is a perfect example of how the One can chose a food chose as a path to “whole(holy)ness” so vegetarianism can be motivating because it allows them to be both morally and health-wise “correct”.

In conclusion, High schooler subjects for type one’s, showed similar tendencies as to what is in the Enneagram research. High schoolers that are type ones, are very structured and disciplined adolescents that are very conscious of their health and the need to be the best. Their responses can cause one to believe that they feel the need to “lose weight” or “be fit” due to their common use of diets and intense exercise however they really just want to be correct. If eating this, or doing that is the morally correct or best thing they can do they will do it. This line of thinking is evident in even high schoolers. I predicted that, at Liberty High School, there would be a lot of Type one students, because the school is so competitive that everyone wants to be the best and to be right. However, I didn’t think that those attributes would reflect even into their overall wellness habits, because since they are solely focused on grades or sports, not nutrition. Nutrition has a natural side effect to the other ways you treat your body and the people around you support your body.

Type 2 results:

Type 2’s responses were much different than Type 1’s. Type two across the board were very light weight teenagers, with an average of 128.14 pounds for 15-18 year olds. Furthermore, three out of the seven subjects have noted Depression, self harm, and even 1 with eating disorder. Type Two’s don’t eat as much (2-3 meals a day), stop eating early into the evening (7-9 p.m.), and there is a high rate of dependency on others opinion on their food (average of 3.78). However, two’s have little to none physical activity, don’t follow diets, nor have no relation to planning, shopping, or cooking for meals. These feelings plus the unhealthy behaviors lead to the behavior of majority excessively eating when stressed, uncontrollable binge eating, and thus their eating disorder or depression. According to the eye witness observations and experiences of my Mentor, Casey Bonano, most all ED patients have depression.

According to Intuitive Eating, type 2 high school eaters seem to most likely correlate to the Emotional Unconscious Eater. This particular fashion of eating is summarized as someone whose stress or uncomfortable feelings trigger eating. This Type 2 correlates to Emotional Unconscious Intuitive eater type because the six out of seven type two responses had a change in eating pattern in a period of stress.

A few interesting responses I noticed, were that a subject under the cravings question stated that they “crave exercising”, however their response for physical activity was very little to none (1-2 times a week). If you look at the background information for the subject he is a male, 120 lbs, and 15 years of age. These three factors, his characteristics per type, and Liberty High school atmosphere makes it a safe assumption to assume that he craves exercise due to his small size. He feels inmasculine compared to his peers or even when around females. Enneagram Type 2’s are people that seek to please others and gain the love of those around them, and this subject is the perfect example of wanting to be what everyone wants or expects from him. Another disparity in type 2’s and their eating habits can come from the fact that only one of the subjects claimed to have any support in the planning, preparing, or shopping for meals. Something that is an easy life transition that could educate and encourage the idea of healthier eating.

Type 3 results:

Type threes interestingly enough were all responses from white females. This could be the case due to multiple factors such as the location of the survey, the population that took the survey, and the minimal responses to the survey. Secondly, they all had fairly good meals (avg of 3 meals a day) and an average of about 7.5 hours of sleep a night. Half of the participants are very active, yet more than half would rather eat convenient food than healthy options.

An Enneagram Type 3 are known as the Achiever or the Performer. Similarly their tendencies correlate to those of type 1. That is due to their need to achieve or be best. In the book, The Enneagram of Eating, it describes the Type 3 eater as not emotional, practical, and prestigious. They care deeply to look successful and best (thus using plastic surgery or not eating as much). However our results say different. Many of the responses among the Threes were very similar or all the same. With an average of 4 out of 5 needing support by others to eat a healthy diet. Few to none afraid to gain weight, so this shows that they don’t care about others opinions on their look, (due to societies commonly predisposed standards), and are confident in themselves.

Personally I conclude that the results correlate to the tendencies of a type 1 the best, because many high schoolers believe that they are already the best or (at Liberty High School) that they are high achieving (U.S. is the “most confident” country according to the documentary Waiting On Superman), so the need to strive for that achievement is absent due to the fact that they already did it, now they just need to maintain it by staying good (Type 1).

Type 4 Results:

The Type four responses out of 45 came in with 2 subjects. This is possibly due to the target group that participated, however I’d presume that High school teenagers, known for learning themselves, being different, and finding identity. Four’s identify with no one understanding them and for them being unique, so even as a rare number. I thought type fours would be high among this age group. Interestingly though, both of the responses were from minority ethnicities. This can indicate that in their atmosphere (school) they feel different, unique, or like others can’t understand the true them or their cultures. Furthermore, they both suffer from mental strains (depression and anxiety). Deep sadness due to not being understood, or anxiety that they won’t belong or find a group.

Since there are only two responses it is difficult to make any analysis of a commonality among all of the students that identify as a four.

Type 5 Results:

Only one response- not enough to draw any conclusions

Type 6 Results:

Six out of eleven responses (55% of type 6) responded with depression, self-harm (3), And even stated eating disorder (2). 81% of responses reflect in a physical reaction to an emotional tension or stress. (36% over eat to compensate for emotions, 45% don’t eat for extended periods when stressed, only two participants don’t react). 73% feel guilty or are hesitant to eat, and worry more than others about their body/shape. 2 out of the 11 have gone on an intensive binge eat in the past 6 months. These results indicate an intense emotional connection to food.

According to the Intuitive Eating eating styles, the high school type six follows under the Emotional Unconscious eater. When uncomfortable emotions trigger eating, or in some cases make people neglect their hunger.

According to the Enneagrams diagnosis of the type, they do state their ability to want reassurance from others about their decision which is evident in the results (average of about 3.4 need others support to carry out a healthy diet). Enneagram says that the sixes won’t eat if it “has a face” etc due to a feeling of empathy or foreign to the mind, and the research does show that 73% hold a feeling of guilt when eating food.

The Enneagram type six is stated as a Loyalist. That can translate as steady, routine, or accountable person too. In my research, I think our results almost reflect more of the results of a Enneagram two’s characteristics. That is because they seem to shadow their actions comparatively to their emotions, maybe even the emotions associated to the aspect of fear in a six. A majority of the Sixes state that they experience depression, partially because in high school these kids are trying to find people to cling to and the difficulty find that person or to be that person can add to the emotional toll on a person and their confidence.

Type 7 Results:

All of the participants for the Enneagram type 7 were the older age range (17+). Four out of seven (more than half) have religious meal restrictions. Half are in relationships, and require (an average of 4.6 out of 5) relying on others support to maintain a healthy diet. Almost every meal is eaten at home, yet none participate in the shopping, preparing, and planning of any meals. Interestingly, Type 7th are the enthusiasts, they want to get the most out of life. The quote from the Enneagram of Eating says about type sevens that “Diets = Limits, so it stands to reason why that idea doesn’t appeal”, however more than half of the Liberty High School types sevens follow a diet and rely on others. When looking at the categories of the Intuitive eating guide, type 7s seem to often fall under the “Chaotic Unconscious Eater”, however the results of my research make me judge their situation as though they are intuitive eating trainers. They respect their fullness, and honors hunger without experiencing guilt. I think due to their high rate of relationships, and reliance on others show their types inclusion of people in life, which is common of such extroverts.

Nutrition includes all sides of health including exercise. Sevens typically don’t care if they aren’t the strongest or always at the gym. That is shown through the evidence in the questionnaire because the majority of responses didn’t feel judged or guilty for eating.

In conclusion, the the type 7 responses show character for the development of a strong 7. However, when looking at the intuitive eating descriptions the characteristics that would align with the sevens personality, doesn’t really correlate with the actions of the participants in my survey.

I could simply apply the characteristics with the class clowns, or the students that have a lot of friends or participate often as the sevens. In the stressed states of a type 7 they can run to the type 1, not wanting to be bad or mess up.

Type 9 Results:

Enneagram type 9’s are often known as the Peacemakers. Interestingly three of the responses reflect depression in the participant, and two use marijuana or nicotine products. This is interesting because depression causes sadness and anxiety (not all peace and rainbows), and the use of weed or vaping is breaking the law which can create trouble or stress, which type 9’s work so hard to avoid. On the other hand, depression is a way that can be their reaction to not being able to hold peace so they become so lament, and they can vape to get along with others that might be causing too much commotion or it can relax (“bring peace”) to the participant because of the elixir in the drugs, it is an avoidance of internal conflicts such as anxiety or depression. Majority take vitamins (something that makes them feel like they are taking control of their overall well being thus peace in life), and are active (can be a way to fill time instead of sit in a conflicted home or friend life).

The Enneagram of Eating book, acknowledges the thought that the nines are so disconnected from their bodies so they can result in being overweight (from unconscious eating) or extremely underweight (ignoring body's needs or hunger and forgetting to eat). In my research case this is evident in a few participants. With one 17 year old counting at 95 for their average weight, and a 15 year old that stated to be 160 pounds as an average weight.

In conclusion, Nines need to create peace really result in the lack of peace in their own bodies. Nines are very similar to the descriptions in the Enneagram book.