Eating disorders are a common problem in modern day society. Males and females, all races and different social classes can be affected. Severe eating disorders can come to control a person’s entire life. In a lead up to an interview with Charlotte Allinson, Young People's Participation Manager from B-EAT, iCUBED.us will briefly present some facts and information on the subject.
What is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is an obsession with food and weight that harms a person's well-being. Everyone worries about their weight but people with an eating disorder go to extremes to keep from gaining weight. There are two main eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses. They are treatable, and the sooner someone gets the treatment they need, the more likely they are to make a good recovery.
Eating disorders are NOT choices, passing fads or phases. Eating disorders are severe and can be fatal.
Sources: b-eat.co.uk, familydoctor.org and South Carolina Department of MH websites
 What is Anorexia?
People with anorexia are obsessed with being thin. They don't want to eat, and they are afraid of gaining weight. They may constantly worry about how many calories they take in. They may take diet pills, laxatives or water pills to lose weight. They may exercise too much. Anorexics usually think they're fat even though they're very thin. Severe cases can lead to death.
Source: FamilyDoctor.org - Health information for the whole family
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Individuals with bulimia nervosa experience binge-eating episodes which are marked by eating an unusually large amount of food, usually within a couple of hours, and feeling out of control while doing so. The sense of being out of control is what distinguishes binge-eating from regular overeating. For example, during a binge, an individual may feel compelled to eat, and find it extremely difficult, if not 'impossible' to stop eating.
Binge eating is followed by attempts to "undo" the consequences of the binge by using unhealthy behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, enemas, diuretics, severe caloric restriction, or excessive exercising.
http://www.b-eat.co.uk
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) engage in binge eating, but do not regularly use inappropriate or unhealthy weight control behaviours such as fasting or purging to counteract the binges.
Binge Eating Disorder is more common among individuals who are overweight or obese.
http://www.b-eat.co.uk
The warning signs of an eating disorder include:
Unnatural concern about body weight. An obsession with calories and food.
Using medicines to lose weight, such as diet pills and laxatives.
More serious signs include:
Throwing up after meals / fainting / Not having periods (Girls / Women)
Refusing to eat or lying about the amount eaten and denial of the situation.
Here are some statistics on eating disorders.
8 million or more people in the US have an eating disorder.
90% are women.
Eating disorders are not class bound. Sufferers can be rich or poor.
Eating disorders can start as early as the age of 8.
Source: US National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders:
Amongst teenagers and adolescents, statistics include:
Anorexia is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents.
95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.
50% of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight.
80% of 13-year-olds have attempted to lose weight.
Anorexia nervosa: Between 0.3-1% of young women have anorexia nervosa (which makes anorexia as common as autism).
Bulimia nervosa: Around 1-3% of young women have bulimia nervosa.
Binge eating disorder: Around 3% of the population has binge eating disorder.
Between 4% and 20% of young women practice unhealthy patterns of dieting, purging, and binge-eating.
Source: South Carolina Department of MH.
Anorexia can cause the following health problems:
Stomach problems, heart problems and irregular periods or no periods.
Fine hair all over the body, including the face.
Dry and scaly skin.
If it isn't treated, bulimia can cause the following health problems:
Stomach problems / Heart problems / Kidney problems.
Rotting teeth (from throwing up stomach acid).
Dehydration (not enough water in the body).
Source: FamilyDoctor.org - Health information for the whole family
For more insights into how to overcome or spot the symptoms of eating disorders, please read our interview with B-EAT.
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Comments
Binge Eating? It is a problem.
Binge eating is a disorder that has surfaced over the past 20 years. It was never that big of an issue that has become a problem in obese teens and adults. Binge eating disorder probably affects 2 percent of all adults, or about 1 million to 2 million Americans. Another reality has surfaced that America has 37.6% obese Americans. These numbers are scary but something can and must be done. If every Obese person bought a piece of exercise machinery and worked out for 30 minutes a day. There could be over 30 million pounds of fat shed a day.
A doctors opinion
I would agree with what you are saying. I have been a doctor for just under 20 years now and seeing how many teens come through my practice who are struggling with Anorexia is shocking. Teens seeing these models who have issues themselves and try to copy cat them is a problem. Many parents also blame themselves for the female teenage problem. If you ask for my opinion on who to point fingers at is the Media for false representation via Photoshop and Fake photographs.
These beautiful teenage girls are destroying their bodies and lives with these false images burnt in their heads. One way to point these young women in the right direction is obviously food, but only in special amounts and certain diets. Too much food can hurt more then help.
A few more steps would be to ask your family doctor but if steps must be taken immediately, here are a few things to look at starting. 20 Minutes of activity - to help promote muscle and fat production, This can be as simple as walking and doing something active. Another tip is using a product like the Contour abs system, it can reshape and re-tone your weak muscles. Anything to get your body moving. These small things will help create and build an appetite, which is the goal.
Obesity solution
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the hunger associated with losing weight can seem daunting, and may even discourage many people from maintaining their weight loss program. There are many foods, however, that can suppress appetite. This makes dieting much easier, and increases...
It's all very informative, I
It's all very informative, I am glad i found this article. I was hoping I'll find what causes a person to suffer from eating disorders, there must be a number of known causes, this would make people be even more aware about the risks. Yes, eating disorders are treatable, there is specializedanorexia treatment and bulimia treatment but the timing is very important.
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Why are people so ignorant about eating disorders?
Do exercise daily.Eat only
Do exercise daily. Eat only healthy food.Leave all junk foods.Nowadays people are liking only fitness.So they are using kind of weight loss pils. Don't ever use that.This is my suggestion.
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Regards,
Hello, I searched the net
Hello,
I searched the net for a good book dealing with the mind, body and spirit. Does anyone have good ideas?
Thanks,
Ilchi Lee
Tao fellowship: I like the
: I like the way you have described about eating disorders. Very clear description.
The person suffering with
The person suffering with Anorexia may be abnormally sensitive about being perceived as fat, or have a massive fear of becoming fat -- though not all people living with Anorexia have this fear.