Eating Disorders Eating disorders are characterized by severe disturbances in eating behavior. The practice of an eating disorder can be viewed as a survival mechanism. Just as an alcoholic uses alcohol to cope, a person with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or restricting to deal with their problems.

Some of the underlying issues that are associated with an eating disorder include: low self-esteem low self-esteem depression depression feelings of loss of control feelings of loss of control feelings of worthlessness feelings of worthlessness identity concerns identity concerns family communication problems family communication problems an inability to cope with emotions an inability to cope with emotions

Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia is a disorder where the main characteristic is the restriction of food and the refusal to maintain a minimal normal body weight. Anorexia is a disorder where the main characteristic is the restriction of food and the refusal to maintain a minimal normal body weight. Any actual gain or even perceived gain of weight is met with intense fear by the Anorexic. Any actual gain or even perceived gain of weight is met with intense fear by the Anorexic.

Anorexics experience body image distortions. Those areas of the body usually representing maturity or sexuality including the buttocks, hips, thighs and breast are visualized by the Anorexic as being fat. Anorexics experience body image distortions. Those areas of the body usually representing maturity or sexuality including the buttocks, hips, thighs and breast are visualized by the Anorexic as being fat.

For some Anorexics, weight loss is so severe there is a loss of menses. For some Anorexics, weight loss is so severe there is a loss of menses. In the obsessive pursuit of thinness, Anorexics participate in restrictive dieting, compulsive exercise, and laxative and diuretic abuse. In the obsessive pursuit of thinness, Anorexics participate in restrictive dieting, compulsive exercise, and laxative and diuretic abuse. If Anorexia Nervosa is left untreated, it can be fatal. If Anorexia Nervosa is left untreated, it can be fatal.

Bulimia Nervosa Bulimics are caught in the devastating and addictive binge-purge cycle. Bulimics are caught in the devastating and addictive binge-purge cycle. The Bulimic eats compulsively and then purges through self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, ipecac, strict diets, fasts, chew-spitting, vigorous exercise, or other compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. The Bulimic eats compulsively and then purges through self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, ipecac, strict diets, fasts, chew-spitting, vigorous exercise, or other compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain.

Binges usually consist of the consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time. Binges usually consist of the consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time. Binge eating usually occurs in secret. Binge eating usually occurs in secret. Bulimics, like Anorexics, are also obsessively involved with their body shape and weight. Bulimics, like Anorexics, are also obsessively involved with their body shape and weight. The medical complications of the binge- purge cycle can be severe and like Anorexia can be fatal. The medical complications of the binge- purge cycle can be severe and like Anorexia can be fatal.

Compulsive Overeating Compulsive Overeaters are often caught in the vicious cycle of binge eating and depression. Compulsive Overeaters are often caught in the vicious cycle of binge eating and depression. They often use food as a coping mechanism to deal with their feelings. They often use food as a coping mechanism to deal with their feelings. Binge eating temporarily relieves the stress of these feelings, but is unfortunately followed by feelings of guilt, shame, disgust, and depression. Binge eating temporarily relieves the stress of these feelings, but is unfortunately followed by feelings of guilt, shame, disgust, and depression.

Binge eating, like Bulimia, often occurs in secret. Binge eating, like Bulimia, often occurs in secret. It is not uncommon for Compulsive Overeaters to eat normally or restrictively in front of others and then make up for eating less by bingeing in secret. It is not uncommon for Compulsive Overeaters to eat normally or restrictively in front of others and then make up for eating less by bingeing in secret. For other Compulsive Overeaters, binges consist of “grazing” on foods all day long. Similar to Anorexics and Bulimics, Compulsive Overeaters are constantly struggling and unhappy with their weight. For other Compulsive Overeaters, binges consist of “grazing” on foods all day long. Similar to Anorexics and Bulimics, Compulsive Overeaters are constantly struggling and unhappy with their weight. The number on the scale often determines how they feel about themselves. The number on the scale often determines how they feel about themselves. Medical complications can also be severe and even life threatening for Compulsive Overeaters. Medical complications can also be severe and even life threatening for Compulsive Overeaters.

Course and Outcome for Eating Disorders The onset for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa is usually during late adolescence or early adulthood. The onset for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa is usually during late adolescence or early adulthood. The illnesses usually begin following a stressful life event. The illnesses usually begin following a stressful life event. Many eating disordered individuals feel out of control with their life and through the practice of the eating disorder get a false sense of control. Many eating disordered individuals feel out of control with their life and through the practice of the eating disorder get a false sense of control. They often went through a period of being overweight and being teased or felt left out because of their weight. They often went through a period of being overweight and being teased or felt left out because of their weight. Their first attempts at weight loss were often met with success and positive comments from their family and peers. Their first attempts at weight loss were often met with success and positive comments from their family and peers.

Of individuals with eating disorders, 77% usually practice their eating disorders between 1 and 15 years. Of individuals with eating disorders, 77% usually practice their eating disorders between 1 and 15 years. Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental disorders with up to 10% succumbing to death as a result of starvation, cardiac arrest, or suicide. Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental disorders with up to 10% succumbing to death as a result of starvation, cardiac arrest, or suicide. The mortality rate for females between the ages of 15 and 24 suffering from Anorexia Nervosa is 12 times higher that the mortality rate for all other causes of death in this age group. The mortality rate for females between the ages of 15 and 24 suffering from Anorexia Nervosa is 12 times higher that the mortality rate for all other causes of death in this age group. Eating disorders are most successfully treated with early diagnosis. Eating disorders are most successfully treated with early diagnosis. For anorexics that receive treatment, 40% recover completely, 40% make only partial recovery, and 20% have chronic problems. For anorexics that receive treatment, 40% recover completely, 40% make only partial recovery, and 20% have chronic problems. For bulimics, 50% recover completely, 35% have some bulimic episodes, and 15% still have chronic problems with their bulimia. For bulimics, 50% recover completely, 35% have some bulimic episodes, and 15% still have chronic problems with their bulimia.

The following are statistics and facts that document how obsessed we are as a society with the pursuit of thinness. Over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005). Over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005). Girls who diet frequently are 12 times as likely to binge as girls who don’t diet (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005). Girls who diet frequently are 12 times as likely to binge as girls who don’t diet (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005). 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner (Collins, 1991). 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner (Collins, 1991). 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat (Mellin et al., 1991). 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat (Mellin et al., 1991). The average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5’11” tall and weighs 117 pounds. The average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5’11” tall and weighs 117 pounds. Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women (Smolak, 1996). Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women (Smolak, 1996).

46% of 9-11 year-olds are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets, and 82% of their families are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets (Gustafson-Larson & Terry, 1992). 46% of 9-11 year-olds are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets, and 82% of their families are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets (Gustafson-Larson & Terry, 1992). 91% of women recently surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting, 22% dieted “often” or “always” (Kurth et al., 1995). 91% of women recently surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting, 22% dieted “often” or “always” (Kurth et al., 1995). 95% of all dieters will regain their lost weight in 1-5 years (Grodstein, et al., 1996). 95% of all dieters will regain their lost weight in 1-5 years (Grodstein, et al., 1996). 35% of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders (Shisslak & Crago, 1995). 35% of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders (Shisslak & Crago, 1995). 25% of American men and 45% of American women are on a diet on any given day (Smolak, 1996). 25% of American men and 45% of American women are on a diet on any given day (Smolak, 1996). Americans spend over $40 billion on dieting and diet-related products each year (Smolak, 1996). Americans spend over $40 billion on dieting and diet-related products each year (Smolak, 1996).

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle Your body needs food for energy! Your body needs food for energy! Listen to your body, eat when you are hungry. Listen to your body, eat when you are hungry. Know when you have had enough. The goal is to feel content--not uncomfortably stuffed but not starving either. Know when you have had enough. The goal is to feel content--not uncomfortably stuffed but not starving either. Eat exactly what appeals to you. Everything is acceptable in moderation. Eat exactly what appeals to you. Everything is acceptable in moderation.

And people wonder why our image of beauty is distorted?