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Some Interesting Facts About Bodies, Dieting & Eating Disorders:
- Eating disorders affect about a half-million people at
any given time.
- 8-10% of the female population have bulimia.
- 6-10% of those with a eating disorder die, usually from
a heart attack.
- 80% of the female population has dieted before reaching
18.
- 20% of women age 18-29 are trying
to lose weight although they are not overweight.
- Women need a fat level of approximately
22% of the body weight in order to menstruate normally.
- Americans spend over $300 million
a year on diet products.
- Most diets fail (over 90%) in
the long run because healthy eating patterns have not been established.
- There are many health risks
associated with extreme obesity, but it is not a major health hazard to be a few pounds overweight.
- Our bodies are biologically
preprogrammed to weigh a certain amount. Each of us may have a predetermined weight "set point" that our systems automatically
attempt to maintain.
- Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe
could not get a job today in the film industry without going on a diet.
- 5'4"- 142 lb = average height
and weight of an American woman.
- 5'9" -110 lb = average height
and weight of a model.
- 1 in 10,000 females naturally
(without dieting) meet model thin dimensions.
- Every body is a good body, whatever
its size and shape.
- Good health is not defined by
body size; it is a state of physical, mental and social well-being.
- Dieting can make you fat.
- Fat-free foods may have as many
or more calories than their counter parts that do contain fat.
- Thin does not equal fit. You can be heavy and fit.
- Excessive dieting can lead to irritability, depression,
withdrawal, and sexual disinterest.
What is an Eating
Disorder?
Eating disorders are mental disorders that can have serious physical complications.
These disorders may make normal functioning difficult and can become chronic, crippling illnesses and in extreme cases require
hospitalization. There are three main types of eating disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating. These are complex disorders
focusing on issues of eating, body weight, and body shape. Disordered eating can lead to an eating disorder. It is important
to identify eating habits and change them before they become severe.
Compulsive Eating or Binge Eating
A person consumes a large amount of food in a short period
of time (less than 2 hours), but does not engage in purging behavior. This eating is without regard to physical cues signally
hunger or satisfaction. The individual loses the power of choice over food. Driven by forces they don't quite understand or
even recognize to eat more than they need.
Bulimia
A person will eat a large quantity of food in a short period
of time. Then, the person will attempt to rid the body of the food by some method such as by vomiting, using laxative or intense
exercising. This is called the binge-purge cycle. A person may have anorexia and bulimia at the same time.
Anorexia Nervosa
A person actively tries to maintain an abnormally low weight
through severely restricting the intake of food. There is an intense fear of gaining weight and becoming obese. A person also
may engage in purging behaviors even after eating a small amount of food.
Who Has Eating Disorders?
It use to be thought that eating disorders primarily occurred in middle class
Caucasian women. Today, this is not so, there is an increasing number of African-American and Hispanic women with eating disorders.
Although females are more at risk, the number of males with eating disorders is rising. Certain groups in which eating disorders
occur more frequently are:
dancers, cheerleaders, gymnasts, runners, wrestlers and weight lifters.
Consequences
of Having an Eating Disorder
Eating disorders can have a serious and even fatal impact
on the body. The mortality rates may not accurately reflect the number of people who died from eating disorders because of
the long term effect on the body. Even after the person no longer has an eating disorder, the damage to the body persists.
How Do Eating Disorders Develop?
For each individual the cause of the eating disorder will
be different. Several broad causes have been identified including culture and family. In our culture today, thinness is emphasized.
It is portrayed as key to happiness. This perception promotes poor body images which in turn may lead to disordered eating
patterns and eating disorders.
Other identified triggers are family dynamics and poor self-image.
- Dissatisfaction with Self: If I'm not perfect no one will
love me. Will I every be good enough?
- Family pressures and concerns: Do well and be popular for them? Don't make waves?
Why don't they notice me? Be the best to earn their love?
- School and Peer Pressures: Be thin to be popular. Do well so you can get into college.
- Everyone diets all the time. Binge with friends after classes.
- In our culture, physical attractiveness contributes significantly to success in
the social domain. Thinness is an important component of how attractive and desirable a women is perceived to be. Social pressure
to be thin likely promotes poor body images which in turn may prompt dieting efforts.
What
Is Your Body Image and Eating Pattern?
- Do you find yourself preoccupied with thoughts
of food and eating?
- Do you eat large quantities of food in a short
period of time.
- Have you used laxatives, diuretics or diet pills in an attempt to control
your weight?
- Are you continuously dieting or practicing restrictive eating?
- Do you always feel you are "fat" regardless of other people's opinions?
- Are you so dissatisfied with your body that it makes you unhappy?
- Are you fearful of gaining weight or becoming "fat"?
- Does your weight determine how you feel about yourself?
- Do you eat when you get upset or stressed?
- Do you avoid any food that contains fat?
- Do you worry that someone will find out about your eating patterns?
- Do you feel a lack of control over your eating behavior?
- Do you feel self-conscious or embarrassed about eating... sneaking food
or lying about eating habits?
- Do you compulsive exercise which means exercising several hours every
day and feeling you "have to" exercise after eating?
***If you answered yes to many of these questions you might
consider talking with Jeana or a trusted and qualified professional.
What Can I Do if I Think I Might Have an Eating Disorder?
Treatment of eating disorders depends on a number of factors:
the person with the eating disorder, the length and severity of the eating disorder, and the physical health of the person.
Treatment addresses the physical and psychological aspects of the person. A physical exam with electrolyte balance check is
recommended. If the person has been vomiting a dental exam is important. If the person is in poor physical condition, inpatient
treatment may be warranted. Individual and group therapy addresses the psychological issues. Antidepressants may be used to
help alleviate immediate eating problems and mood disturbances. When the eating disorder behavior is under control a consultation
with a dietician is useful. A dietician can give a new approach to eating and teach proper nutrition.
If You Are Concerned Call A Safe Place to Heal At
972-569-8255
You Think a Friend Has an Eating Disorder: What Should You Do?
- Speak up!
Approach your friend gently but persistently. Tell him/her that you are worried about him/her and listen sympathetically.
- Encourage your friend
to talk about his/her problems and feelings.
- Be supportive. It
is the most important thing you can do. Show him/her you believe in him/her. It will make a difference in recovery.
- Don't focus on achievements,
instead talk about his/her inner qualities and strengths. Share your own failures and mistakes.
- Do not expect him/her
to admit he/she has a problem right away. Give it time.
- Do not discuss his/her
weight, eating habits or exercise habits.
- The starving or binge eating is not the important issue.
- Remember these are
only symptoms of other problems.
- Do not tell a person
with anorexia or bulimia to "just go ahead and eat."
- Do not make statements
about weight gained or lost. Focus on mental states.
- Do give him/her
a list of sources for professional help.
- Do talk to someone
about your own emotions if you feel the need. An objective outsider can emphasize the fact that you are not responsible for
your friend; you can only help your friend help him/herself.
- Be a good role model,
practice healthy living.
- Examine your own
attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors about weight and body image. Do you tolerate diversity in body shape and size?
Things to do Instead of Binging
or Purging
Go for a walk.
Relax; practice meditation.
Practice new behaviors and activities, such as self improvement classes and hobbies
for the early evening hours.
Make new rules, such as "No eating in the car" and "Remove binge foods from the
house and car."
Eat without combining reading, working, watching TV, etc.
Talk to yourself. "What is the pay off for bingeing this time?" and "What's not
working? What do I need that I am not getting?"
Leave your binge environment, especially when frustrated, under pressure, stressed,
or bored.
Begin an enjoyable task or project immediately after eating a meal.
Call a friend who knows about your problem and have him/her just listen.
Get enough rest and expand positive relationships.
Carry food to work or school rather than buying it there. Pack healthy, satisfying
food.
Take deep breaths, close your eyes, picture yourself in a field or at the beach.
Turn on quiet music; any method of relaxation helps.
Work on your perfectionism. It is okay not to be perfect about every external matter.
Getting on the scale does not help, it is what's inside that counts.
Learn your triggers, learn your danger zones.
Drink a glass of water.
Other Eating Disorder Sites:
www.Lifescape.com
www.healthyPlace.com
www.shpm.com/articles/eating/index.html
www.mirror-mirror.org/eatdis.htm
www.eatingdisorder.org
www.edrecovery.com/
Books on Eating Disorders:
Cash, T. F. (1997). The Body Image Workbook: An Eight Step
Program.
NewYork: MJF Books.
Fairburn, C. G. (1995). Overcoming Binge Eating.
New York:
Guilford.
Hirschmann, J. R. & Munter, C. H. (1988). Overcoming Overeating:
Living Free In a World of Food.
Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Hollis, J. (1985). Fat is a Family Affair: A Hope-filled Guide
for Those Who Suffer from Eating Disorders and Those Who Love Them.
San Francisco: Harper-Collins.
Hornbacher, Marya (1999) Wasted: A memoir of Anorexia and
Bulemia.
HarperFlamingo.
Kano, S. (1989). Making Peace With Food: Freeing Yourself
from the Diet-Weight Obsession.
New York: Harper & Row.
Orbach, S. (1985). Fat is a Feminist Issue: A Self-help Guide
for Compulsive Eaters.
New York: Berkley.
Orbach, S. (1986). Fat is a Feminist Issue II: A Program to
Conquer Compulsive Overeating.
New York: Berkley.
Roth, G. (1982). Feeding the Hungry Heart: The Experience
of Compulsive Overeating.
New York: Signet.
Roth, G. (1984). Breaking Free from Compulsive Overeating.
New York:Signet.
Roth, G. (1991). When Food is Love: Exploring the Relationship
Between Eating and Intimacy.
New York: Dutton.
Tribole, E. & Resch, E. (1995). Intuitive Eating: A Recovery
book for the Chronic Dieter: Rediscover the Pleasures of Eating and Rebuild your Body Image.
USA: St. Martin’s.
Wolf, N. (1991). The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are
Used Against Women.
New York: Morrow.
Test
To determine if you have an unhealthy relationship with food, take this test.
E-Mail A Therapist!
A Safe Place to Heal
2713 Virginia Parkway, Suite 200
McKinney, Texas 75071
Phone 972.569.TALK (8255) Fax 972.569.8355
Copyright 2005-2008, A Safe Place to Heal. All Rights Reserved.
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