Are You A Victim?

Such news is common among celebrities and we may die trying to look like them

This subject is very close to my heart because having gone through literature and done a few studies and editorials, I have come to realize that more women and men than anyone can imagine have at some point battled with an eating disorder.


International research findings prove that eating disorders and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours are becoming increasingly prevalent, not only among women in Western societies, but also among diverse adolescent and young adult populations across cultural boundaries.


Furthermore, the age of onset of these disorders may be decreasing, thus contributing significantly to the increased prevalence thereof.


Symptoms Of Eating Disorders

Is this what you eat? 

Extreme dieting, starvation, bingeing, purging, over exercising and poor body image perception. Do any of these sound familiar?


Historically, eating disorders were predominantly found among white adolescent and young adult females within the upper socioeconomic classes, who lived in socially competitive environments.


However, black females are becoming more dissatisfied with their bodies and developing disordered eating behaviors.
According to http://www.shsu.edu/~counsel/hs/eatdis.html, eating disorders are mental disorders that can have serious physical complications. They can become chronic, crippling illnesses and in extreme cases, require hospitalization.
Now that’s the sad reality, however have a look at the consequences. The following list presents the effects of the eating disorders on the body:


Binge Eating 
• Obesity
• Gallbladder disease
• Heart and respiratory disorders
• Increased risk of diabetes
• Increased risk of high blood pressure 


Bulimia
• Damage to gastrointestinal system
• Erosion of teeth enamel
• Enlarged salivary glands
• Chronic loss of bodily fluids
• Dehydration
• Lung irritation
• Stomach spasms
• Electrolyte imbalance that may lead to heart failure
• Skin rashes
• Menstrual irregularities
• Death 


Anorexia
 • Osteoporosis
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Severe dehydration
• Skin--dry, cracked, rough, grey or yellow
• Nails--brittle
• Hair--thin and dry
• Bruises easily
• Sensitivity to cold
• Amenorrhea--Temporary or permanent infertility
• Cardiac irregularities
• Death


Should You Be Worried? Check Yourself!

You may not be as fat as you see yourself

• 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 more than SEVEN of the above questions, you might be at risk of having an eating disorder.


What To Do
On that health tip, let us dispel some of the myths. Most diets fail (over 90%) in the long run because healthy eating patterns have not been established. Our bodies are biologically pre-programmed to weigh a certain amount. Each of us may have a predetermined weight "set point" that our systems automatically attempt to maintain. Having said all this;


• 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 counterparts 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.


Next week, I will look at healthier ways of achieving physical, mental and social well-being…remember, diets never work, its rather a lifestyle choice that you make that will help you achieve total wellness.



Do you have a question or a burning issue you want to ask me?...Write it down in the COMMENTS section below or fill in the form in the CONTACT US section & I will respond asap.

Stay Healthy!...Thulas!


Pictures:
http://www.auglaizeteenyellowpages.com/EatingDisorders.aspx
http://www.eatingdisorders-sph.org/