Eating Disorders

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"Mirror, Mirror on the wall...who's the thinnest one of all?" According to the National Eating Disorders Association, the average American woman is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 117 pounds. All too often, society associates being "thin", with "hard-working, beautiful, strong and self-disciplined." On the other hand, being "fat" is associated with being "lazy, ugly, weak and lacking will-power." Because of these harsh critiques, rarely are women completely satisfied with their image. As a result, they often feel great anxiety and pressure to achieve and/or maintain an imaginary appearance.

Eating disorders are serious medical problems. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are all types of eating disorders. Eating disorders frequently develop during adolescence or early adulthood, but can occur during childhood or later in adulthood. Females are more likely than males to develop an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are more than just a problem with food. Food is used to feel in control of other feelings that may seem overwhelming. For example, starving is a way for people with anorexia to feel more in control of their lives and to ease tension, anger, and anxiety. Purging and other behaviors to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and to ease stress and anxiety.

While there is no single known cause of eating disorders, several things may contribute to the development of these disorders:

• Culture. The U.S. has a social and cultural ideal of extreme thinness. Women partially define themselves by how physically attractive they are.
• Personal characteristics. Feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and poor self-image often accompany eating disorders.
• Other emotional disorders. Other mental health problems, like depression or anxiety, occur along with eating disorders.

  The National Eating Disorders Association has a list of doctors, nutritionists, counselors, and inpatient and/or outpatient facilities in your area.

• Stressful events or life changes. Things like starting a new school or job or being teased to traumatic events like rape can lead to the onset of eating disorders.
• Biology. Studies are being done to look at genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain that may have an effect on the development of, and recovery from eating disorders.
• Families. The attitude of parents about appearance and diet affects their kids' attitudes. Also, if your mother or sister has bulimia, you are more likely to have it.

Over Exercising

Too much of a good thing can be very bad for you. Just like eating disorders, societal pressures to be thin can also push women to over exercise. Over exercise is when someone engages in strenuous physical activity to the point that is unsafe and unhealthy. In fact, some studies indicate that young women who are compelled to exercise at excessive levels are at risk for developing eating disorders.

Eating disorders and over exercising go hand-in-hand — they both can be a result of an unhealthy obsession with your body. The most dangerous aspect of over exercising is the ease with which it can go unrecognized. The condition can be easily hidden by an emphasis on fitness or a desire to be healthy. Over-exercising is placed in the same class as eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia where individuals deny themselves of adequate nutrition by restrictive eating behaviors.

According to the American Journal of Sports Medicine, a host of physical consequences can result from over-exercising — pulled muscles, stress fractures, knee trauma, shin splints, strained hamstrings, and ripped tendons.

Remember, fitness should be done within limits and integrated into your lifestyle, done in moderation like everything else in life. If exercising is getting in the way of your daily activities or relationships, you may need to slow down.

Additional Information on Eating Disorders:

Publications

1.   Binge Eating Disorder - People with binge eating disorder (BED) frequently eat large amounts of food while feeling a loss of control over their eating. This fact sheet describes the symptoms, causes, complications, and treatment of BED, along with a profile of those at risk for the disorder.

   http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/binge.htm

2.   Eating Disorders - This is a detailed booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments of eating disorders, with information on getting help and coping.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/summary.shtml

3.   Frequently Asked Questions - Anorexia Nervosa - This easy-to-read fact sheet contains information about anorexia nervosa. It gives the definition, causes, signs and symptoms, and the effects it has on the body. It also provides information for pregnant women.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/easyread/anorexia-etr.htm

4.   Frequently Asked Questions - Binge Eating Disorder - This fact sheet contains information on binge eating disorder. It includes what causes it, what the risks are, and how it can be treated.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/bingeeating.htm

5.   Frequently Asked Questions - Bulimia Nervosa - This fact sheet answers common questions about bulimia nervosa. It explains what it is, what the causes are, what the warning signs are, how it affects the body, and what treatment options are available.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/Easyread/bulnervosa-etr.htm

6. Compulsive Exercise (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) - This on-line publication provides information on compulsive exercise, its warning signs, and the serious effects it can have on a teenager's health.

   http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/compulsive_exercise.html

7. Eating Disorder Warning Signs (Copyright © ANRED) - This publication provides information on some of the indications that someone has an eating disorder. It discusses food, appearance, exercise, and social behaviors as well as self injury and other warning signs.

   http://www.anred.com/warn.html

8. Eating Disorders (Copyright © APA) - This fact sheet describes the three main types of eating disorders, who suffers from them, and how a psychologist can help.

   http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=9

9. Eating Disorders (Copyright © MFMER) - The signs, symptoms, causes, treatments, and other information about eating disorders and described in this web site.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eating-disorders/DS00294

10. Eating Disorders and Older People (Copyright © ANRED) - This publication provides information on the risk factors and treatment for eating disorders in middle-aged women. It also briefly discusses eating disorders in seniors.

    http://www.anred.com/elder.html

11. How to Afford Appropriate Treatment for an Eating Disorder: A Guide for Patients & their Families (Copyright © NEDA) - This publication provides detailed information on where to find appropriate treatment, how to find out if it is covered by insurance, what to do if it isn't, and where to get financial assistance for eating disorder treatment.

    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=758

12. How to Help a Friend with Eating and Body Image Issues (Copyright © NEDA) - This publication explains the ways that you can help a friend with an eating disorder by being honest and caring with them.

    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=286&Profile_ID=41175

13. Laxatives and Enemas: Not the Way to Go (Copyright © ANRED) - This on-line resource provides information on the dangers of using laxatives and enemas to control your weight. It also provides a list of steps that can help you stop this habit.

    http://www.anred.com/lax.html

14. Less-Well-Known Eating Disorders and Related Problems (Copyright © ANRED) - This fact sheet briefly describes some of the less-well-known eating disorders and other problems in relation to body image and mental health. It provides information on purging, compulsive exercise, body dysmorphic disorder, muscle dysmorphic disorder, and other conditions.

    http://www.anred.com/defslesser.html

15. Male and female athletes and obligatory exercise (Copyright © ANRED) - This fact sheet describes how to recognize someone who is addicted to exercising, a so called obligatory exerciser, and how much exercise is too much.

    http://www.anred.com/ath_obex.html

16. What's Going On with Me? Evaluating Eating and Exercising Habits (Copyright © NEDA) - This publication provides information on disordered eating. It provides a list of questions you should ask yourself if you think your eating habits are disordered and explains what you can do to get help.

    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=321&Profile_ID=41155

Organizations

1.   National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
2.   National Mental Health Information Center, SAMHSA, HHS
3. Academy for Eating Disorders
4. American Psychological Association
5. Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.
6. National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
7. National Eating Disorders Association
8. Overeaters Anonymous

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 19, 2008.