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Eating
Problems
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We have
to eat to live. We must eat on a daily basis in order
to keep our bodies functioning efficiently. But sometimes
we may end up eating in unhealthy ways. Many people have
problems with eating, food, body image and weight. If
these problems become serious and go on over a long period
of time they sometimes get called eating disorders.
So what are exactly are eating
disorders?
Eating disorders are serious unhealthy eating patterns
that impact on our physical, personal and social well
being. People working in this area talk about three main
groups of eating disorders:
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa occurs when a person refuses to maintain
a minimal normal body weight. Weight loss is usually self-imposed.
There are several ways used to lose weight including restrictive
dieting, compulsive exercise, and diuretic and laxative
abuse. Individuals with anorexia have a distorted or unrealistic
body image. They have an intense fear of gaining weight
or becoming fat even though they are underweight. People
with anorexia also commonly feel depressed, irritable,
moody, and anxious and can have suicidal thoughts, particularly
if they feel isolated from family and friends. If anorexia
is left untreated, it can be fatal.
Bulimia nervosa
People with bulimia are involved in a binge-purge cycle
of trying to control their weight and food intake. The
cycle often begins when a person eats a large amount of
food in a short period of time, often feeling out of control
while eating. They then feel guilty about the food they
have eaten so use different methods to purge the food
and calories from the body to prevent weight gain, e.g.
vomiting, using laxatives, diuretics, strict diets, fasts,
and excessive exercise. People often diet when not bingeing
so when they become really hungry they may binge again.
Binge eating usually occurs in secret.
A person's weight may be normal or near normal unless
anorexia is also present. They can also have a real concern
about their body image and often believe self-worth requires
being thin (it does not).
People with bulimia also may experience anxiety, depression,
suicidal thoughts, and withdrawal, as well as social phobia
and fear of humiliation. Bulimia can also result in death
if untreated.
Compulsive Overeating/Binge Eating
Disorder
This is when people binge eat frequently and repeatedly.
Food may be a coping mechanism they use to deal with their
feelings. They may feel out of control and unable to stop
eating during binges. They are often overweight, feel
guilty and ashamed of binge eating and feel depressed.
Attempts to diet often fail and result in them feeling
really hungry and binge eating again.
Do eating disorders affect a lot
of people?
Eating disorders occur in all religions, races, economic
backgrounds and sexual orientations. They affect more
women than men, 95 percent are women, but they do affect
guys too. They can happen at any age, but are more likely
to first happen in adolescence and young adulthood.
What causes eating disorders?
Stress, emotions and peer pressure can affect our eating
habits in unhealthy ways. People eat for a variety of
reasons, not just hunger. They may eat because they are
bored, depressed, lonely, frustrated, angry or stressed.
Eating, purging or restricting what you eat may be used
to deal with problems.
Eating problems might develop
because someone is experiencing other difficulties such
as:
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Depression |
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Feelings of worthlessness or loss of control |
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Difficulty expressing feelings |
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Low self-esteem |
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Anger |
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Anxiety |
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Identity concerns |
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Problems coping with emotions |
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Problems getting on with family and friends |
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Problems at school |
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Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse |
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Strong focus in the family on weight issues |
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High expectations of achievement in a family |
The media often sends messages to people that "thin is
beautiful" so people create an "ideal or perfect" body
image in their minds. They then compare their own bodies
to this "ideal", which results in them having very negative
feelings about themselves and concerns about their body
size and weight. They often think that how their body
looks is directly related to how good they feel about
themselves and their worth as a human being.
What next?
In Auckland there are specialist services to treat eating
disorders and it maybe that a referral to one of these
will help. Professional counselling and treatment is the
best way to treat an eating disorder.
First though, if you or someone you know is having problems
with eating, talking to someone about them is the first
step. This person may be a School Guidance Counsellor,
GP or other professional person you know, or it maybe
an adult you trust like a teacher or member of your family/whanau.
They will help figure out what to do next.
You may want to look at these websites to get more information
about eating problems and disorders.
Or you can contact:
Eating Difficulties Education Network (EDEN)
Phone: 09 378 9309
Email: info@eden.org.nz
EDEN provides a resource centre offering support, information
and referral resources and library services to people
with body image issues and their families and friends.
Also offers satellite services at Auckland University
and Unitec. Provides support groups, workshops, and a
health promotion advisory service and a drop in centre
in Grey Lynn.
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