Eating Disorders

Articles and Brochures:

• What is an Eating Disorder?
• How to help a Friend With an Eating Disorder
• Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

More articles are available in the Healthy U newsletter and Student Health 101 magazine.

SLIM DOWN, LOSE WEIGHT FAST scream the ads. Bombarded not only by media and societal messages, but also by the messages from each other, many people engage in unhealthy dieting practices, which can have serious consequences for their physical, emotional and mental health. For other females, this pursuit of thinness has already become a lifestyle. Afflicted with serious eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, much of their time, energy, thoughts, and behaviors are spent in the pursuit of thinness.

Anorexia is characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with thinness and dieting which may lead to excessive weight loss. Individuals with anorexia may literally starve themselves. Ironically, despite a low body weight, they often view themselves as “too large” and may not acknowledge that their eating habits are a problem. Some individuals with anorexia may also exercise excessively, vomit, use laxatives, or engage in binge eating.

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by periods of “binge eating” (eating a large amount of food in a discreet period of time), behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercising, etc. to compensate for the binge eating, feelings of being out of control during the binge, and feelings of guilt and shame surrounding the binge. Individuals with bulimia can be underweight, normal weight, or overweight. They tend to have a more realistic perception of their body than do individuals with anorexia, but exhibit great body dissatisfaction.

Both of these disorders can lead to serious physical, mental, and emotional problems. In some cases death can result if these disorders are not arrested. Anorexia and bulimia occur predominantly in females. Males, however, are not immune to serious eating disorders. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of individuals with eating disorders are males. Some athletes may not meet the full diagnostic profile for an eating disorder, but engage in behaviors around weight control that can seriously injure their health and endanger their life.

Eating disorders have many causes. Societal pressures, personality traits, family issues, genetics, and biochemistry have all been found to contribute to the development of eating disorders. We must all be aware of the messages we send each other about the acceptance of various body sizes. Fortunately, eating disorders can be treated. Medication and psychotherapy are most often used. In more severe cases however, hospitalization or more intensive treatment may be needed.

If you or someone you care about may have an eating disorder, call the University Health and Counseling Services at 472-1305 for more information. UHCS offers group as well as individual counseling and referral for individuals with eating disorders. Remember there is hope. Many individuals with eating disorders go on to live healthy, satisfying lives with the help of treatment.

Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

by Marilyn J. Kile, LCSW

If Barbie were life size she would measure 39-23-33, a body shape that is never created in nature! Women in the media all seem to look alike, hollow cheeked, passive, focused on their appearance and extremely thin. It’s a stereotype that sets nine year olds dieting and teaches adolescent girls their developing bodies will never be good enough. The “ideal” size of women in the media has shrunk by one third in the last generation. Marilyn Monroe at a size 14 was average for American women. Today’s models are size 4 and most women can not be that size in a healthy way - yet some are trying. The Centers of Disease Control reports that 62% of teenage girls are dieting to lose weight and many are using dangerous methods such as vomiting, laxatives, diet pills and fasting.

The following list of eating disorder warning signs was developed by Dr. Michael Levine.

1. Always thinking and talking about food
2. Excessive exercising
3. Staying away from activities just because of concern over body weight and size.
4. Concern about being fat when one is a healthy weight
5. Self induced vomiting (rushing to the bathroom after eating, swollen “chipmunk” face)
6. Use of laxatives and diuretics (product or empty wrapper may be left around)
7. Hoarding large amount of food in one’s room or car
8. Frequent large weight gains and losses
9. Less frequent , heavy or loss of menstruation
10. Paleness and dizziness

How to Help a Friend With an Eating Disorder

Do you have a friend struggling with an eating disorder, such as anorexia, bulimia, or a binge eating?

Having an understanding of eating disorders is important for you to better help your friend. Eating disorders are illnesses and not choices. They arise from a variety of physical, emotional, social, and familial issues. All of these issues need to be addressed with the help of a professional for effective prevention and treatment of eating disorders. People with eating disorders have a real mental illness that distorts their body image. They starve themselves to be constantly thinner. This eating pattern can cause organ damage and even death.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), you cannot force someone to seek help, change their eating habits, or change their attitudes. But, you can help your friend by honestly sharing your concerns, providing support, and finding out where to go for more information.

Following are additional ideas from NEDA on what to do to help your friend:

• Learn as much as you can about eating disorders.
• Know the differences between facts and myths about weight, nutrition, and exercise, so you can reason against a friend’s inaccurate ideas.
• Talk opening and honestly with your friend about your concerns.
• Be caring, but be firm. Don’t allow your friend to manipulate you. Your friend must be responsible for her or his behavior. Avoid making rules, promises, or expectations you cannot keep.
• Compliment your friend on her or his wonderful personality, successes, or accomplishments.
• Be a good role model for healthy eating, exercise, and self-acceptance.
• Tell someone else about your concerns for your friend. Addressing body image and eating disorders early before they become life threatening offers a better chance for success in becoming healthy again.
  Eating disorders are not just a "woman`s or a girl’s problem." Males who are preoccupied with shape and weight can also develop eating disorders as well as dangerous shape control practices like steroid use.