Eating Disorders Foundation Executive Officer

Interview with Victoria Frances Sanders, Executive Officer, Eating Disorders Foundation

1. What's the best way to tell if you're at a healthy body weight?

A healthy body weight will be different for everybody because there are many different things influencing it, e.g. our genetics, our lifestyle and how active we are. Generally, a healthy body weight will be the one our body stays at when we are eating normally, that is, when we're eating without guilt in response to our body's hunger and satiety cues, and enjoying physical activity as part of our weekly routines.

It's important to remember that being ‘thin’ doesn’t equate to being healthy. Scales and BMI (Body Mass Index) are not always good indicators of what is healthy and many dieticians and health practitioners now look at an individual's needs and goals rather than what the scales say.

2. How much does what we see and hear in the media impact on the way we feel about our bodies?

The media helps to create cultural definitions of beauty and attractiveness, enforcing the idea that ‘thin is in’. The media is some of the reason as to why we learn to place so much value on size, shape and appearance.

Encouraging the media to present more diverse and real images of people, with positive messages about health and self-esteem, may not eliminate eating disorders entirely, but it would help reduce the pressures many people feel to make their bodies conform to one ideal, and in the process, reduce feelings of body dissatisfaction, and ultimately decrease the potential for eating disorders.

3. What effect do you think TV shows like Extreme Makeover and The Swan (where ordinary people have plastic surgery to 'make their dreams come true') have on young people?

These shows don’t help to encourage people to accept themselves the way they are and learn to love their bodies. They add to the concept that we have to change the way we look in order to be happy and successful, instead of focusing on personal attributes and skills. All this feeds into the idea that we have control over our body shape and size when it is important to keep in mind that our genetic makeup is the main influence. Cosmetic surgery is very expensive and there is a high risk involved—it glamorises these procedures as normal and something to work towards.

4. What is the difference between a focus on dieting and exercise and an obsession with food and body weight? How can magazines and TV shows find the balance?

We are caught in a time where the media is pumping the so called ‘obesity epidemic’ and also diets and stories about body image. Yes, healthy eating and regular exercise are important but there can sometimes be such a focus and pressure on this that we forget about enjoyment. Food is such a huge part of our life, for nourishment and also social, cultural and emotional needs. We need to be aware of our own hunger, satiety and appetite and listen and respond to these. We need to find ways to enjoy physical activity in a sustainable way as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Media can put huge pressure on us to eat and exercise in certain ways, and often provide inaccurate ‘quick fix’ options which can be dangerous and unsustainable.

Control over food and body weight or exercise can become an obsession—or out of control—when it starts to affect other areas of our life. It can stop us socialising, make us feel like bad people because we ate a ‘bad’ food, or make us feel guilty about not exercising.

5. What can we do to support organisations that are helping to treat and prevent eating disorders?

You can support The Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria (EDFV) in a variety of ways. As a non-profit organisation, we are reliant on the valued time of our volunteers who man our Helpline and support groups. Volunteering can be a valuable way of showing support. You can become a member or make a donation to ensure that services continue to grow, by visiting our website at http://www.eatingdisorders.org.au

6. What happens in Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week? How can young people get involved?

Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a national awareness week, which aims to increase the knowledge of body image and disordered eating within our community. It also aims to let people know what resources and support networks are out there and how they can work towards prevention.

Young people could be involved by attending any of the organised events, or by organising their own event at their school or sporting club and letting the EDFV know so it can be included on the calendar. Events this year included: body image forums, conferences on recovery, a comfy clothes day, training for fitness professionals in the prevention of eating disorders, and support meetings and education for parents.

7. Do you think society's recent focus on the benefits of exercise and eating light (to battle the rise in obesity) will be damaging for those who are already too concerned with their diet and weight?

It is important to note that not everything we read in the media is correct and some of the things they suggest for weight management may be harmful and unsustainable in the long term.

We are suddenly in an era of ‘healthism’ where there is an increased focus on being healthy—having low fat foods, no sugar, no colours, no salt —no fun with food! Lots of rules and guilt.

For people who are vulnerable to disordered eating or already unhappy with their bodies this can definitely add to the many things which lead to dangerous dieting and exercise behaviours.

8. What is your opinion of pro-anorexia and bulimia websites? Can having an eating disorder be a 'lifestyle choice'?

These are very dangerous sites, which glamorise and normalise eating disorders. They are easily assessable and can have a huge influence on impressionable people. Eating disorders are classified as a mental illness; they are not a lifestyle choice, or a way of dieting, rather a way of dealing with underlying psychological and emotional issues.

9. One pro-anorexia website lists 57 Reasons for staying thin. Can you give us some good reasons for eating well and learning to love our bodies?

You only get one (body), it's important that you learn to nourish it, respect it and look after it so it will look after you and do all the things you want it to.

Weight loss doesn’t mean good health—"Do not allow the body to attain extreme thinness for that too is treacherous, but bring it only to a condition that will naturally continue unchanged, whatever that may be" Hippocrates, circa 400 BC.

For 20 Ways to Love Your Body go to http://www.eatingdisorders.org.au