All about eating disorders

Photographer : bejealousofme @ flickr

The number of Australians with eating disorders has doubled in the past decade, with one in 20 Australian women admitting to have suffered from an eating disorder. The fixation of self-starvation also continues to tear down the lives of children, adolescents, and men; but how much do we really know about this disease phenomenon?

What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder occurs when dieting, eating behavior, and thoughts about body shape or weight become the focus of one's life. Eating disorders often evolve as a way of dealing with underlying unresolved emotional and psychological issues.

 What causes an eating disorder?

Anyone can suffer from an eating disorder. Adolescents are particularly susceptible. The overwhelming need for acceptance from peers and the search for peer approval can motivate individual behaviour. For example, while fashion endorses the thin female body shape, so too do social groups.

Types of eating disorders

Aneroxia Nervosa (Anorexia)

Anorexia is characterised by extreme weight loss within a short period of time. Anorexia sufferers generally rid all food intakes through vomiting, obsessive exercise and by refusing to eat at all. Anorexia is caused by low self-esteem. In most cases, victims are unhealthily thin; however, when they look at themselves in the mirror they are disgusted with the reflection that they see before them

Bulimia

The most common emotions motivating bulimic victims are feelings of guilt and shame when confronted with food. A bulimic sufferer will reject all of their rations by forcing themselves to vomit, taking large doses of laxatives, or through periods of not eating.

Described as the hidden illness, bulimic victims are not easy to spot. Some sufferers have been known to hide their illness for eight to ten years before seeking help.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder occurs when a person consumes large amounts of food in a short period of time. Sufferers tend to believe they have no control over how much food they eat. Instead of purging, binge eaters overindulge, to the point where they feel uncomfortably full or ill. Binge eating disorder is seen as a way to hide feelings, to fill a void inside, and to cope with daily stresses and problems.

Compulsive exercising

We all feel the need to exercise now and again; but when does exercising become dangerous? A compulsive exerciser feels pressure to exercise on a regular basis, and is overcome by guilt and distress if they fail to comply with their obsession. According to Kids Health, sufferers often define their self-worth through their athletic performance and try to deal with emotions like anger or depression by pushing their bodies to the limit. In sticking to a painstaking workout schedule, they seek a sense of power to help them cope with low self-esteem. Research suggests that excessive exercise is reverted to by males who are dissatisfied with their body shape and size.

Can men become victims to eating disorders?

According to EDA, men make up about 10 per cent of all eating disorder sufferers. Like females, males struggle to find a balance with body image.  A great pressure has been put on many males in the sporting industry, particularly wrestlers and boxers, to maintain a certain weight or amount of muscle. Because exercise is encouraged in males, problem behaviour may go unnoticed for longer.

Is it treatable?

Eating disorders diagnosed in the early stages are treatable. If you think you have an eating disorder you should make an appointment with your doctor.

Generally, physical complications of an eating disorder will resolve, once healthy eating and normal weight have been achieved. Dieticians or nutritionists are also recommended in the treatment of eating disorders, as well as support groups offered by people who have had experience with eating disorders.

Technology as a factor

The internet is now being used to ‘support’ eating disorders, as the term intends. With over 400 pro-anerorixic web sites accessible, blogs and forums are now being used to post pictures and comments encouraging the disease.

Visitors are also bombarded by images of waif-thin models and movie stars. Despite government attempts to shut down all pro-eating disorder websites, the pro-eating disorder community still exists today.

On the other hand, online organisations such as The Butterfly Foundation continue to support Australians diagnosed with eating disorders through the introduction of positive programs like ‘Body Think’, a training program to help young people develop their self esteem, body image and media literacy.

What is being done?