Exercise and Eating Disorders

As a public health major i have come to realize the importance of exercise.  It helps to prevent so many chronic diseases, and can also help with depression and eating disorders.  I read an article recently about a woman who feels that exercise has helped her to overcome her eating disorder.  I also read another article that stated the exact opposite.  What do you think?  Take the Poll!

Getting involved

I read a sad article today about an eating disorder treatment center in New York that is shutting down because of lack of funding.  While there are some discrepancies about why the center has closed, the owner states that the lack of support from the medical community where he lives is the main cause. All of the people who were going to the center for treatment are now left alone during a particularly difficult time of year for eating disorder sufferers, Christmas.

While it might not be practical for everyone to get involved with this particular clinic, there are many opportunities to help through donations, service, and fund raising.   The National Eating Disorders Association’s website provides a multitude of options for donations.

If you are able to support this cause through donations or even by helping a friend who has an eating disorder then i encourage you to do it.  You really can make a difference in someone’s life.

Pregnancy and eating disorders

Since many college students will experience pregnancy during their years in college, i thought that it would be beneficial to talk about eating disorders during pregnancy.  Obviously, there are serious health risk for a person with an eating disorder, but what about the unborn child that they are carrying?  ABC recently did  a special on this very issue.  Also i wanted to include this video from ThePregnancyShow.com that gives some information about pregnancy and eating disorders.

Some of the problems associated with eating disorders

I just wanted to talk about some of the problems associated with eating disorders.  I feel like some people really don’t understand that there are a multitude of conditions and problems associated with these disorders.  Here is some information that i found on the Utah State University website:

Anorexia

• Heart disease: Anorexia can cause irregular heart rhythms and result in smaller heart muscles. Heart disease is a common cause of death for people with anorexia.
• Hormonal changes: Changes in reproductive hormones and in thyroid hormones can cause absence of menstruation (amenorrhea), infertility, bone loss and retarded growth.
• Imbalance of minerals and electrolytes: Your body needs adequate levels of minerals, particularly calcium and potassium, in order to maintain the electric currents that keep your heart beating. Disruption of your body’s levels of fluids and minerals creates an electrolyte imbalance. Unless restored, this imbalance can be life-threatening.
• Nerve damage: Anorexia may cause brain and nerve damage, seizures and loss of feeling.
• Blood disorders: Lack of nutrition can reduce your body’s levels of vitamin B-12, causing anemia and affecting your body’s ability to produce enough red blood cells.
• Digestive problems: Anorexia can cause constipation and bloating.

Bulimia

• Teeth and gum problems: The presence of gastic acid in your mouth from regular vomiting may cause damage to your teeth and gums.
• Low potassium levels: The purging process tends to make your body dehydrated and to lower the level of potassium in your blood. This can cause weakness and irregular heart rhythms.
• Digestive problems: Purging may cause irritation to the walls of your esophagus. Repeated purging may also cause constipation.
• Behavioral and emotional problems: Bulimia may lead to depression and can be associated with a variety of impulsive behaviors such as sexual promiscuity, stealing, alcohol abuse and drug abuse.
• Abuse of medications: The variety of over-the-counter drugs you may use during purge cycles may cause a drug dependency. These include laxatives, diuretics, appetite suppressants and ipecac, a drug that induces vomiting.

Binge Eating Disorder

• High blood pressure
• Elevated cholesterol levels
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gallbladder disease

I also found a great site for parents and younger teens and  children that talks about eating disorders.

Eating Disorders among Males

Although eating disorders are much more common among females, many males suffer from them as well.  What are some of the reasons for males developing eating disorders?  Are they the same reasons that women have?  Are males influenced more by the media or by their peers?  I have linked to a video about male eating disorders, it is a public service announcement.  Also, take a look at some of the other videos on Youtube about male body image and eating disorders.  Just as females are bombarded by photos of thin women, males are often bombarded by photos of men who are very muscular and lean.

Super Model Behavior

I saw this news article recently and found it to be very interesting.  Kate Moss is one of the most well known models in the world right now, and perhaps does not realize that her words can do damage to those who are struggling with eating disorders.  This is a major problem facing people who have eating disorders.  Constantly seeing models and actresses and actors talking about being skinny and promoting “fad” diets can have a devastating effect on a person’s ability to overcome their disorder.  It can also lead those who do not currently have an eating disorder to develop one.  I am not saying that individuals do not have responsibility for their own actions, but when a person is in the public spotlight they should be more conscious about what they say.

Having said all of that, lets look at the other side of the coin.  Celebrities are under constant pressure to be fit and skinny.  This site has a gallery of photos taken by paparazzi of celebrities working out.  Read the description under the first photo.  Many celebrities have been berated by the media for gaining weight.

Holidays and Eating Disorders

Not to put a damper on this holiday season, but I recently read a news article talking about how holidays can increase anxiety and trigger a relapse for people trying to overcome eating disorders.  They have some suggestions that can be helpful to avoid these holiday relapses and for more information here is another site that has some great information on overcoming eating disorders.

So, remember this holiday season to help someone you know who has/had an eating disorder to enjoy the holidays and feel good about enjoying dinner with family and friends!

I Want To Know

I personally know a few people who either have eating disorders or have had eating disorders in the past.  I want to know how many of you know someone with this problem.  Take the poll!

I imagine that the majority of people know someone with an eating disorder.  Some statistics show that 40% of college females have eating disorders and 7% of males.  Other studies have shown lower percentages, but any percentage is too high.  Why are so many young people developing eating disorders?  What plays the most significant role in the development of eating disorders?  Media?  Family?  Peers? You tell me.

Some stats

When i saw some of these statistics i was shocked!  Only 30% of all anorexics will ever fully recover!  Wow!  Here are some more stats that i found from the South Carolina Department of Mental Health:

PREVALENCE

• It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder – seven million women and one million men
• One in 200 American women suffers from anorexia
• Two to three in 100 American women suffers from bulimia
• Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder (Note: One in five Americans suffers from mental illnesses.)
• An estimated 10 – 15% of people with anorexia or bulimia are males

MORTALITY RATES

• Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness
• A study by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reported that 5 – 10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease; 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years and only 30 – 40% ever fully recover
• The mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of ALL causes of death for females 15 – 24 years old.
• 20% of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems

ACCESS TO TREATMENT

• Only 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment
• About 80% of the girls/women who have accessed care for their eating disorders do not get the intensity of treatment they need to stay in recovery – they are often sent home weeks earlier than the recommended stay
• Treatment of an eating disorder in the US ranges from $500 per day to $2,000 per day. The average cost for a month of inpatient treatment is $30,000. It is estimated that individuals with eating disorders need anywhere from 3 – 6 months of inpatient care. Health insurance companies for several reasons do not typically cover the cost of treating eating disorders
• The cost of outpatient treatment, including therapy and medical monitoring, can extend to $100,000 or more

ADOLESCENTS

• Anorexia is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents
• 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25
• 50% of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight
• 80% of 13-year-olds have attempted to lose weight

RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES

• Rates of minorities with eating disorders are similar to those of white women
• 74% of American Indian girls reported dieting and purging with diet pills
• Essence magazine, in 1994, reported that 53.5% of their respondents, African-American females were at risk of an eating disorder
• Eating disorders are one of the most common psychological problems facing young women in Japan.

CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE SUFFERED WITH EATING DISORDERS:

Paula Abdul

Justine Batemen

Karen Carpenter

Nadia Comaneci

Susan Dey

Jane Fonda

Tracey Gold

Elton John

Jamie Lynn-Sigler

Cherry Boone O’Neill

Barbara Niven

Alexandra Paul

Princess Di

Lynn Redgrave

Kathy Rigby

Joan Rivers

Jeannine Turner

A family problem

While i feel like media has the furthest reaching influence on eating disorders, i thought that i should point out that i do not fell that media is not the only reason that people develop eating disorders.  There are many factors that lead to a person developing an eating disorder.  Recently,  i read a news article talking about the correlation between a dieting mother and the prevalence of her daughter acquiring an eating disorder.  The results of the survey discussed in this news article indicated that girls who saw their mother dieting frequently were more likely to have problems with disordered eating.

While this was not a scientific study, it does present some useful information.  Parents should be mindful of what they are teaching their children about body image and self confidence.

If you know a family member who is showing signs of having an eating disorder, be loving and supportive, not judgmental.  Do your best to help them help themselves.