Eating or appetite disorders, the hidden disease of this century, perhaps. There have always been specific criteria for beauty and especially for females. These criteria have varied throughout history. However, the reality of projecting these criteria on every girl and her acceptance or rejection according to her compatibility with it did not disappear. But it has become even more dangerous and serious due to available cosmetic procedures.
In addition to the media and social communication that directly and indirectly promote changing beauty standards. More often, these criteria are difficult to achieve, unhealthy, and even harmful in the long term. As a result, girls could feel compelled to try adhering to these norms at the price of their emotional and physical well-being.
Glimpse Into Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious and complex mental disorders related to harmful eating behaviors. Eating disorders often develop in the teen and young adult years, although they can develop at other ages. Surely, it negatively impacts the physical and psychological health of the injured. Its influence can also extend to other important aspects of an individual’s life.¹
And like others, there are several types of eating disorders. Some are common and some are rare, such as purging disorders, Night Eating Syndrome.³ Let’s get to know the common ones.
Types of Eating Disorders
- First, anorexia nervosa (an-o-REK-see-uh) is often simply called anorexia. Patients are afraid of gaining weight and seek to control their weight and body shape in all ways, even dangerous ones. They may resort to excessive exercise, and use laxatives (laxatives) or special diet pills. Of course, in addition to limiting the daily calories consumed. They may try to vomit after eating or deprive themselves of eating sometimes to the point of deadly self-starvation. Therefore, we see people with this disorder have low body weight, and they may also have health problems.¹
- Second, bulimia (boo-LEE-me-uh) nervosa. This type of eating disorder is characterized by the occurrence of episodes. People with bulimia may eat a large amount of food in a short time and then try to “correct their mistake”. They may vomit or use laxatives and other ways to lose “extra” calories. All of that is a result of guilt and shame about their weight or figure. Knowingly that people with bulimia often have normal weight or are even a bit overweight.¹
- Third, binge eating disorder. Those affected eat too much food (binge) regularly and continuously. They may eat quickly or eat more food than intended, even when they are full or not hungry. This situation differs from bulimia nervosa in that those affected here do not try to compensate for their behavior. Nonetheless, they feel guilty, ashamed, or disgusted with themselves, and may try to hide their bingeing. They may be at normal weight, overweight or obese, and an episode of bingeing usually occurs at least once a week.¹
- Fourth, rumination disorder. Regurgitating food happens repeatedly and persistently after eating, but it’s not due to a medical condition and regurgitation may not be intentional. Sometimes regurgitated food is rechewed and swallowed or spit out. The disorder may result in malnutrition or if the person eats significantly less to prevent the behavior. The frequency of occurrence of rumination disorder is more common in infancy or in people who have an intellectual disability.¹
- Fifth, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). A person with this type of eating disorder does not avoid eating because they are afraid of gaining weight. But they may lose interest in eating, so they avoid certain foods or the reason may be the concern about the consequences of eating, such as fear of choking. Therefore, they do not get the minimum daily nutrition requirements, leading to health problems. And also significant weight loss or failure to gain weight in childhood.¹
When do you know that you have it?
The diagnosis depends on several assessments and exams. Including a physical exam, to confirm or rule out the existence of other causes of your eating problems that you are suffering from. Also, psychological evaluation and additional tests to check for any complications related to your eating disorder.²
Risk factors and possible causes
Eating disorders affect both genders, but the female-in adolescence and early adulthood is more likely to have anorexia or bulimia.¹ As with other mental illnesses, there is no single exact and specific reason for eating disorders. Possible causes and risk factors:
- Biological characteristics and genetic factors.
- Family history.
- Psychological health.
- Dieting and starvation.
- Psychological stress.¹
How to protect children from developing eating disorders?
Since eating disorders usually start in adolescence, we will focus on children, but these tips apply to yourself or anyone around you.
- Avoid dieting around your child. Children usually learn and take their habits from their environment and from what they see. Therefore, try to follow a balanced and healthy diet and make sure to eat with them and the whole family.
- Talk to them and teach them about diets and their risks. To protect them from widespread misinformation that promotes and encourages hunger and anorexia for weight loss and as a lifestyle in general.
- Make sure to cultivate and reinforce a healthy body image in your child. Do not make any negative observations about their size or shape. Also, avoid making overly positive comments about their appearance, as they may think this is the only positive thing they have. And absolutely avoid criticizing your own body or someone else’s body in front of them.
- Enlist the help of your child’s doctor. They may be able to identify early indicators of an eating disorder and ask questions to check. These visits should include checks of height and weight percentiles and body mass index (BMI).¹
“How would you like to eat a hamburger”, “You should gain some weight.”, “What big buttocks she has”, and “You’re fat as a cow” Perhaps every girl has heard one of these sentences or something similar, even if it’s not correct. Despite the girl’s self-confidence, one way or another she will be affected by these comments. Even though eating disorders are not a direct result of these widespread comments and beauty standards, they contribute to their occurrence.
We should all work together to limit the domination of these unrealistic or illogical standards on our children and young people. This is a difficult and unfair confrontation against them, so we have to support them and provide assistance to them.
Dear girl, you are more than just a body. You are beautiful, no matter your measurements or weight. You are a human being above all. You have your own ideas and talents. Don’t let the world incriminate you when you are innocent. Don’t be afraid and don’t worry about anything. Go after what you want and don’t let anything stand in your face. Our initiative is with you.
Also read:
References:
[1] Mayo Clinic
[2] Mayo Clinic
[3] Labayh
