Informational Content

Fad Diets: Fast Track to Bad Health

 We live in a society where thin is in and fat is definitely not where it's at. Each year, folks buy billions of dollars of diet foods and exercise equipment and try every weird fad diet that comes along. Now, for most of us, losing a little weight is fine. But for some, maintaining a thin body becomes an obsession. There are people who die every year because they literally starve themselves to death.

Anorexia
 One of the most common eating disorders is anorexia nervosa, or anorexia for short. The name comes from the Latin words for "nervous loss of appetite." People with anorexia are repulsed by food and, so, they starve themselves. The causes of this condition are not well understood and, as a result, treatment is often very difficult.

 The disorder is found most commonly in girls between the ages of 14 and 17, though it isn't uncommon to find men and older women suffering as well. The condition usually starts with a simple diet to lose weight. Quickly, the diet can turn into a refusal to eat any food because, in the mind of anorexic victims, they are never thin enough.

 With little or no food intake, malnutrition sets in and imbalances in body chemistry can cause illnesses - everything from a simple cold to life-threatening infections - within a matter of weeks. Because the victim has depleted stores of vitamins and minerals, glands shut down. Often, in women, menstruation ceases and physical growth comes to a standstill. Body weight sometimes drops to one-half the anorexic's healthy weight. These people literally starve themselves, sometimes to death.

 People who suffer from anorexia nervosa often have what experts call a "perfectionist personality." They're never satisfied with the job they've done, thinking it (and they) could always be better. Many physicians view this eating disorder as a dangerous mental illness that requires treatment - sometimes treatment in a hospital.

 Treatment usually includes training in nutrition and the help of a trained psychiatrist or other professional counselor. The therapist works with the patient to build self-esteem and help the individual see his or her body in a realistic light. Anorexics do not see their own bodies the way others do. Their "body image," that is, the way they see their own bodies, is distorted. It often takes months and even years of psychological counseling to restore the anorexic's body image.

 Anorexia is not something to fool with. It can be fatal. It is NOT a good way to lose weight. The physical and emotional effects of this eating disorder can last a lifetime. To learn more about the warning signs of anorexia, click on the "Warning Signs" button. And, if you're worried about your own eating habits or the eating habits of a friend, click on "More Information" for some resources you can use to help with this very serious eating disorder.

Bulimia
 Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging - bingeing on lots of food then purging the body of the food, usually through the use of laxatives or self-induced vomiting. Some bulimia sufferers may also engage in strict, fad diets and strenuous exercise programs instead of, or in addition to, using laxatives or vomiting,

 Some people with this condition purge to keep their weight down, others as a punishment for eating all of that food. Either way, the use of laxatives, self-induced vomiting, following off-the-wall diets and trying to jog away a large pizza are just not healthy behaviors.

 Regular vomiting irritates the lining of the throat and damages teeth due to harsh stomach acids. The overuse of laxatives can cause a variety of serious conditions - from stomach cramps to a chemical imbalance that can be life threatening. Fad diets - ones that restrict you to a single food, or very little food - simply don't provide the nutrition a healthy body needs, and strenuous daily exercise can lead to problems with muscles, bones and joints. Bulimia sufferers endanger their health and, in some cases, their lives.

 People suffering from bulimia are usually fascinated by food. Often, they buy cooking magazines and cook books. They spend recreational time reading recipes, checking out restaurant reviews and talking about food with others.

 People with bulimia often suffer from depression. Doctors who treat eating disorders disagree as to whether the eating disorder causes the depression or the depression leads to the development of bulimia. In either case, professional medical help is often required to change the destructive behaviors associated with bulimia.

 Bulimia, like other eating disorders, may appear to be a simple obsession with food, but it usually indicates more serious emotional problems. That's why if you think you, or a friend, might have an eating disorder, talk to someone you can trust. And be sure to check out the "More Information" section of this feature for a printable list of helpful resources.

 If you think you might have an eating disorder, or if you have a friend or relative you suspect has a problem, take steps to make things better.

1. Talk to someone you can trust - a teacher, parent, doctor, friend or someone else who can help you get the help you need.

2. Visit your school or public library. The subjects of anorexia, bulimia and fad diets have been covered extensively in the media and in books. You'll find a great deal of detailed information here. 

3. Log on to the Internet. You'll find information, discussion groups, support groups and helpful web sites to direct you to the help or information you're looking for.

4. Contact the following organizations for information:

American Anorexia Bulimia Association
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1108
New York, NY 10036
www.aabainc.org

NEDO - National Eating Disorder Organization
6655 S. Yale Avenue
Tulsa, OK  74136
www.laureate.com

The Renfrew Center Foundation
475 Spring Lane
Philadelphia, PA  19128
www.renfrew.org

NEDSP - National Eating Disorders Screening Program
One Washington Street
Suite 304
Wellesley Hills, MA   02181
www.nmisp.org 

Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder    

 Do you think you may be developing anorexia? Perhaps you know someone with some unusual eating habits. Check out the list below for some early warning signs of an eating disorder. A "yes" answer to any of the questions may indicate a potential problem.

1. Have you ever refused to eat even though you were hungry?
2. Do you over exercise to work off a few extra pounds?
3. Are you preoccupied with food, your weight and different diets?
4. Have you ever used laxatives or diet pills to control your weight?
5. Have you ever gone on an eating binge, continuing to eat long after you were    
   full?
6. Have you ever felt shame or guilt about your eating habits?
7. Have you ever forced yourself to vomit after overeating?
8. Do you think you're overweight even when your friends tell you you aren't?
9. For women: do you have irregular or absent periods?
10. Do you have frequent dental problems?
11. Do you have low self-esteem?
12. Are you often depressed or moody?
13. Do you feel a lack of control when if comes to eating?
14. Is there a great deal of stress in your personal life?
15. Have you ever lied about your food intake?

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