Celebrities Break Barrier of Shame

Whether they wish for it or not, celebrities are role models. Fans follow them in their work, consume the media that examines their lives, and discuss them online and in real life. Their bad behavior is widely publicized, but what about those that are making a positive difference? These stars, all themselves survivors of eating disorders, are speaking out about their own battle and helping to raise awareness about this serious medical problem. They are making a difference, and are part of the solution to the shame and secrecy preventing many victims of eating disorders from seeking help. Here are their stories.

Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler was a typical overachiever. Bright and talented, she filled her schedule with school, acting, student council, teaching kids and studying for the SATs. During her junior year, after a painful breakup with a boyfriend, she began to focus on losing weight. She says “all of a sudden, I felt like everything in my life was getting out of control, and here was one thing I could control.” She adopted a strict regimen of diet and exercise typical of those with exercise bulimia, her particular eating disorder. Her obsession changed and isolated her: physically, she withered to a skeleton; formerly a social butterfly, she now avoided going out with friends and exercised instead for hours; and she wrote down everything she ate, when she ate it, and when she exercised. She recalls that one day her mother hugged her, then burst into tears because she could feel all of Jamie’s bones. Her turning point came when she realized how unhappy her life had become, and she began five months of therapy to rebuild her confidence and her body. Now author of a book called Wise Girl – What I’ve Learned About Life, Love, and Loss and honored by the National Eating Disorder Association for her work on their behalf, she is resolute but realistic. She says, “The eating disorder is always going to be with me. But what I went through was traumatic enough and enough of a learning experience that I would never fall so deeply again. I’m so much happier now.”

Singer and Disney actress Demi Lovato has been in the news recently, speaking out about her eating disorder and treatment. Bullied in school, she started compulsively overeating at age 8 and soon had anorexia, which by her teenage years had escalated to include self-harm, depression, and bulimia. At 18 years old, her family and management team had an intervention, and she entered a residential treatment center. There she learned healthy ways to cope with her feelings, and resolved to set a good example for her little sister and her young fans that may be dealing with the same issues. Today she considers herself still recovering, and tries to be realistic about her progress, saying “I’m going to mess up, and I’m not going to be perfect, but as long as I try every day to get better and better myself, then I’m one step ahead of where I was before.” She now is working with Seventeen Magazine and the Love is Louder campaign for at-risk girls, and is a spokesperson for Teens Against Bullying.

Dancer, singer, and American Idol judge Paula Abdul began purging in high school, as a way to control her weight in the competitive and body-conscious world of dance. She describes her young self as a perfectionist and an overachiever, and as top honor student, class president and head cheerleader, it looked like she had it all. Yet at only 5’2”, she felt she was at a disadvantage against her fellow cheerleaders and dancers. She describes her bulimia as “a war on my body. Me and my body have been on two separate sides.” She continued this war during her rise to stardom as an L.A. Lakers cheerleader, choreographer, and then singer. After a painful divorce in 1994, she finally came to terms with her eating disorder and checked herself into treatment. Then ashamed, she tried to keep it a secret. Now, she is a spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and says “I’m more proud of my recovery than of selling millions of records.”

Aussie rocker Daniel Johns of Silverchair and the Dissociatives began restricting his eating in his teens in an attempt to look ill. He was defying convention at school, wearing makeup and playing in a band, and was getting beaten up by bullies and called gay slurs. As for looking ill and deterring his bullies, “unfortunately it worked,” he says, “because then I was addicted to it and couldn’t start eating again.” Convincing himself that food was poisoned, he wouldn’t go to restaurants, and couldn’t bear the smell, look, or even to be around a discussion of food. He explains that his disorder had nothing to do with body image, and everything to do with a desire for control. “Every time…I felt that my life was out of control…I took control of food intake, because it was the only thing that no one could really take charge of.” He realized how much control he had actually lost when more than one doctor told him he was dying. Anti-depressant medications, along with the support of the people around him and his music, helped free him from the addiction that threatened his life. Later, like many who talk publicly about their addictions, he was criticized for self-promotion, which he dismissed. “When you get letters that say, ‘You’ve helped me admit to anorexia,’ and… ‘I was gonna kill myself until I heard this album,’ that makes people that say, ‘You’re exploiting your problems,’ just seem like such a little speck in the dirt.”

Actress Elisa Donovan was never overweight, but that fact didn’t stop her from increasingly restrictive dieting. She says she thought the more weight she lost, the happier she would be, yet she would only see specific body parts that she thought looked “enormous.” She continued to lose weight until her friends started to express their concern, her hair fell out in clumps, and she fainted several times. After being hospitalized, she finally sought treatment and realized how her disorder had restricted her life-she would never go out for lunch or dinner, and as she says, “I was so unhappy with myself, I didn’t answer my phone.” Speaking out has helped her, as has the desire to be a healthy role model. She advises, “There is no connection between the shape of your body and whether you can succeed, or whether you’re a smart person or a good person.”

Shame and isolation are still barriers that prevent many victims from seeking help. Every survivor of this illness can help others by speaking out, even if they aren’t followed by thousands of fans. Watch for our next installment, where we profile five regular people that have beaten an eating disorder and hear their stories.

For more information about eating disorders or to get help, please visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website or call their helpline at 1-800-931-2237.

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Help Your Teen Find Healthy and Energetic Snacks

By Paul Hench

Life is perhaps the most difficult when you’re a teenager; of course, being an adult brings its share of worry and responsibilities, but you also have the maturity and hindsight that a teenager lacks. They’re caught between their parents and their friends, they’re torn between doing what is right and what comes instinctively, and most of all, they battle the bulge as they struggle to remain slim (because it matters more than anything in their world) even as they’re tempted by lure of fast food and sugary sodas. It’s up to you as a parent to ensure that they look and feel great by helping them find and eat the right snacks.

It’s not too hard to prepare and provide them with healthy snacks that boost their energy and keep hunger pangs away; the most difficult part is getting them to avoid junk food and eat healthier options. While adults are forced to exercise and stick to healthy diets because they’re worried about their health, to a teen, all that matters is how they look and whether they’re going to be accepted by their peers. So use their weakness as your strength – get them sold on the idea of healthy snacks by promoting them as ways to look great and keep their skin smooth and clear of acne.

It’s the only language teens understand, and it’s also the truth – when they go overboard on fast food and sugary drinks, they gain weight and lose their complexions; they begin to pasty and plump instead of slim and sexy. Use these facts to get them to eating healthy food and snacking in healthy ways.

The best snacks for teens include:

• Slices of fruits and vegetables they can munch on
• Trail mix of nuts, dried fruits and perhaps a little chocolate
• Fresh fruit juices without sugar or any other additives
• Yogurt and fruit smoothies
• Whole grain, low fat crackers
• Frozen juice bars
• Low fat cheese and milk

In general, you can give your teen any kind of food as long as it is low in fat, salt, sugar and artificial substances including preservatives and additives.

Support your teen’s decision to eat healthy snacks by avoiding junk food yourself. Set goals and standards that the entire family can follow; if you insist that your teen eat healthy while you gorge on junk food and chips, your words are not going to hold water. So avoid buying unhealthy snacks or stocking them in your home. Once your teenagers are able to discipline themselves, it’s easy to send them along on the path to good health.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Paul Hench, he writes on the topic of masters in public health. He welcomes your comments at his email id: paul.23hench@gmail.com.

Read more.

We are hearing a lot about childhood obesity and teen weight issues.  Body image is a major concern for many teens, especially teen girls.   According to CDC this is the first generation of kids that may not have the life expectancy that generations prior have.  Whether it is the increase of computer/video games combined with the lack of exercise or the unhealthy fast food, obesity is a growing concern.

Source: Connect with Kids

Should Parents Put A Kid On A Diet?

“Don’t comment on your child’s food intake – good or bad. So if you are saying, ‘Don’t eat that,’ ‘Don’t eat this,’ ‘Stop eating so much of this,’ ‘You can’t possibly be hungry,’ that goes back to we as parents doing some judging around our children’s behavior.”

– Beth Passehl, Program Coordinator, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Obesity trends among American kids are weighing heavily. Michelle Obama has been in the news with her new Let’s Move campaign to promote healthy eating and healthy living. But when it comes to kids and weight loss, what’s the best strategy? Perhaps you’d like your child to lose a few pounds, but worry about hurt feelings if you bring up the topic. It’s a dilemma for many parents.

Rochelle James, for example, wondered what to say to her 11-year-old daughter Maya.

A few months ago, the family pediatrician said that Maya was a borderline diabetic.

“I was thinking, ‘Uh oh, I might be the next person to pass away from diabetes,’” says Maya. “My grandmother, she was a diabetic and she had passed away. So I didn’t want to be like her.”

Maya admits she was making bad choices.

“Well, sometimes I would just like lay around or just eat and watch TV.”

At dinner, her mom would nag her about eating too much.

“She would go up to the oven and kind of look back like, ‘I know you are going to say something.’ And I felt bad,” says Rochelle.

But nagging kids to eat less or exercise more can backfire.

“There are some definite don’ts for parents,” says Beth Passehl, a family coach and program coordinator at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “Don’t comment on your child’s food intake – good or bad. So if you are saying, ‘Don’t eat that,’ ‘Don’t eat this,’ ‘Stop eating so much of this,’ ‘You can’t possibly be hungry,’ that goes back to we as parents doing some judging around our children’s behavior.”

What can you do instead?

“You might want to talk to the child first and ask them if they have ever been teased about their weight,” explains Passehl.

If the answer is yes, your child may be motivated to change.

“Approach your child and say there are some things about our family in general that are not very healthy,” says Passehl, “We are having too much television time. We are going to work on watching less TV and spending more time together getting healthier.”

She says a child won’t make healthier choices unless the rest of the family does too.

So Maya’s family went to a class at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where they all learned to eat right, exercise, and avoid diabetes.

“I used to feel like I was lazy or like I was kind of sloppy,” says Maya. “But now I just feel like I have a boost of energy.”

What Parents Need To Know

More than 25 million American children are obese or at risk for becoming obese. Just what is obesity? The ratio of a person’s weight to height is known as body mass index, or BMI, which estimates how much body fat you have. Children with a BMI at or higher than the 95th percentile (for their age) are considered obese. Children with a BMI at or higher than the 85th percentile are considered overweight. Today, almost 20 percent of kids ages 6 to 19 are overweight.

How can you calculate your child’s BMI? It’s best to consult with your child’s pediatrician. That way, you’ll know the number is accurate and your doctor can discuss the result with you. To calculate BMI on your own, try an online BMI calculator.

For some kids, the doctor may recommend losing some weight, but this should be done with the doctor’s help. If you need a little help, don’t be afraid to ask. There may be a dietitian, nutritionist or counselor available to provide additional advice and plan meals. Kids need a variety of healthy foods to keep their bodies growing properly. Diets that don’t include a variety of nutritious foods, or have too few calories, can be dangerous for kids.

Parents can try these healthy-eating strategies:

• Eat meals at regular, routine times and eat as a family. If your child can’t count on a regular mealtime, he may overeat at one meal, or snack on fattening foods between meals. Irregular eating keeps him from “tuning in” to his body’s natural cues for hunger and satisfaction. Do not skip meals – and make sure your kids eat breakfast. Research shows most people who have lost more than 60 pounds, and kept it off for six years, eat breakfast.
• Make sure healthy food choices are available in your household refrigerator and cabinets. Do not make your family give up foods they love. Instead, find healthier ways to prepare these foods. For example, frozen French fries can be baked instead of fried. Cheesecake or macaroni and cheese can be made with a low-fat cheese. Take a cooking class to get your family excited about healthy recipes.
• Be a good role model for your children when it comes to making healthy food choices. Be aware of portion sizes.
• Do not use food as a reward – ever.
• Don’t overcook vegetables; this is probably the main reason why children (and adults) don’t eat enough of them. Raw is sometimes best.
• Do not allow children to think that every outing, every activity, every thing they do, must be accompanied by a high calorie snack.
• Educate yourself so that when your children do ask for particular foods, you can explain your answer. Check out the fat and sodium content. Be ready with other suggestions when your child asks you to buy something which you don’t think is a good idea. Bring the kids shopping sometimes, teach them to read labels, and involve them in decision making.
• Plant a vegetable garden. Let your children choose which plants will be theirs to take care of. Most children will happily eat the things they have grown and picked themselves.
• Even though you may be very concerned about your child’s weight, be careful about how you express your worry. Your child already knows there is a problem if there is one, and doesn’t need anyone to make him or her feel worse about it. Children grow up as well as out. Many children do not need to lose weight. They just need to stop gaining weight. Spend a little time learning about growth curves, and your own family’s health history.
• Get your family to participate in physical activity on a regular basis – even if it is just walking around the block after dinner. Be aware of the time spent in front of the television and computer.
• Once your kids reach a certain age, you really can’t control what they eat outside the house. But you can set the example in a number of ways. Make sure that your kids know what you think about nutrition and various food issues.

Resources

• Children’s Healthcare of AtlantaBe Smart, Be Well
• Let’s Move
• U.S. Department of Agriculture My Pyramid
• Empower MeKids Health from Nemours
• Kids Healthy BMI Calculator

Read more about Food Revolution and your school cafeteria - click here.

Last week I wrote about Food Revolution, and what exactly is in our school’s cafeteria.  It was one of the most read articles.  It is shocking to actually read in detail what we put into our bodies, and especially what our kids are eating.  I applaud Jamie Oliver who is just about single handedly trying to make healthy changes, one school at a time.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the problem of teenage obesity is now at its highest level in U.S. history. About 15% of teens are obese today, compared to just 5% in the 1960s. Last week, Connect With Kids posted another exceptional article about this timely subject.

Source: Connect with Kids

Obesity and Life Expectancy

“I remember dreading going to the doctors because they just told me how overweight I was.”

– Catherine, 16

Sixteen-year-old Catherine attends a Jazzercise class five times a week. She’s trying to dance her way out of a problem she’s had since she was a little girl: obesity.

“I never knew what portion sizes were, or when I was full, because I just ate to the max,” she says.

In the third grade, Catherine needed special clothing tailored to fit. In the sixth grade, she weighed more than 200 pounds.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the problem of teenage obesity is now at its highest level in U.S. history. About 15% of teens are obese today, compared to just 5% in the 1960s.

“And I don’t want to live like that. I want to be active, I want to do a lot of things, I want to meet people, I want to travel,” Catherine says. “Just like everyone else, I have dreams.”

But those dreams may be cut short if she doesn’t lose some weight.

But those dreams are at risk.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have been following almost 5000 children in Arizona for over 40 years. The studies show that the heaviest kids are twice as likely to die young… from cancer, infection, heart disease… diabetes…

“[The formulas] very, very effectively show that the younger you are, and the more obese you are, the more years of life you lose at the end,” says Dr. Ranveig Elvebakk, a bariatric physician. “It is anywhere from three to 20 years on the person who is 20 years of age and overweight.”

The health effects of obesity are well known: heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other chronic problems that cause premature death. The earlier you catch a weight problem, the easier it will be for your child to change and the less damage the weight will cause on his or her body.

Elvebakk says it is important to remember that the epidemic of obesity is NOT a problem of genetics.

“It is our culture that makes us fat; it’s not genes,” she says. “Our gene pool has remained unchanged over the past 59,000 years. There is no change in genes over the last 10 years. What makes us overweight is our lifestyle and the way we think about food.”

She says parents should insist on exercise and nutrition from an early age. But in Catherine’s family, it’s the kids who are now asking for better nutrition.

“When I go to the store, I used to buy all this kind of junk food and keep it in the cabinet for them, and now they tell me no, you’re not supposed to bring that home,” explains Lorraine Allen, Catherine’s mother.

With nutrition and exercise, Catherine is slowly shedding the pounds. She’s trading them in for more years on the end of her life – and more time to fulfill her dreams.

Healthy Lifestyle Begins with Exercise, Balanced Diet

People who are severely obese as adolescents or in their early 20s can expect to have significantly shorter lives, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers focused on subjects whose body mass index (BMI) was more than 24, the reference for adults aged 18 to 85. BMI is calculated based on weight and height. People who have a BMI over 30 are considered obese. The study, based on years of federal health survey data of thousands of people, examined the extent to which obesity could affect years of life lost. For every degree of being overweight, younger adults generally had greater years of life lost than older adults. Specifically, it was discovered that severely obese (BMI over 45) young females could lose four to eight years from their life expectancy. The results for males were even more astounding. They could have 12 to 20 years cut off of their lives!

Why is obesity such a problem for today’s children and adolescents? The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites the following causes for childhood obesity:

• Overweight in children and adolescents is generally caused by lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns or a combination of the two, with genetics and lifestyle both playing important roles in determining a child’s weight.
• Society has become very sedentary. Television, computer and video games contribute to children’s inactive lifestyles.
• Forty-three percent of adolescents watch more than two hours of television each day.
• Children, especially girls, become less active as they move through adolescence.

Because diabetes, hypertension and other obesity-related chronic diseases are now more common in adolescents, the recent study results highlight the importance of weight control in the nation’s youth through more physical activity and better dietary habits. Several organizations have found that today’s youth are considered the most inactive generation in history. In fact, the National Association for Sports & Physical Education reports that only 25% of all kids in the United States are physically active. And since daily physical education has been eliminated from schools in all but one state (Illinois), the burden now rests on the shoulders of parents to encourage their children to be more active.

Tips for Parents

With the CDC reporting that almost a third of children and adolescents are obese or overweight, it is now more important than ever to encourage your child to maintain a high level of physical activity. The American Council on Exercise offers the following tips for incorporating exercise into your child’s daily activities:

• Set an example for your child and treat exercise as something to be done on a regular basis, like brushing your teeth or cleaning your room.
• Invite your child to participate in vigorous household tasks, such as gardening, washing the car or raking leaves.
• Go biking, rock climbing or inline skating with your child.
• Jump rope or shoot baskets with your child.
• Plan outings and activities that involve some walking, like a trip to the zoo, a nature hike or even a trip to the mall.

The other component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is practicing proper eating habits. Instead of high-calorie foods and snacks, provide your child with fruits and low- or non-fat foods. The American Obesity Association (AOA) does not recommend dieting for teens because it can prevent them from growing to their full height. Instead, it suggests that your teen “eat lean” and try some of these healthy snack options to get the nutrition he or she needs:

• Dried fruit mixed with sunflower seeds
• Bagels with peanut butter
• Low-fat cheese and crackers
• Baby carrots dipped in low-fat salad dressing
• Baked chips, low-fat cheese and salsa
• Fat-free popcorn with parmesan cheese
• Yogurt smoothie
• Frozen bananas
• Fresh fruit

Exercise and nutrition go hand in hand, but without your support, your adolescent will have a tough time maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Office offers the following strategies for helping your teen stay fit physically and emotionally:

• Let your child know that he or she is loved and appreciated whatever his or her weight. An overweight child probably knows better than anyone else that he or she has a weight problem. Overweight children need support, acceptance and encouragement from their parents.
• Focus on your child’s health and positive qualities, not your child’s weight.
• Try not to make your child feel different if he or she is overweight but focus on gradually changing your family’s physical activity and eating habits.
• Be a good role model for your child. If your child sees you enjoying healthy foods and physical activity, he or she is more likely to do the same now and for the rest of his or her life.
• Realize that an appropriate goal for many overweight children is to maintain their current weight while growing normally in height.

References

• American Council on Exercise
• American Obesity Association
• Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
• Journal of the American Medical Association
• National Association for Sports & Physical Education
• U.S. Surgeon General’s Office

Eating disorders among teens, especially girls, are a serious concern.  With today’s peer pressure to keep up with the trends, fit into those skinny jeans and be a part of the cool clique can lead your teen down a troubled road.

What is an eating disorder? The MayoClinic describes it as follows:

Eating disorders are a broad group of serious conditions in which you’re so preoccupied with food and weight that you can often focus on little else. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, and there are also many subtypes.

Treatments for eating disorders usually involve psychotherapy, nutrition education, family counseling, medications and hospitalization.

Anorexia nervosa
When you have anorexia nervosa (an-o-REK-se-uh nur-VOH-suh), you’re obsessed with food and being thin, sometimes to the point of deadly self-starvation. You may exercise excessively or simply not eat enough calories.

Bulimia nervosa
When you have bulimia, you have episodes of bingeing and purging. During these episodes, you typically eat a large amount of food in a short amount of time and then try to rid yourself of the extra calories by vomiting or excessive exercise. In between these binge-purge episodes, you may eat very little or skip meals altogether. You may be a normal weight or even a bit overweight.
 

Binge-eating disorder
When you have binge-eating disorder, you regularly eat excessive amounts of food (binge), sometimes for hours on end. You may eat when you’re not hungry and continue eating even long after you’re uncomfortably full. After a binge, you may try to diet or eat normal meals, triggering a new round of bingeing. You may be a normal weight, overweight or obese.

Eating disorders in youngsters
Eating disorders can affect people of any age. In children, it’s sometimes hard to tell what’s an eating disorder and what’s simply a whim, a new fad, or experimentation with a vegetarian diet or other eating styles. In addition, many girls and sometimes boys go on diets to lose weight, but stop dieting after a short time. If you’re a parent or guardian, be careful not to mistake occasional dieting with an eating disorder. On the other hand, be alert for eating patterns and beliefs that may signal unhealthy behavior, as well as peer pressure that may trigger eating disorders.

Causes of eating disorders:

It’s not known with certainty what causes eating disorders. As with other mental illnesses, the possible causes are complex and may result from an interaction of biological, psychological, family, genetic, environmental and social factors. Possible causes of eating disorders include:
 

• Biology. Some people may be genetically vulnerable to developing eating disorders. Some studies show that people with biological siblings or parents with an eating disorder may develop one too, suggesting a possible genetic link. In addition, there’s some evidence that serotonin, a naturally occurring brain chemical, may influence eating behaviors because of its connection to the regulation of food intake.
• Psychological and emotional health. People with eating disorders may have psychological and emotional characteristics that contribute to the disorder. They may have low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsive behavior, anger management difficulties, family conflicts and troubled relationships, for instance.
• Sociocultural issues. The modern Western cultural environment often cultivates and reinforces a desire for thinness. Success and worth are often equated with being thin. The media and entertainment industries often focus on appearance and body shape. Peer pressure may fuel this desire to be thin, particularly among young girls.

Learn the symptoms and risk factors of eating disorders.

Be an educated parent, you will have healthier teens!

Learn about teen body image.

Also on Examiner.

Carolyn Friedman, is working on her Masters and recently wrote an excellent article on “10 Common Myths Eating Disorders.”  She asked me to share it with my readers.  Take the time to read and learn more.  You never know when you may need this knowledge.  A short time ago, she also gave us the “10 Common Myths About Suicide.”

10 Common Myths About Eating Disorders

By Carolyn Friedman

Like many mental illnesses and conditions, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa come prepackaged with a disconcerting number of misconceptions. Allowing these unfounded stereotypes to continuously creep through the public’s consciousness is a dangerous game with potentially lethal consequences. General confusion and ignorance regarding eating disorders further isolates and shames sufferers who already feel misunderstood, escalating their anxiety levels and increasing the risk of serious injury. These myths also prevent possible treatment for those who may have an eating disorder, but believe that their exclusion from one or more of the myths means they do not. Only by working tirelessly to dispel them can the eating disordered begin traveling down a relatively more positive road to recovery.

1. The media is to blame. : One of the most pervasive myths regarding eating disorders involves pointing fingers at movies, television shows, and magazines touting thinness (or, for men, lean and/or muscular as the only attractive body shape. With so many of the female eating disordered considering emaciated actresses, dancers, and models as “thinspiration,” it is easy to see how this misconception came into existence. However, anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders are far more complex and complicated than merely a construct of warped societal perceptions of attractiveness. While bombardment of supposedly glamorous waifs and taut bodybuilders negatively impacts the severity of eating disorders, in no way can it be considered the root cause, either. At their core, anorexia, bulimia, and their kin are mental illnesses related to brutal levels of anxiety and depression, which manifest themselves in erratic eating patterns and, in the most extreme cases, starvation. Psychologists and scientists are still trying to unlock any potential biological or behavioral origins that would better explain the nuances of eating disorders, but blame does not exclusively lay with the media. It does not help, but it also does not initiate.

2. Only women have eating disorders. : An estimated 5-15% of anorexia and bulimia cases are actually male, as are up to 35% of the binge eating disordered. While the staggering majority of sufferers are statistically female, the illnesses are not their exclusive domain by any means. Both men and women struggling with an eating disorder tend to display a distorted body image, though the former focuses more on musculature while the latter tends to zero in on becoming thinner. This myth is especially disconcerting, since stereotyping eating disorders as absolutely female prevents men and boys with the diseases from receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment. Even though the psychological profiles of male and female eating disordered carry the exact same behavioral, social, physical, and emotional symptoms, males who feel they may be suffering from anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder may end up denying themselves necessary medical care if they believe that only women can be diagnosed as such.

3. Only upper-class Caucasians have eating disorders. : Eating disorders do not discriminate based on race or socioeconomic bracket any more than they do on gender. Psychologists have diagnosed eating disorders on all continents, with the obvious exception of Antarctica, and at every income level. The University of California at Santa Barbara reports mostly equal instances of eating disorders amongst its Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic students. Like the myth that only women can be diagnosed with an eating disorder, the opinion that they also occur exclusively amongst Caucasians with upper-class backgrounds carries with it some bothersome implications. By adhering to the myth, sufferers of a comparatively lower socioeconomic bracket and/or different ethnicity may potentially reject the idea of seeking professional help altogether. Likewise, they also run the risk of ending up with a misdiagnosis and improper treatment.

4. The eating disordered are easy to spot because they are so thin. : Those suffering from an eating disorder cannot be spotted in a crowd any more than those with clinical depression, anxiety issues, and other common mental illnesses. The disease does not seek out specific body types any more than it does anything else. Many individuals are genetically predisposed to sport a skinny frame, and their appearance does not inherently indicate the presence of an eating disorder. Nor does someone with a comparatively larger frame clearly represent the absence of one. Women and men of all shapes and sizes can fall victim to eating disorders if they fit the psychological profile – there are absolutely no physical signs or symptoms associated with this mental illness. Disturbing images of skeletal bodies ravaged by anorexia or bulimia come only from the most extreme and prolonged cases. They serve as a sign of what the eating disordered can eventually become without attentive, supportive, and healthy medical and psychological treatment, but they are not to be considered illustrative of the majority of sufferers.

5. The eating disordered don’t eat. : If voluntary starvation was indicative of an eating disorder, many individuals with religious or sociopolitical reasons for abstaining from food who don’t otherwise display any signs of psychologically struggling with one would incur an incorrect diagnosis. The truth is, most eating disordered do actually eat as a means of veiling their illness from potentially concerned family and friends. Some choose to create a feeling of fullness by eating calorie–neutral foods such as celery, though some very rare and extreme cases have gone so far as to actually eat cotton balls. Others eat, but purge the contents of their digestive tract by inducing vomiting or taking laxatives later on. One of the most common eating disorders, eating disorder not otherwise specified, or EDNOS, is characterized by obsessively calculating and analyzing food intake. Binge eating disorder involves an almost uncontrollable compulsion to consume food, but without purging afterwards. Only the most severe, often un- or insufficiently treated, instances resort to outright starvation, but given their sensationalist nature they receive the brunt of the attention. This serves only to perpetuate the myth and drive it further into the public’s consciousness – family and friends worried that a loved one may be suffering from an eating disorder could potentially dismiss the idea once the individual in question eats in front of them.

6. Having an eating disorder is a lifestyle choice. : As with all mental illnesses, those suffering from an eating disorder do not elect to live life shackled with the associated stresses. Factors such as poor self-esteem, poor impulse control, depression, and anxiety all play a part in diagnosing an individual with an eating disorder. The label of “lifestyle choice” implies some level of control, as if the sufferer can phase in and out of their symptoms voluntarily. Adhering to a healthy diet and exercise regimen are both lifestyle choices, but when they are carried out to excessive, compulsive extremes they cease to be considered as such and instead end up as indicators of something far more serious. This lack of control and overall sense of being trapped separates the eating disordered from those simply desiring to lose weight for health reasons. Eating disordered individuals display a complex network of emotional, mental, and physical issues that completely negate any perceptions that they have simply made the choice to hurt themselves.

7. Nobody dies from an eating disorder. : If left untreated or undiagnosed, an eating disorder is one of the few common mental illnesses that can actually kill the host. As a result of unhealthy and inadequate eating habits, sufferers can fall victim to permanent liver, heart, brain, and kidney damage. Inefficient and injured organs potentially lead to a coma, even death. 5-10% of anorexics die within the first ten years of diagnosis, 18-20% after twenty, and 20% will eventually die due to physical complications or suicide. Because of prevailing stigmas and misconceptions, only one in ten eating disordered individuals are estimated to enter into a treatment plan. By driving stakes into these horrifying myths, the psychological community and active, concerned members of society can hopefully save many more lives from ending as a result of a treatable medical condition.

8. The eating disordered only care about looking pretty. : One of the nastiest, most degrading stigmas associated with eating disorders involves taunts and callous dismissals of its victims as shallow, petty bubbleheads concerned only with the pursuit of the insanely specific and unrealistic Hollywood ideal of what constitutes beauty. This blasts a giant and entirely unnecessary rift between the eating disordered and mainstream society, furthering miring them in misunderstood isolation and precluding attempts to seek solace and treatment before it becomes too late. Faced with adversity and scorn from external sources, many choose to simply soldier forth and accept their cruel, anxious fate, believing that even extensive psychotherapy cannot cure them. At their very core, eating disorders are not inherently about food or appearance or beauty. They are about depression, poor self-esteem and self-image, and anxiety. While media blitzes of PhotoShopped celebrities do, in fact, actively help reinforce the issue, they also do not stand as the primary reason why men and women alike succumb to eating disorders.

9. Eating disorders are not illnesses. : The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision officially recognizes four eating disorders – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, rumination syndrome, and EDNOS. Many professionals in the psychological community also recognize binge eating disorders, which are under consideration for inclusion in future publications of the DSM. Because of their inclusion in a an official diagnostic manual used by the psychological and medical communities, eating disorders ought to be regarded as serious illnesses and handled as such.

10. An individual cannot have more than one eating disorder. : A logical assumption, but it is actually incorrect. Because anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS, and rumination syndrome all share common symptoms and underlying issues, some sufferers have been known to drift from one to another in order to try and satiate the depression and anxiety. It is not uncommon for a bulimic to quit a system of binging and purging and resort to eating inadequately, and the same is true in reverse. Professionals as well as concerned family and friends must pay close attention in order to detect subtle shifts in behavior that may signify the presence of multiple eating disorders.

By making an earnest effort to promote an awareness and understanding of eating disorders, millions of lives all over the world can be improved, if not outright saved. Unfortunately, numerous presumptions, misconceptions, and absolute lies prevent many men and women from realizing they suffer from an eating disorder, therefore precluding them from seeking the therapy that could very well mean the difference between life and death. Spreading the truth and destroying these dangerous falsehoods stands as the best method of preventing the suffering of more individuals who do not realize that they are not beyond health, happiness, and hope.

It seems girls especially are starting earlier in your childhood years to worry about being thin. The peer pressure as well as wanting to be like their celebrity idols can lead to girls with a false sense of reality.  Is your teen struggling with their self esteem? Don’t like the way they look?  Be an educated parent, take the time to read these parenting tips and information.

Source: Connect with Kids

Pressures to be Thin

“My friend thinks that people who are thin are smart and popular.”

– Hannah, 8 years old

What makes a 10-year-old girl happy?  Dolls?  Brightly colored dresses?  A new puppy?  According to a study of over 400,000 Canadian children, the answer is being thin.

“My friend thinks that people that are thin are smart and popular,” says Hannah, 8.

Sinay, 9, says the same thing, “I have a friend and she thinks that people that are thinner are smarter and prettier.”

Researchers surveying young girls find that girls are happiest when they’re thin.  And, even as young as ten, over seven percent of the girls are unhappy with their body.

“I am seeing more and more mothers calling me with very young girls, pediatric age, who are struggling with fears of gaining weight (or) wanting to lose weight,” says Page Love, an Atlanta nutritionist and eating disorder counselor.

Experts say young girls are taking cues from a weight-conscious society—movies, television, and magazines—and from home.

“Often it may be hearing their mom talk about dieting, growing up in a house where all they’ve ever known is fat-free condiments and diet meals,” says Love. “And hearing mom talk about not being happy about (her) own weight.”

Love says parents should censor negative messages about weight and body size, in the media, and in their own conversations.  “Because the kids will start to pick up on it and this sets the stage for how they will start to judge and evaluate different body sizes including their own.”
 
And if parents are careful, children can learn another message about their bodies.

“I think it’s beautiful and I take care of it a lot,” says Hannah.

“I am perfect the way I am,” says a self-confident Sinay.

Tips for Parents

Research has shown that as girls move from grade school age into their teen years they are more at risk than boys for suffering a drop in self-esteem. In fact, research shows for some girls, this loss of self- esteem is already present by the age of 5.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University examined the relationship between weight status and self-concept in a group of girls five years of age. The researchers found:

• Girls with higher weight status (weight above average) reported more negative feelings about their bodies than girls with lower weight status.
• Girls with higher weight status had lower perceived cognitive ability than did girls with lower weight status.
• All girls, independent of their weight status, reported more negative feelings about their bodies and/or cognitive abilities if their parents were overly concerned about body weight.

According to The Center for Effective Parenting, self-esteem can be defined as how people feel about themselves.  The recent research reinforces the idea that children begin forming beliefs about themselves early in life. These beliefs evolve from an interaction between their biological, inborn traits such as temperament, intelligence and physical characteristics, and environmental influences such as parenting style of their parents and children’s relationships with other adults and peers. When children are criticized or ignored they can develop negative feelings about themselves.  If not corrected, these negative feelings can follow children throughout life, coloring their level of achievement in academics and relationships.

The Center for Effective Parenting provides many ideas on what parents can do to help their children develop healthy levels of self-esteem.  These include:

• Praise your children.  Praise must be specific and sincere to have a positive effect.  Focus on the positive things your children do.
• Show your children lots of love and affection with words and physical actions.
• Treat your children with respect.  You should treat your children with the same amount of respect that you would show to a friend.
• Be consistent.  Children need things to be predictable in their lives.  Set the rules and consistently enforce them.
• Don’t demand perfection from your children. Children need to know that their parents accept them for who they are—flaws and all. Instead of criticizing children when they make a mistake, parents should try to turn these mistakes into learning experiences.  Ease up on pressure and offer praise and encouragement.
• Pay attention to you own behavior and attitudes.  How parents feel about themselves and the world around them is reflected in their behavior.  Children model their behavior and attitudes after their parents.  Parents can’t expect their children to develop a healthy attitude about themselves unless they first see this healthy attitude in their parents.
• Listen to and respond to your children. Make sure you give your children your complete attention. Try to answer children’s questions as honestly and completely as possible.
• Don’t let your children criticize themselves.  When you catch your child being self-critical, you need to correct him, otherwise your child may believe that you agree with his negative comments.
• Teach your child to use positive self-talk.  The more children repeat good things about themselves to themselves, the more likely they will be to actually believe them and incorporate the positive feelings that go along with them.

Keep in mind that all children will experience fluctuations in their self-esteem.  Parents need to watch out for patterns of behavior that don’t seem to disappear with time.  If you have concerns, consult your health care provider or mental health professional.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• Pediatrics
• The Center for Effective Parenting

Lori Hanson is an Award winning author, speaker and mentor.  After reading her first book, It All Started with Pop-Tarts, I was impressed with her ability to share her own journey with Bulimia as well as her private life.  Most recently she released her book for teens, Teen Secrets to Surviving & THRIVING, again, another fantastic book. Lori is dedicated to others in helping them better understand eating disorders as well as motivating people in a positive direction.  Learn more at Learn2Balance. 

My Daughter Has an Eating Disorder and I Don’t Get It

By Lori Hanson

The bombshell drops. Your precious little girl or boy has an eating disorder. For some parents they suspect and have to figure out how to confront their child. For others, they are blissfully unaware until their child confides in them. 85% of eating disorders start between the ages of 13-20.

Finding out your child has an eating disorder stirs up numerous emotions for a parent. The first reaction seems to start with questions of how could this happen? I was a good parent! Then guilt sets in and for many parents, mom’s in particular they quickly jump on the thought train of what am I going to do to fix it? How can I make it go away quickly and make my child normal again. The embarrassment is there along with the  guilt. For some there is a feeling of betrayal because their child, teen or young adult didn’t tell them about he eating disorder, or didn’t tell them sooner.

But what parents and loved ones don’t understand is why it is so difficult for the child or young adult to tell them. First, it’s incredibly difficult for the individual suffering with an eating disorder to admit to themselves that they have a problem. It’s a behavioral addiction which means it’s a “psychological” thing. Which means there is something mentally wrong. And most individuals aren’t anxious to join that club. Second, the embarrassment, guilt and shame of the eating disorder behavior makes it incredibly difficult to share with family or loved ones. It’s not about betrayal. Third, one of the core characteristics of eating disorders is isolation (in addition to obsession with food, body and more.)

So when the news comes out via an intervention or when the individual suffering approaches loved ones for help just remember, both the individual with the eating disorder and their loved ones are hurt, confused, feeling guilt, embarrassment and shame. Underneath all the embarrassment, the parents core sentiments is usually, “How can I help them recover? What’s the best way to support them?” And depending on where the individual with the eating disorder is on their path, their core sentiment may be denial or wanting to get help.

For the individual suffering the obsessiveness of the behavior is draining, scary and totally controls them. As much as they may want to stop, the fear of losing the control they gain through the disorder is often paralyzing. At the root is low self-esteem, but that is only one of the factors that contributes to an eating disorder.

For most who suffer, they lack the courage to communicate freely, to set appropriate boundaries, and to express their emotions, positive or negative.  The eating disorder behavior helps them numb out and disengage from life and other people. It provides a quiet solitude which evolves into a living hell of isolation and obsession. Digging out on their own to improve self-esteem and gain much needed self-confidence isn’t something most can do on their own.

A holistic approach to treating eating disorders teaches the individual healthy communication skills, helps them improve self-esteem and understand the causes of their addictive behavior. It is critical to understand and address the body and brain chemistry through diet, nutrition and nutritional supplements which helps move the individual beyond “willpower” and gives much needed nutritional support and objectivity. Reprogramming negative thoughts and beliefs is key to recovery and lastly improving mental and physical health with body work rounds out the circle of a solid holistic approach.

So parents, before you get consumed in anger, hurt, embarrassment and try to figure out to make the problem go away quickly realize that as a behavioral addiction it runs deeps and won’t go away with simple comments of “honey, why don’t you just eat.” Unfortunately, this is something the individual suffering has to change, as parents and loved ones you can’t fix it for them. Find a pactitioner your child relates to and a treatment facility that is family oriented and a parent advocate. Healing an individual from an eating disorder can and should have a positive effect on the entire family!

In peace, balance and health,

Lori Hanson
Award-winning author, It Started With Pop-Tarts…An Alternative Approach to Winning the Battle of Bulimia
Speaker and Life Balance Consultant
www.Learn2Balance.com ]]> http://suescheffblog.com/2009/07/sue-scheff/feed/ 0 http://suescheffblog.com/2009/07/sue-scheff-teen-eating-disorders/ http://suescheffblog.com/2009/07/sue-scheff-teen-eating-disorders/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:20:11 +0000 Sue Scheff http://suescheffblog.com/?p=1911 Johanna Curtis is dedicated to helping teens improve their self image through their body image and skin care. She recently submitted this informational article on teens and eating disorders.  Be an educated parent!  Take the time to learn more.

By Johanna Curtis

Is your teen losing weight, suffering from severe acne, hiding food, or fasting? Could it be Anorexia or Bulimia? Causes, symptoms and treament discussed.

Teen Eating Disorders – Recognizing Bulimia and Anorexia

Does Your Teenage Boy or Girl Show Weight Loss, Increased Body Hair, Acne?

How to Spot the Signs of an Eating Disorder

Is your teen losing weight, suffering skin problems like severe acne, hiding food, binging, vomiting or fasting? He or she might have an eating disorder.  

Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia are serious eating disorders that have severe health impacts, sometimes even causing death in teens as young as eleven or twelve.

 Weight loss, over-excercising, acne, counting calories, depression and disorted body image, binging or uncontrolled eating, vomiting, and hiding food.  These are just some of the symptoms.  There are many others.

 Symptoms of Anorexia:

 Weight loss-15% below the ideal weight for her age and height.

Being obsessive about counting calories and eating fat-free foods.   

A fear of gaining weight.

Being cagey about eating habits.

Obsessive and compulsive or excessive exercising.

Abusing laxatives or diuretics.

Mood and emotional problems like depression or anxiety.

A severely distorted self and body image.

Loss of bone mass.

Absence of menstrual periods.

Low body temperature.

Death-from dehydration, heart failure or other causes.

The main symptom of Anorexia Nervosa is a marked fear of being fat and obssessions about being and becoming thin.  This usually translates into intense and secretive efforts to avoid food.  No matter how thin an anorexic girl or by becmes they will still see themselves as fat.  Ultimately the person will starve themselves, and use excercise and laxatives to aid this process. 

Unfortunately attempting to force an anorexic teen to eat will likely end in failure and might even make the problem worse.  This is because the disorder isn’t really about food or weight.  Some patients become obsessed with other health concerns like treating acne, hair care, or how they dress and behave. 

Anorexia is more than just a desire to look good or be accepted.  Teens with these diseases are looking for more than just a perfect body.  Anorexia is a complex psychological disorder that is linked to severe depression and low self-esteem.

Symptoms of Bulimia: 

Uncontrollable eating (binge eating).

Dieting, fasting and vomiting as weight control measures.  

Visiting the bathroom often after eating –usually to purge.

Heartburn, indigestion or sore throat.

Being obssessive about body weight.

Mood changes and depression.

Hoarding or hiding food.

Dental changes such as loss of enamel, cavities and abrasions –due to frequent vomiting.

Dehydration and electrolyte loss.

Bowel, kidney and liver damage.

Irregular heartbeat and possible cardiac arrest.

Teens with bulimia eat very large amounts of food and then induce vomiting to remove the food from their bodies.  They are not comfortable or happy with their self and body image. 

Most appear to be of normal weight, which can make the disorder difficult to spot, but some are underweight or overweight.  Some sufferers also abuse drugs and alcohol.  Bear in mind that many obese people have binge eating disorder but this is not the same as Bulumia.

Who gets Anorexia and Bulimia?

Around 75% of girls are not happy about their weight or feel they are too fat.  Anorexia occurs only in 1% of girls worldwide.  Do bear in mind that while eating disorders are more common in girls they also affect teen boys. 

 About 90% of sufferers are girls between 12 and 25 (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). Fewer than 10% are boys or men.  It is more prevalent in groups that value slim physiques such as athletes, dancers or models. As already mentioned eating disorders may be masked in seeking treatment for acne, skin problems, tooth decay etc. just as an adult might.

  What causes eating disorders? 

It is not known exactly why one person will develop an eating disorder and another won’t.  In two thirds of cases dieting can trigger the disease, but this is not the only important trigger mechanism.  Most girls and boys with eating disorders have low self and body image or co-existing emotional disorders like anxiety and depression. 

How dangerous are eating disorders? 

The effects of both Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia can be very damaging to the general health.  They can even cause death.  Diuretics (water pills), laxatives, and weight loss pills can be very damaging to the body’s organs.  Syrup of ipecac is often used to induce vomiting and is also deadly if used in excess. Very low body weight on its own offers some life-threatening complications.  

Some effects are minor such as skin, hair problems and back acne, for which treatment might be sought. Most teenagers do not need any type of diet, except a healthy one.  If your teen is overweight good eating habits and exercise is usually all that is needed to bring the problem under control.   

 The body mass index (BMI) of a teen is more important than calorie and pound counting.  A body mass index below the 5th percentile for the child’s age and sex can be considered underweight.  Consult BMI tables for more information. 

How to help your teen cope with an eating disorder:

Teens can be helped to avoid falling prey to unhealthy obsessions with food or weight by learning early on to associate healthy eating with good health and self-love.  Avoid excessive focus on weight within the family and place the emphasis on lifestyle changes not dieting.  

If you suspect that your teen has an eating disorder, use “I” statements and make sure he or she understands that you are concerned not judging.  It is important to LISTEN.  The average teen finds it hard to share emotions, and these teens are especially blocked or sensitive.

 In Anorexia nervosa it is very important that some weight is regained as soon as possible so this should be an important goal of treatment.  To do this, teens will need to overcome fears and perceptions in a therapeutic setting.  In most cases any eating disorder is best dealt with at a clinic or facility especially tailored for this.  

Concerned parents can call the National Eating Disorders Association’s Toll-Free Information and Referral HelpLine at 1-800-931-2237. 

If you uncover that your child does have an eating disorder he or she needs to be evaluated as soon as possible. Eating disorders need to be properly diagnosed by medical and psychiatric professionals. They always need medical attention.

The National Institute of Mental Health has an online brochure on eating disorders that discusses current research.  

Eating Disorders will also provide parents with information. Teens should read: Eating Disorders:  Facts for Teens.