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Eating disorders are illnesses with a biological basis
modified and influenced by emotional and cultural factors. The stigma
associated with eating disorders has long kept individuals suffering in
silence, inhibited funding for crucial research and created barriers to
treatment. Because of insufficient information, the public and
professionals fail to recognize the dangerous consequences of eating
disorders. While eating disorders are serious, potentially
life-threatening illnesses, there is help available and recovery is possible. |
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Whether you're a girl, boy, woman, man, parent, coach, educator or student we have information for you! You'll find an entire list of our informational pages below, or for more refined, population-specific information simply look at the menu on the left.
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Anorexia Nervosa is a serious, potentially
life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and
excessive weight loss.
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Anorexia Nervosa is a severe, life-threatening
disorder in which the individual refuses to maintain a minimally normal
body weight, is intensely afraid of gaining weight, and exhibits a
significant distortion in the perception of the shape or size of his
body, as well as dissatisfaction with his body shape and size.
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Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia,
and binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes, and
behaviors surrounding weight and food issues.
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In
a study of Division 1 NCAA athletes, over one-third of female athletes
reported attitudes and symptoms placing them at risk for anorexia
nervosa. Though most athletes with eating disorders are female, male
athletes are also at risk --especially those competing in sports that
tend to place an emphasis on the athlete’s diet, appearance, size, and
weight requirements.
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Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a type of
eating disorder not otherwise specified and is characterized by
recurrent binge eating without the regular use of compensatory measures
to counter the binge eating.
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Binge eating disorder is a severe,
life-threatening disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of
compulsive overeating or binge eating. In binge eating disorder, the
purging in an attempt to prevent weight gain that is characteristic of
bulimia nervosa is absent.
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Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or picture yourself in your mind.
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Bulimia Nervosa is a serious, potentially
life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of bingeing
and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to
undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.
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Bulimia nervosa is a severe, life-threatening
disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed
by self-induced vomiting or other purging methods (e.g. laxatives,
diuretics, excessive exercise, fasting) in an attempt to avoid weight
gain.
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While eating disorders may begin with preoccupations with food and weight, they are most often about much more than food.
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The frequent vomiting and nutritional
deficiencies that often accompany eating disorders can have severe
consequences on one’s oral health. Studies have found that up to 89% of
bulimic patients show signs of tooth erosion.
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Dietary habits can and do play a role
in oral health. Everyone has heard from their dentist that eating too
much sugar can lead to cavities, but did you know that high intake of
acidic "diet" foods can have an equally devastating effect on your
teeth?
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Eating disorders arise from a variety of
physical, emotional, social, and familial issues, all of which need to
be addressed for effective prevention and treatment.
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Eating disorders do not just affect
white, upper-class women. There is still much to learn about how eating
disorders affect individuals of all races and further research must be
conducted to ensure that our efforts to combat these illnesses are
inclusive of all women and men.
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Through their involvement with school-age
children, educators have the opportunity to notice weight fluctuations
and irregular eating habits.
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There are some detrimental things that
educators can do when addressing a child they suspect may have an
eating disorder. Some of these include casting a net of awe and wonder
around the existence of an eating disorder and oversimplifying that
eating disorders are "just a phase".
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Recognize that bodies come in all different
shapes and sizes. There is no one "right" body size. Your body is not,
and should not, be exactly like anyone else's. Try to see your body as
a facet of your uniqueness and individuality.
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Genetics influence bone structure, body size, shape, and weight differently in every person.
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In spite of the unprecedented growth of
eating disorders in the past two decades, eating disorders research
continues to be under-funded, insurance coverage for treatment is
inadequate, and societal pressures to be thin remain rampant.
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Individuals involved with youth and
adolescents, such as educators, parents, health professionals, and
physicians can prevent the further development of issues and concerns
regarding weight through their own actions and words of encouragement
toward healthful eating practices and attitudes.
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Eating disorders are real, complex, and
devastating conditions that can have serious consequences for health,
productivity, and relationships.
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You cannot force someone to seek help, change
their habits, or adjust their attitudes. You will make important
progress in honestly sharing your concerns, providing support, and
knowing where to go for more information!
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Eating disorders affect people of every race,
gender and age. When engaging in outreach efforts it is important to
take into account the many different individuals and groups that you
are trying to reach.
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Americans spend more than $40 billion dollars a year on dieting and diet-related products.
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Laxative
abuse is serious and dangerous - often resulting in a variety of health
complications and sometimes causing life-threatening risks.
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Eat
what you want, when you are truly hungry. Stop when you're full. And
eat exactly what appeals to you. Do this instead of any diet, and you
are unlikely to ever have a weight problem, let alone an eating
disorder.
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Eat when you are truly hungry. Stop when you are full.
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Signing this declaration of independence from a weight-obsessed world may help you accept your body's natural shape and size.
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Pregnancy
and motherhood. Professionals recommend that women with eating
disorders do their best to resolve the eating disorder related weight
and behavior problems before they attempt to get pregnant.
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There are various approaches to eating
disorders treatment. It is important to find an option that is most
effective for your needs.
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Once you have chosen a treatment provider, you may want to consider asking these questions in your first meeting.
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Approximately 10% of eating disordered individuals coming to the attention of mental health professionals are male.
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Unfortunately, some patients and families
frequently have to fight to get the appropriate and necessary treatment
for eating disorders. Here are some arguments to use when trying to
secure treatment from an insurance provider or another third party.
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When you begin to notice that disordered
eating habits are affecting your life, your happiness, and your ability
to concentrate, it is important that you talk to somebody about what
you're going through.
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In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions more
are struggling with binge eating disorder (Crowther et al., 1992;
Fairburn et al., 1993; Gordon, 1990; Hoek, 1995; Shisslak et al.,
1995).
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Eating disorders do not discriminate on the basis of gender. Men can and do develop eating disorders.
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Taking care of your body and doing things you enjoy will enable you to enjoy a happy, participatory life.
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One list cannot automatically tell you how to
turn negative body thoughts into positive body image, but it can help
you think about new ways of looking more healthfully and happily at
yourself and your body. The more you do that, the more likely you are
to feel good about who you are and the body you naturally have.
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Examine closely your dreams and goals for your children and other loved ones. Are you over-emphasizing beauty and body shape?
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Eating disorders are complex conditions that
arise from a variety of factors, including physical, psychological,
interpersonal, and social issues. Media images that help to create
cultural definitions of beauty and attractiveness are often
acknowledged as being among those factors contributing to the rise of
eating disorders.
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One of the ways we can protect our self-esteem
and body image from the media's often narrow definitions of beauty and
acceptability is to become a critical viewer of the media messages we
are bombarded with each day.
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10 ways that coaches, trainers, and athletic directors can help keep their athletes healthy and prevent eating disorders.
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It is no fun to worry all the time about how
much you weigh, how much you eat, or whether you are thin. Here are
some things you can do.
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The most effective and long-lasting treatment
for an eating disorder is some form of psychotherapy or counseling,
coupled with careful attention to medical and nutritional needs.
Ideally, this treatment should be tailored to the individual and will
vary according to both the severity of the disorder and the patient's
individual problems, needs, and strengths.
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How can someone with an eating disorder
healthfully navigate through the busy holiday season? Here are twelve
suggestions that may help.
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Think of your body as the vehicle to your dreams. Honor it. Respect it. Fuel it.
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Be a model of healthy self-esteem and body
image. Recognize that others pay attention and learn from the way you
talk about yourself and your body. Choose to talk about yourself with
respect and appreciation.
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If you are worried about your friend’s eating
behaviors or attitudes, it is important to express your concerns in a
loving and supportive way. It is also necessary to discuss your worries
early on, rather than waiting until your friend has endured many of the
damaging physical and emotional effects of eating disorders.
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Living in our culture, it's not surprising if
you feel you have to look a certain way to be happy or even healthy.
However, the things you are doing to be thin can quickly spin out of control and become a serious life-threatening eating disorder.
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http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
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