Eating Disorders

Body Image: Loving Yourself Inside and Out Home > Eating Disorders

• Over-Exercising

"Mirror, Mirror on the wall...who's the thinnest one of all?" According to the National Eating Disorders Association, the average American woman is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 117 pounds. All too often, society associates being "thin", with "hard-working, beautiful, strong and self-disciplined." On the other hand, being "fat" is associated with being "lazy, ugly, weak and lacking will-power." Because of these harsh critiques, rarely are women completely satisfied with their image. As a result, they often feel great anxiety and pressure to achieve and/or maintain an imaginary appearance.

Eating disorders are serious medical problems. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are all types of eating disorders. Eating disorders frequently develop during adolescence or early adulthood, but can occur during childhood or later in adulthood. Females are more likely than males to develop an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are more than just a problem with food. Food is used to feel in control of other feelings that may seem overwhelming. For example, starving is a way for people with anorexia to feel more in control of their lives and to ease tension, anger, and anxiety. Purging and other behaviors to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and to ease stress and anxiety.

While there is no single known cause of eating disorders, several things may contribute to the development of these disorders:

• Culture. The U.S. has a social and cultural ideal of extreme thinness. Women partially define themselves by how physically attractive they are.
• Personal characteristics. Feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and poor self-image often accompany eating disorders.
• Other emotional disorders. Other mental health problems, like depression or anxiety, occur along with eating disorders.

  The National Eating Disorders Association has a list of doctors, nutritionists, counselors, and inpatient and/or outpatient facilities in your area.

• Stressful events or life changes. Things like starting a new school or job or being teased and traumatic events like rape can lead to the onset of eating disorders.
• Biology. Studies are being done to look at genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain that may have an effect on the development of, and recovery from eating disorders.
• Families. The attitude of parents about appearance and diet affects their kids' attitudes. Also, if your mother or sister has bulimia, you are more likely to have it.

Over-Exercising

Too much of a good thing can be very bad for you. Just like eating disorders, societal pressures to be thin can also push women to over exercise. Over-exercise is when someone engages in strenuous physical activity to the point that is unsafe and unhealthy. In fact, some studies indicate that young women who are compelled to exercise at excessive levels are at risk for developing eating disorders.

Eating disorders and over exercising go hand-in-hand — they both can be a result of an unhealthy obsession with your body. The most dangerous aspect of over-exercising is the ease with which it can go unrecognized. The condition can be easily hidden by an emphasis on fitness or a desire to be healthy. Over-exercising is placed in the same class as eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia where individuals deny themselves of adequate nutrition by restrictive eating behaviors.

According to the American Journal of Sports Medicine, a host of physical consequences can result from over-exercising — pulled muscles, stress fractures, knee trauma, shin splints, strained hamstrings, and ripped tendons.

Remember, fitness should be done within limits and integrated into your lifestyle, done in moderation like everything else in life. If exercising is getting in the way of your daily activities or relationships, you may need to slow down.

Additional Information on Eating Disorders:

Publications

1.   Binge Eating Disorder — This fact sheet describes the symptoms, causes, complications, and treatment of binge eating disorder, along with a profile of those at risk for the disorder.

   http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/binge.htm

2.   Eating Disorders — This detailed booklet describes symptoms, causes, and treatments of eating disorders. It also includes information on getting help and coping.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/summary.shtml

3.   Fact Sheet — Anorexia Nervosa — This fact sheet offers information about anorexia nervosa. It gives the definition, causes, signs and symptoms, and the effects it has on the body. It also provides information for pregnant women.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/anorexia-nervosa.cfm

4.   Fact Sheet — Binge Eating Disorder — This fact sheet provides information on binge eating disorder, including the cause, what the risks are, and how it can be treated.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/binge-eating-disorder.cfm

5.   Fact Sheet — Bulimia Nervosa — This fact sheet answers common questions about bulimia nervosa. It explains what it is, what the causes are, what the warning signs are, how it affects the body, and what treatment options are available.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/bulimia-nervosa.cfm

6.   50 Ways to Lose the 3 Ds: Dieting, Drive for Thinness, and Body Dissatisfaction (Copyright © National Eating Disorders Association) — This tip sheet offers advice about how you can improve your body image and make sure your children grow up with a positive body image, too.

   http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/information-resources/50-Ways-to-Lose-the-3Ds.pdf...

7. Compulsive Exercise (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) — This on-line publication provides information on compulsive exercise, its warning signs, and the serious effects it can have on a teenager's health.

   http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/compulsive_exercise.html

8. Consequences of Eating Disorders (Copyright © Academy for Eating Disorders) — This Web page describes the psychological and medical consequences of eating disorders over the long term. It has information about what happens to the different functions of your body, and the related conditions that people with eating disorders are likely to encounter.

   http://www.aedweb.org/eating_disorders/consequences.cfm

9. Diagnoses of Eating Disorders (Copyright © Academy for Eating Disorders) — This Web page describes the warning signs of various eating disorders and discusses how they are diagnosed. If you are worried about a friend or family member, this site can help you find out if certain behaviors could indicate an eating disorder.

   http://www.aedweb.org/eating_disorders/diagnoses.cfm

10. Eating Disorders (Copyright © APA) — This fact sheet describes the three main types of eating disorders, who suffers from them, and how a psychologist can help.

    http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=9

11. Eating Disorders (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) — This Web page describes the signs, symptoms, and causes of eating disorders. The page also includes information about treatments.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eating-disorders/DS00294

12.   How to Afford Appropriate Treatment for an Eating Disorder: A Guide for Patients & Their Families (Copyright © National Eating Disorder Association) — This publication provides detailed information on where to find appropriate treatment, how to find out if it is covered by insurance, what to do if it isn't, and where to get financial assistance for eating disorder treatment.

    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/information-resources/Eating%20Disorders%20Survival%20G...

13.   How to Help a Friend with Eating and Body Image Issues (Copyright © NEDA) — This publication describes the ways that you can help a friend with an eating disorder.

    https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/information-resources/How%20To%20Help%20a%20Friend%20w...

14. Risk Factors of Eating Disorders (Copyright © Academy for Eating Disorders) — This brief fact sheet discusses the risk factors that might make someone more likely to develop an eating disorder, such as gender, ethnicity, weight, and genetic factors.

    http://www.aedweb.org/eating_disorders/risk_factors.cfm

15. Treatment (Copyright © Academy for Eating Disorders) — This fact sheet discusses in depth the different treatment options available for people with eating disorders. It includes information about the initial assessment, psychological treatments, medical treatments, and more.

    http://www.aedweb.org/eating_disorders/treatment.cfm

16.   What Should I Say? Tips for Talking to a Friend Who May Be Struggling With an Eating Disorder (Copyright © National Eating Disorders Association) —

    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/WhatISay.pdf...

17.   What's Going On With Me? Evaluating Eating and Exercising Habits (Copyright © National Eating Disorders Association) — This fact sheet explains the difference between an eating disorder and what is called “disordered eating.” It identifies behaviors that are common in people with disordered eating, and explains how these behaviors can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being.

    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/WhatGoOn.pdf...

Organizations

1.   National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
2.   National Mental Health Information Center, SAMHSA, HHS
3. Academy for Eating Disorders
4. American Psychological Association
5. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
6. National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
7. National Eating Disorders Association
8. Overeaters Anonymous
9. T.H.E. (Treatment, Healing, Education) Center for Disordered Eating

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated September 22, 2009.