Please read below for information about the warning signs and dangers associated with eating disorders:
Anorexia Nervosa Warning Signs:
- Loss of menstrual period.
- Dieting excessively when not overweight, claiming to "feel fat" when not overweight.
- Preoccupation with food, calories, nutrition, cooking.
- Denial of hunger.
- Excessive exercise.
- Frequent weighing.
- Use of laxatives and/or vomiting to control weight.
- Leaving for the bathroom after meals.
- Strange food behaviors.
- Complaints of feeling bloated or nauseated when eating normal amounts of food.
- Intermittent episodes of binge eating.
Bulimia Warning Signs:
- Excessive concern about weight.
- Strict diet followed by binges.
- Frequent overeating, especially when distressed.
- Binging on high calorie sweet food.
- Expressing guilt or shame about eating.
- Being secretive about binges and vomiting.
- Planning binges or opportunities to binge.
- Feeling out of control.
- Disappearing after a meal.
- Depressive moods.
Some Eating Disorder Statistics:
- Eating disorders affect 5-10 million Americans and 70 million people worldwide.
- Approximately 1 million males have an eating disorder.
- The diet and diet related industry is a 50 billion dollar a year enterprise.
- Time magazine reports that 80% of all children have been on a diet by the time they are in 4th grade.
- 35% of "normal dieters" progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full syndrome eating disorders. (Shisslak & Crago)
- 10-25% of all those battling anorexia will die as a direct result of the eating disorder (ANAD).
- Bulimia often occurs in athletes such as gymnasts, wrestlers, dancers, horse jockeys, football players, and runners.
- According to a recent study, over ½ the females between the ages of 18 and 25 would prefer to be run over by a truck than be fat, and 2/3 would rather be mean or stupid (M. Maine).
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