What Is An Eating Disorder?

Most young girls, hell-bent on looking thin or when thin becomes an obsession or a "fashion", they fall into the trap of eating disorder........

What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is a negative change in eating behaviour, typically manifested through extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or excessive overeating, accompanied by feelings of distress or extreme concerns about body shape or weight.

The 2 main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is when one engages in self-induced food restrictions and excessive exercise though underweight.

Bulimia nervosa is when one overeats uncontrollably, followed by self-induced vomiting and purging using laxatives.

An eating disorder usually develops during adolescence or early adulthood, but some can occur during childhood or later in adulthood.

An eating disorder doesn't stand alone - it tends to bring along other psychiatric problems such as depression, substance abuse and anxiety.

Sufferers can experience a wide range of physical health complications as well, such as heart conditions and kidney failure which may lead to death.

Females are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. For every 10 to 20 females with eating disorders, there would be only one male with similar problem.

What Is An Eating Disorder - The Symptoms

How to know if one suffers from an eating disorder?

Well, you can detect these signs and symptoms that usually accompany the disorder:

The Physical Signs

1. Significant weight loss in a short period of time

2. Cessation of menstruation of at least 3 months or failure to begin menstruation at an appropriate age

3. Constipation

4. Loss of hair

5. Exhaustion

6. Hypertension

7. Dizziness and fainting spells

8. Dental enamel erosion

9. Excessively dry skin

10. Abdominal distress

The Psychological Signs

1. Depression

2. Confusion

3. Unusual moodiness

4. Forgetfulness

5. Anxiety

6. Outbursts of anger

7. Sleep disorder

8. Spells of crying

9. Repetitive behaviour or thought

10. Bizzare obsessions

The Behaviour

1. Not eating at all or extreme restriction to food intake

2. Cut food into small pieces

3. Excessive dieting

4. Eat only a few number of food groups (usually fruits, non-fat/low-fat foods)

5. Hide or hoard food

6. Eat unusually large amount of food

7. Throw up after meal/snack

8. Excessive intake of diet pills, laxatives and enemas

9. Spend long time in the toilet after eating

10. Exercise excessively

What Is An Eating Disorder - The Causes

According to researchers, causes that contribute to an eating disorder include one's personality, genetic make-up and pressure from society that for girls, being thin is the desired "hip" thing.

What Is An Eating Disorder - The Treatment

An eating disorder is a chronic condition with devastating physical, psychological and social consequences if not given immediate attention and multi-disciplinary approach treatments by experts like physicians, psychiatrists, dieticians and family therapists. It can be treated and a healthy weight restored.

Treatment of anorexia involves specific program that:

1. Restores weight lost due to severe dieting and purging;

2. Treats psychological conditions such as distortion of body image, low self-esteem and interpersonal conflicts;

3. Emphasises long-term remission and rehabilitation or full recovery.

Treatment for bulimia zeroes in to reduce or eliminate binge eating and purging behaviour through:

1. Establishment of a pattern of regular, non-binge meals;

2. Encouragement of healthy but not excessive exercise and

3. Resolution of co-occurring conditions such as mood or anxiety disorders.

One thing though, a sufferer doesn't always admit that she's ill. As a result, she may strongly resist getting and staying in treatment. Family support and involvement are crucial to ensure that she receives needed care and rehabilitation.

What is An Eating Disorder - The Healthy Perspective?

The best way to prevent an eating disorder is through the cultivation of healthy attitudes toward food, weight control, exercise and beauty or body image within families.

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Weight Loss Facts:

Low Fat Foods DON'T WORK.

You cannot lose weight using Low Fat Diets. Low fat foods have been popular for more than 15 years, but yet our society is getting more overweight as each year passes. This fact alone should tell you that eating a purely low fat menu is not the answer to losing weight.

Low Calorie Diets DON'T WORK.

You won't lose weight using a Low Calorie Dieting Plan either. In fact, eating low calories is the worst thing that you can do to your body, since that will only slow down your body's fat burning engine and ruin all chances of losing weight (low calorie diets may allow a few pounds of weight loss for the first few days, but then after that all weight loss comes to a halt --- known as a dieting plateau). You can never get slim by starving yourself.

Low Carb Plans DON'T WORK.

You'll probably find it extremely difficult to get slim using a Low Carb Dieting Plan. Low carb diets have recently become popular over the last couple years, but the problem with low carb menus is that they are too strict and TOO HARD TO FOLLOW for average people. Low carb menus tend to rob your body of too much energy (carbohydrates) and make it nearly impossible to remain on the program for very long. This is why so many dieters find it difficult to follow a strict low carbohydrate menu.

What about Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig Dieting Plans?

Weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers (and Jenny Craig) usually involve slower dieting progress over a longer period of time, since such programs generally promise only 2-3 pounds of weight loss per week. Also, programs such as Jenny Craig usually involve buying special meals and/or dietary supplements during the initial phases of the program. While some people may like these types of dietary programs, we prefer a dieting plan which focuses on faster weight loss, such as the Accelerated Fat Burning Program shown below...

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Fighting Child Obesity

Fitness and nutrition expert, Tracey Redford of Curves International says, The inactivity among young people can not be blamed solely on the evolution of Internet technology and television in itself. Child obesity has lead to a number of other health related issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease from the combination of improper nutrition and lack of exercise.

Redford went on to say, We live in a complex society where children of all ages have to contend with social issues such as depression, violence and divorce all having a downward spiraling affect both physically and emotionally. The psychological impact this has on our youth s triggers an imbalance in eating habits and leads to a lack of motivation creating a domino effect.


A summer camp experience with weight loss benefits

Last year in Canada alone the government spent over $2 billion on medical procedures surrounding obesity. No matter how many times we read about or see it on the news, children still do not understand the connection between eating, exercise and a healthy body. Rather than pointing fingers and placing blame, we need more resources and programs that can be offered such as summer camp programs specializing in weight loss. These camps are sometimes referred to as fat camps for young children and teens to guide them and educate them on making good healthy choices.

Children and parents shouldn t be turned off by the words, fat camp which simply means a place where children of all ages can get fit, learn about nutritional balance and have fun doing so. Getting to participate in sports, crafts, and making make new friends while achieving weight loss in a nurturing environment provides a positive alternative for kids, and can pave the way to combat obesity.

The ultimate goal is sustainable healthy weight loss

When children feel they have no options, they continue on the same path of poor eating habits leading to a state of helplessness. Sending a child to a gym where they feel isolated and eventually lose motivation is not the solution either. Redford explains, We need far better choices if we want our youth s to get on track and stay on track. Weight loss camps for pre-teens and teenagers are a viable solution.

What exactly is a weight loss camp? It s about building a better self-image and self esteem while promoting health and wellness with individualized programs geared to weight loss that yields long term results. This is the foundation of the whole weight loss summer camp experience. A nutritionist designs an appropriate menu enabling campers to lose the weight and provide the necessary tools to keep the weight off upon returning home from camp. Understanding that the parent s role is crucial in encouraging proper weight control for their children, the camps provide access to a network of nutritionist across the country.

Healthy Weight Loss Program: Your Personal Exercise Prescription

A fat burning exercise prescription is a MUST for the long term success of any healthy weight loss program. Guidelines for healthy weight loss related to exercise and physical activity have been steadily improving over the last 20 years.

Along with the 1996 Surgeon General's recommendations, the American College of Sports Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association have all issued statements on the importance of regular physical exercise in a healthy weight loss program.


The diet industry also endorses exercise as a beneficial component in any healthy weight loss plan.

In fact, look at the disclaimers of any fad diet, special weight loss pill, or fat reducing fruit nectar and you'll see where, in addition to the "unbelievable benefits" of their product, the practice of proper nutrition and consistent aerobic exercise are highly recommended to achieve optimal healthy weight loss results.

In other words, these companies are telling you that eating right and the incorporation of moderate aerobic exercise have more to do with the overall outcome of the healthy weight loss plan than does their "miracle pill".

Overview
1. Determine your age adjusted maximum heart rate (220 your age = maximum heart rate)

2. Determine your optimum fat burning exercise heart rate range (maximum heart rate x .6 = minimum heart rate; maximum exercise heart rate x .75 = maximum exercise heart rate

3. Exercise for 30 minutes, 3 times per week, keeping your heart rat between 60% and 75% of your age adjusted maximum heart rate.

4. Perform the flexibility exercises listed below 2 3 times per week.

Exercise Prescription
Exercise, by definition, means purposeful movement. Although many kinds of exercise exist, certain exercises may not be necessarily therapeutic for you. Remember, an exercise prescription is just that; it s a prescription. Very little benefit will be obtained with nonspecific, over the counter exercise programs. Your understanding of the purpose, principles, and adherence to each prescribed exercise technique will be essential to the development of a positive outcome.

The purposes of an exercise prescription are to:
1. Increase muscular flexibility
2. Normalize and balance muscle tone by increasing oxygen rich blood flow to the tissue
3. Integrate muscle activity
4. Restoration of functional movement
5. Restoration of functional muscle strength and endurance

The exercise principles listed below serve as a guideline for proper application. Study the principles carefully in order to maximize the effectiveness of your exercise program.

Exercises designed to improve flexibility should be performed several times per day. Each exercise should be held for 30-60 seconds to allow the tissue to elongate.

Exercise prescribed to improve strength, mobility, and endurance should be performed at a pace that would enable you to complete the prescribed number of repetitions in one minute. If multiple sets are prescribed for each exercise session, a 90 second rest interval should follow each set.

Never hold your breath during exercise. Your therapist will instruct you in the proper breathing technique that will facilitate a better exercise outcome.

You may experience a slight ache or discomfort following your first or second exercise session. This is a normal reaction referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and should go away in a day or so. This type of muscle soreness is not a cause for stopping your exercise program.

If the exercise reproduces a specific pain or makes an already existing pain become more widespread, stop the exercise and inform your physician immediately.

Allow yourself enough time to complete the exercise as prescribed. Exercise sessions that are rushed through with little attention paid to technique will be ineffective and will prolong your symptoms. If time becomes an issue, perform a few repetitions several times throughout the day.

Don t be in a hurry to advance to more strenuous exercise. Remember that tissue adaptation to new forms of stress takes time. In some cases it took years for your condition to develop. It is unrealistic to expect that the condition will be resolved after just a few exercise sessions. Compliance with your prescribed program and patience will result in the desired outcome.

In combination with a healthy diet and nutrition plan, a fat burning exercise prescription is a necessary component of any healthy weight loss program.

Before beginning any healthy weigh loss program, it is strongly advised that you consult with your physician.

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