Content Writer: Ananya Anindita Content Editor: Ayisha Farah Blog Designer: Halima Asif “Oh god! Are you really going to eat that much?” “Why are you eating so little? Are you dieting?” Have you heard/said any of these ever? You probably have. We tend to say something nonchalantly, but are not aware of the extent of its impact on the other person. These tiny, so-called “harmless” comments play a massive role in developing body image issues, which in turn plays a huge role in ‘eating disorders’. Eating disorders are defined as, “Any disorder characterized primarily by a pathological disturbance of attitudes and behaviors related to food.” – APA. A combination of genetic, environmental and social factors are the contributors to the development of eating disorders. Research has proved that if one twin develops an eating disorder, the other has a 50% likelihood of developing the same. Thus, proving the genetic connection. Also, someone, who has a neurotic, perfectionist, impulsive personality trait, has a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. Anorexia Nervosa - Disorder characterized by an obsession with being thin, an intense fear of gaining weight, even if they are underweight, and a distorted perception of weight or body shape. Bulimia Nervosa - An individual consumes an unusually large amount of food and then proceeds to purge to make up for the extra calories. Binge eating - An individual tends to binge eat large amounts of food, has no control over oneself, and doesn’t resort to purging behaviours. This is most common in the US. and is a leading cause of heart strokes and diabetes. Pica- A disorder where an individual craves non-edible substances like chalk, dirt, soap, hair etc. This condition is mainly observed in children, pregnant women and the mentally challenged. Rumination disorder- In this, an individual regurgitates previously chewed food, chews it again and either swallows or spits it out. This is not a biological reflex; instead is a voluntary action. It leads to severe weight loss and malnutrition. There is an immense stigma surrounding this topic. People don’t take it seriously; they think of it as a “teen thing”. Also, the notion that E.D. is a rich person disorder and celebrities (females) are the only ones going through it makes it seem somewhat irrelevant to the normal man. In reality, E.D. affects both rich and poor, male, female, non-binary, adult, and child. E.D. is much more than a diet gone wrong. It’s a severe and lethal mental disorder and NOT a lifestyle; a “just eat” is not helpful! E.D. in men is heavily underdiagnosed as compared to women. Men feel extreme shame to talk about it as it’s a supposed “women’s problem”. About one in every three people suffering from E.D. is a male. The NEDA says that about 10 million men will go through E.D. in their lifetime. 15% of anorexia cases are men. Binge eating is more common in men as compared to women. Women are most likely to resort to forced vomiting, laxatives as purging methods, while men are most likely to exercise excessively or fast. Women are most likely to go through mood disorders as a side effect, while men develop anxiety and psychotic disorders, schizophrenia being the most common one among them. Out of the total number of diagnosed male, 42% belong to the LGBTQ community. Gay males are seven times more at risk of suffering from an E.D. and 12 times more likely to display purging behaviour. The LGBTQ community is at a higher risk. This is because of the pre-existing stigma around their sexuality, the internal conflict, social and familial pressure, and basic unacceptance in society. 65% of people with E.D. say bullying contributed to their condition, and 33% of homosexual teenagers have undergone bullying by their peers. All these pre-existing factors contribute to issues like alienation, depression, suicidal thoughts etc. Overwhelmed by these stressors, individuals develop E.D. Some see it as a coping mechanism against trauma. Transgender clients, in particular, try to make themselves smaller, which they feel makes them less of a target, less seen. The cultural perception of “perfect body” also plays a huge role, as they already have such low self-esteem and self-acceptance issues, they try to make themselves fit into at least one of the societal standards. Overall, getting over these disorders is extremely difficult, as it affects an individual’s self-esteem. The best way to help someone with eating disorders is to make sure that you are understanding and patient. Motivating them, saying positive things regularly, and creating a safe environment. We have to eat to live! So unless you stole it, you should never feel guilty about anything you eat! REFERENCES: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders#bottom-line https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/ https://dictionary.apa.org/eating-disorders https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa/news/20190906/mens-eating-disorders-often-not-recognized
1 Comment
ANAM HASSAN
6/17/2021 12:45:29 am
Really enlightening ..good job writers and designers
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