Be Informed: Diets, Comments & Eating Disorders

On June 2nd every year is World Eating Disorders Action Day. It is an opportunity to raise awareness collectively no matter where we are simply because eating disorders do not discriminate. Eating disorders affect at least 9 % of the world population (Arcelus, Jon et al. 2011). A recent review in 2019 found that eating disorders has been increasing over time and that the lifetime prevalence for women was 8.4% (3.3-18.6%) and for men 2.2% (0.8-6.5%) (Galmiche & al., 2019). Adolescents are at greater risk with an onset between 12 and 25 years old (Volpe et al., 2016). And according to the National Eating Disorders Collaboration, eating disorders can affect anyone, from younger than 5 years to as old as 80 years (NEDC, 2017). And 1 in 5 die as a result of complications.

Eating disorders are complex conditions with no single clear cause. Biological, genetic, psychological, emotional and social influences are at play. Diets are the number one risk factor for paving the way towards developing an eating disorder, however this does not mean that everyone who goes on a diet will have an eating disorder. We know that the diet-mentality does not work long-term and this must be replaced with a more informed nutritional balanced lifestyle instead. Any form of food restriction weight loss program does not work in the long term. Weight gain results because the body reacts to the food restriction in a self-preserving manner as a result of thousands of years of evolution. Our bodies are primed to store food each time we restrict for survival. It does so by slowing the metabolism down. And once you eat again the physiological response will be that of weight gain. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, 35% of ‘normal dieters’ progress to develop pathological dieting and between 20 to 25% of those develop an eating disorder.

What can we do to stop this?

☐ Be informed and learn about the facts.

☐ Food is fuel for our body to function and for us to be able to think and perform well.

☐ Be aware of Body Shaming and Weight Stigma.

☐ Stop commenting on your or others physical appearance.

☐ Every ‘Body’ is different.

☐ Wishing to lose weight is not the problem, as long as the reason is rational and the method optimal. Being guided with the right person is key. 

☐ Diets, especially those involved with calorie counting &/or strict restriction of food groups are potentially dangerous, unless one has a very particular medical condition and is carefully monitored by a medical doctor.

☐ Encourage communication. Express our feelings instead of suppressing them with food.

☐ Learn improved ways to manage stress and explore mindfulness practices.

If you would like more information you can visit the YouTube Channel of the Middle East Eating Disorders Association: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqd4t1eNysvZcaSC3ZVSTcQ who offer free guided short presentations for parents, teachers and healthcare professionals, including a Mind & Body presentation appropriate for 10 to 18 year old.

If you or someone you know are struggling, you can reach out and speak with a qualified specialist. Please note that not all counselors, psychologists, nutritionists or doctors are trained eating disorders specialists.

You can contact us for more information: admin@alfordjeremy.com