Dieing to be thin

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Dieing to be thin
A Presentation by Courtney A. Caram October 12,
2004 Warning Some pictures may be Considered
graphic. Viewer discretion is advised
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Some Quick Facts...
? At any given time 25 of American men and 45
of American Women are on a diet ? Children have
been reported as dieting as early as the 1st
grade ?5-10 million women and 1 million men
suffer annually with an eating disorder ? The
relapse rate for the first year of anorexia
nervosa is 41 ? Anorexia Nervosa has the poorest
recovery rate of any eating disorder
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What is Anorexia Nervosa?
?An eating disorder characterized by refusal to
maintain a minimally normal weight for height and
age. ?The condition includes weight loss leading
to maintenance of body weight 15 percent below
normal ?An intense fear of weight gain or
becoming fat, despite the individual's
underweight status ?A disturbance in the
self-awareness of one's own body weight or
shape. ?In females, the absence of at least three
consecutive menstrual cycles that would otherwise
be expected to occur.
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Who Typically Develops Anorexia?

• Females entering puberty who are uncomfortable
  with weight fluctuation and changes in their
  bodies
• Good students with stable families. (In contrast
  to bulimia who usually affects poor students with
  an unstable family life)
• Men and women (Yes, men too) who feel that they
  do not have control over many aspects over their
  lives so they take complete control over caloric
  intake to a point of obsession
• Homosexual males more then heterosexual males,
  however no males are not exempt from this disease

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Signs and Symptoms

• ? Avoidances of eating
• - denies feeling hungry
• - avoids social events where food will be served
• - eats unnaturally small amounts of food
• ? Dramatic weight loss
• - refusal to maintain a healthy weight loss for
  height and age
• - denies serious consequences of low body weight
• ? Has an obsession with dieting
• -weighs self several times a day and focuses on
  the smallest fluctuation in weight
• -terrified of gaining weight or being fat
• -even when thin, sees self as overweight
• -bases self-worth on body weight and body image
• ? Excessive Exercise
• - exercises to the point of exhaustion on a
  daily basis or more then once a day

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How This Disease Affects Your Body

• Loss of menstrual periods
• Dry, brittle bones due to significant bone
  density loss (osteoporosis)
• Dry, brittle nails and hair or hair loss
• Lowered resistance to illness
• Hypersensitivity to heat and cold
• Bruises easily
• Appears to need less sleep than normal eaters
• Digestive problems such as bloating or
  constipation
• Muscle loss and weakness
• Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney
  failure
• Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness
• Eventual growth of a downy layer of hair (lanugo)
  all over the body, including the face (the body
  is trying to stay warm)
• In severe cases heart trouble, low blood
  pressure, low heart rate, low body temperature,
  poor circulation, anemia, stunted growth, and
  even death

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How This Disease Affects Your Mind
? Difficulty in concentrating on anything else
except weight ? Isolation from family and
friends ?Emotional regression to a child-like
state ?Irritability ?Feelings of guilt and
depression ?Dependence upon alcohol or drugs to
handle the negative outlook
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Social causes ?The cultural or social environment
may cause or reinforce a propensity toward
anorexia. Particular professions (fashion model,
horse jockey) and sports (ballet, gymnastics)
emphasize thinness and low body weight. Female
athletes are particularly prone to being
anorexic. ?Coaches may encourage them to lose
weight, and they may notice improved performance
with some weight loss. Families that are
overprotective or emphasize overachievement or
physical fitness often produce anorexic family
members. Psychological and emotional causes ?Some
personality traits are associated with anorexia
perfectionism, obsessiveness, approval-seeking,
low self-esteem, withdrawal, irritability, and
black-or-white (all-or-nothing) thinking. ?Major
life events may trigger anorexia life
transitions, emotional upsets, or sexual or
physical abuse. ?Mental health experts think that
the feelings of being overwhelmed and powerless
in adolescence can bring about a desire to
maintain control in some realm of life, such as
control of body weight.
What Causes Anorexia?
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Beating This...
Treatment Suggestions ?Hospitalization to
prevent death, suicide, and medical crisis.
?Weight restoration to improve health, mood, and
cognitive functioning. Note An anorexic's fear
of weight gain, especially forced weight gain in
hospital, is a huge obstacle to treatment and
recovery. Nevertheless, it is clear that the
closer to normal weight is at the end of
treatment, the better the chances of complete
recovery. In study after study, low body weight
is strongly correlated with treatment failure and
relapse. ?Medication to relieve depression and
anxiety ?Dental work to repair damage and
minimize future problems ?Individual counseling
to develop healthy ways of taking control of
one's life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
has proved effective in treating bulimia and
binge eating disorder. The counseling of choice
for anorexia is determined by individual and
family circumstances. ?Group counseling to learn
how to manage relationships effectively
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Be Your Own Hero
?When you start to get overwhelmed by "feeling
fat," instead of dwelling on your appearance, ask
yourself how your life would be better if you
were thinner. What would you have then that you
don't have now? Friends? Self-confidence? Love?
Control? The admiration of others? Their
acceptance? Success and status? ?Instead of
dieting, design a meal plan that gives your body
all the nutrition it needs for normal growth and
health. If you want to work towards a healthy
weight, then limit (but don't eliminate) your
intake of fatty and sugary foods and refined
carbohydrates. Eat lots of whole grains, fruits,
vegetables, and enough dairy and protein foods to
maintain strong bones and healthy muscles and
organs. Also get 30 to 60 minutes of exercise or
physical activity three to five days a week.
Unless you are working under the supervision of a
coach or trainer, anything more rigorous is
excessive.
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References
http//www.anred.com http//www.familydoctor.org/
063.xml http//www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-et01
.html www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/anorexi
anervosa.htm http//www.hosppract.com