Your Health
By Lacey Von Lanken
Health Educator
In conjunction with this week’s Love Your Body Week I wanted to touch upon eating disorders: the two most common types, how they affect the body and where to go for support.
People with eating disorders spend a lot of time thinking about eating, food, weight and body image – they may count and recount the calories in their meals, weigh themselves many times a day and place themselves on severely restricted diets. They often “feel fat” when their weight is normal or abnormally low, or feel uncomfortable after consuming a normal-sized or small meal. Generally, they categorize foods as “good” or “bad” and make judgments about themselves based on how well they control what they eat. Believing that others are judging, they frequently feel anxious eating when people are around.
The two most common types of eating disorders found in both men and women include anorexia nervosa (self-starvation) and bulimia (binging and purging).
Anorexics are often thin to the point of emaciation, but are afraid to gain weight. They may have symptoms caused by severe weight loss: dry skin and hair, cold hands and feet, general weakness, digestive problems, insomnia and loss of menstrual periods. As the weight loss progresses, more severe problems may develop such as increased susceptibility to infections, stress fractures, sever chemical imbalances and weakness of the heart muscle that can lead to death.
Bulimics may be of average or slightly above average weight, usually do most of their binging and purging secretly, and have rapid weight gains and losses. They purge through self-induced vomiting, abusing laxatives and diuretics, fasting, or over-exercising and are subject to medical problems. Medical problems include dehydration, constipation and digestive disorders, severe dental problems, and muscle weakness. As bulimia progresses, ulcers and life-threatening heart irregularities may develop.
If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, there is help right here on campus. The Student Counseling Center at ext. 4210 offers the following:
• Confidential counseling programs to help you deal with the pressures of university life.
• Individual and group counseling is available for concerns and disorders.
• Nutrition counseling is also available. Meet with a registered dietician as part of an overall treatment plan to establish and monitor a safe diet plan.
The Student Health Center at ext. 4316 provides medical evaluation and treatment.
If you suspect a friend has an eating disorder there are four things that you can do to help.
• Discuss your concerns with a professional. Learn about eating disorders and available local resources.
• Talk to your friend. Keep the discussion informal and confidential, and focus your concerns about your friend’s health, not weight or appearance.
• Realize that you might be rejected. People with eating disorders often deny their problem because they are afraid to admit they are out of control.
• Know your limits. If you sense that you are getting angry or impatient, back off. And don’t take the role of counselor or food monitor — it’s inappropriate and ineffectual.
Most importantly, remember that if you are suffering from an eating disorder or you know someone who is, you are not alone. We are here to help you.
February 26, 2004