I learned that eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are complex mental illnesses that can seriously impact physical health and require treatment beyond just weight management. I was surprised to learn that eating disorders can affect people of any weight or gender.
2. People with anorexia have a real fear of
weight gain and a distorted view of their
body size and shape. Many teens with
anorexia restrict their food intake by
dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
They hardly eat at all — and the small
amount of food they do eat becomes
an obsession.
3. Bulimia is similar to anorexia. With
bulimia, someone might binge eat (eat
to excess) and then try to compensate in
extreme ways, such as forced vomiting
or excessive exercise, to prevent weight
gain. Over time, these steps can be
dangerous — both physically and
emotionally
4. MYTH
Although low body weight is a key indicator
in the diagnosis of anorexia, you should
never assume that because someone is
skinny they are clinically anorexic.
5. ANOREXIA NERVOSA IS A MENTAL ILLNESS
FACT
There are many psychological factors associated
with Anorexia.
It is a condition that often requires psychotherapy
as a part of treatment.
6. FACT
Binging and purging are words often used to
describe the massive consumption of large
quantitiesof food and then Vomiting immediately
after.
7. BOYS DO NOT SUFFER FROM EATING DISORDERS
MYTH
Although eating disorders are more common
in females, males also suffer from them.
8. PEOLE WITH ANOREXIA OFTEN CONTINUE TO
THINK THAT THEY ARE FAT
FACT
Anorexia is a psychiatric mental illness and even
At the lowest body weight, people often feel
That they are fat.
9. ALL PEOPLE WITH BULIMIA THROW UP WHAT THEY EAT
MYTH
Purging is one of the most popular ways that
bulimics rid themselves of food. However, some
people often use laxatives or excessive exercise
to rid themselves of the calories.
10. ALL PEOPLE WITH BULIMIA ARE EXTREMELY THIN
MYTH
Having bulimia means that someone goes through
extreme cyclesof binging and purging. While this
can oftenlead to extreme weight loss,
people can be bulimic and maintain a healthy
weight.
11. MANY PEOPLE KEEP THEIR EATING DISORDER
A PRIVATE MATTER.
FACT
People with anorexia or bulimia are often
ashamed of themselves. They try to hide their
problem and sometimes don’t even tell
close friends or family members.
12. SEVERE WEIGHT LOSS CAN CAUSE GIRLS TO LOSE
THEIR MENSTRUAL CYCLE.
FACT
It can cause the body to stop function normally.
It is very common thatgirls start to lose their
periods.
13. ATHLETES ARE AT A HIGH RISK OF DEVELOPING
EATING DISORDERS.
FACT
The pressure to be thin exists in many sports including
dancing, gymnastics,tracking, etc. The idea is the less
body weight, the better you will perform.
this can become an obsession for some athletes and
lead to eating disorders.
14. PEOPLE CANNOT DIE FROM BULIMIA
MYTH
It is a serious medical condition that can cause many
health problems and even death. Excessive purging
can be damaging to the heart and can cause the body
to be off balance. This can lead to heart attacks and
malnutrition.
15. WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE ACTIVITY?
DID ANYTHING SURPRISE YOU? IF SO, WHAT IS IT?
