Exercise is considered healthy, so people who are addicted to exercise often go unnoticed and don't get the help they need.

"Exercise addicts can come in all shapes and sizes, and unfortunately there is not a one-size fits all description. Here are some characteristics of exercise addicts: They are often unhappy with their body; they work out seven days a week, often for hours at a time; they will continue even if in extreme pain."

Exercise Addiction isn't typically linked with eating disorders, but it isn't unusual for someone who struggles with anorexia or bulimia to exercise excessively as another means of weight control. Read more at KRCG.com.

Labels: addiction, exercise, treatment

Though it's not officially recognized as an eating disorder, orthorexia involves the same obsession thinking and behavior patterns as other eating disorders. Orthorexia is an obsession with "healthy or righteous eating" and often involves highly restrictive eating habits in the name of "eating healthy".

"As with anorexia, many people with orthorexia can become pathologically fixated with food, although in this case, it is with eating 'proper food'. The insidious part is that it is all done in the guise of health…As it is with some of the officially recognized eating disorders, this type of approach to nutrition begins to take over, and you find yourself spending inordinate amounts of your mental energy, time and, in many cases, resources to meet the needs and expectations of the approach."

One of the dangers of orthorexia is that a person's diet can become so restricted that, in the name of "being healthy", the restricted diet becomes unhealthy and potentially dangerous. Read more at StateNews.com.

Labels: causes of eating disorders, mental_health, orthorexia

The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health is launching a four-year study on early intervention treatments for adolescents with eating disorders. The study will begin accepting patients on May 1st.

"The study... will examine two early intervention treatment approaches in 240 young people, ages 12 to 18, who've been diagnosed with anorexia. The children's parents will play an important role in the study."

Recent research has found that some people may be genetically pre-disposed to eating disorders, making early intervention extremely important. Intervention programs that involve family members often prove to be the most successful, which is why they're the focus of this particular study. Read more online.

Labels: anorexia, intervention, mental_health

This coming weekend, two separate groups at Central Michigan University will host events aimed at raising both money and awareness for eating disorders.

"The Delta Phi Epsilon sorority is sponsoring a candlelight vigil, and the women's track team is hosting a Walk-a-Thon to raise money for [National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders] ANAD."

The goal of ANAD is to "alleviate the problems of eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa." Both of the events on the Central Michigan University campus are open to the public. Read more at CM-Life.com.

Labels: awareness, students

Many parents worry about the health of their children. Eating disorders and negative body images are becoming more common. There are steps that parents and other family members can take to help children build healthy self-esteem.

"Teach children that their self-worth is not related to how they look. Emphasize their talents and qualities. Don't focus on their physical appearance. Give children healthy choices, and teach them to make informed decisions about what they eat. Involve them in planning meals, shopping and cooking."

Though the steps may seem simple, they can be very effective in building a foundation for healthy eating and healthy self-image. Read more at NEDIC.ca.

Labels: body image, healthy eating, self-esteem

Teens who struggle with eating disorders need the help and support of their parents. But they need help and support from their friends as well. It can be difficult, however, to know how to be supportive.

"If you think your friend has an eating disorder, try to help first by expressing concern. Talk about her health and happiness rather than her eating behaviors. Be patient and supportive, as a lot of praise is needed and talents pointed out."

It's also important not to nag your friend about her eating habits, or dwell in conversations that focus on her body image or weight. Read more at C-N.com.

Labels: communication, friends, support

A group of psychiatrists from the Institute of Psychiatry in London, U.K. found that teens who suffer from bulimia or unspecified eating disorders respond better to a cognitive-based therapy than family therapy.

"After six months, the researchers found a more significant reduction of bingeing in the guided self-care group than in the family therapy group, but observed no significant group differences after twelve months."

The 85 adolescents were randomly assigned either the cognitive-based self-guided care or the family therapy. Researchers believe the cognitive-based therapy would be used best as part of an early intervention/treatment program. Read more at MentalHelp.net.

Labels: bulimia, therapy, treatment

Christine Mercer-Vernon is a fine artist who has moved from painting flowers to painting people. Specifically, painting women. Mercer-Vernon started participating in an art therapy class with women and young girls who struggled with eating disorders. The experiences caused her to re-evaluate what she was painting and why.

"As she worked with the patients, her work started to change. It began to focus on body language and the human form – character instead of beauty. The York artist started painting portraits of women to show what people look like and how they feel."

One of her paintings, titled "Aware", depicts a curvy woman as though she's being looked at from behind. The painting was recently purchased by a woman who said she "got it" and that she herself feels that aware of her body when she knows someone is looking at her from behind. Read more at EveningSun.com.

Labels: body image, recovery, support

Doctors Daniel le Grange, PhD and James Lock, MD, PhD have released a book titled "Treating Bulimia in Adolescents" in which they include parents as a vital part of the recovery process. Often, clinical management of adolescent eating disorders includes separating the teen from his or her parents. Parents are often seen as part of the problem.

"We don't see parents as the culprit,' [Le Grange] added. 'We see them as a valuable resource in the treatment of these adolescents. Our goal is to empower parents to feed their kids. Feeding kids is something they do well."

Called "The Maudsley approach", the treatment program includes parental supervision of an adolescent's every meal. Parents ensure that the right kinds of food are eaten, and stay with the child for while after the meal to make sure the child doesn't purge. Read more at PsychCentral.com.

Labels: bulimia, teenagers, treatment

Nutritionist Ingrid Skoog has recently been hired by the Oregon State Athletic Department to begin working with the student-athletes. Her overall goal is to help them improve their athletic performance, but she will begin by addressing the issue of eating disorders.

"She hopes to advise incoming athletes and show them how to eat properly in the dorms, and then help those who move into apartments to shop for healthy food that can be made quickly."

Collegiate athletics has become so competitive that being "naturally talented" isn't enough anymore. Everyone is looking for an edge. Skoog hopes to help them find that edge in safe, healthy ways. Read more at GTConnect.com.

Labels: athletes, health care, nutrition

Since 2002, the number of teenagers with eating disorders as increased six-fold in Singapore. And, unfortunately, only 10 to 20 percent are actively seeking treatment.

Local psychologists feel that the alarming rise of teenage eating disorders is due to lack of confidence or control.

"Dr Evelyn Boon, Psychologist, Singapore General Hospital, said: 'One of the contributing factors could be that they feel bad about certain things. It could be what they can't control - their family, how they feel about themselves. So in order for them to feel better, they feel that they should control how they are looked at by other people. A lot of them have this misconception that being slim is popular. That's one of the more common things we've heard of. The other thing is if they're teased in school about being overweight, they go the other extreme.'"

Experts believe that Singapore girls have lower self-esteem and a higher level of insecurities about themselves than other Asian girls. Read more online.

Labels: girls, psychology, teenagers

Those who treat eating disorders are finding a new one called "orthorexia." Dr. Michael Bratman, who named the disorder, says it is a "fixation on righteous eating."

The typical anorexia nervosa patient starves herself to appear thin, but the orthorexic restricts her food for spiritual fulfillment. Orthorexics often develop such rigid rules about food choices that they end up starving themselves. Because they restrict themselves to only a few foods they believe are "pure" enough to eat, they usually cannot eat out or shop at ordinary grocery stores. Their quality of life decreases as their food obsessions increase.

Some studies have found a link between vegetarianism and eating disorders. In a 1997 Michigan study of 107 teenaged girls, vegetarians were found to vomit four times as often, use laxatives eight times more often, and diet twice as often as meat eaters. A July 2006 study in Israel found that 85% of anorexic patients were vegetarians.

Labels: dieting, orthorexia, vegetarians

Though many people develop eating disorders when they're young, many of them end up battling the disorders for the rest of their lives. Relapses are not uncommon, especially during times of emotional or mental stress. But there are things you can do to help prevent relapses either in your own life or the life of a loved one.

"Continue to find avenues of support for patients with eating disorders. For many, overcoming an eating disorder is a lifelong battle. Consistent support via therapy or support groups may be needed."

A relapse may not look like the original illness. Someone who was once diagnosed with anorexia may begin exhibiting signs of bulimia instead, or may begin binge eating. Find out more information at AnorexiaBulimiaHelp.com.

Labels: recovery, relapse_prevention, treatment

Almost 30 years ago, Aimee Liu suffered from anorexia. At the age of 25, considered cured, despite minimal treatment, she documented her struggle with teenage anorexia in Solitaire.

Six years ago, Liu again found herself battling the devastating eating disorder. So she wrote a new book, Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders, about the long road of recovery.

Liu says "that mid-life women are prone to eating disorders in the same way that adolescent girls are. Life changes and outside pressures can cause a loss of identity, and that struggle is often what triggers the disorder in many women." Read more online.

Labels: recovery, support, teenagers