Eating Disorders Help Guide

Sports Anxiety Connected to Eating Disorders

A recent study conducted at the University of Denver found that women who have sports anxiety are more likely to experience eating disorder symptoms than women who do not have the anxiety, or aren't involved in competitive sports.

"The study of 274 female college undergraduates examined whether differences in eating disorder symptoms exist between women depending on the level of their athletic-exercise activities. The participants also completed questionnaires about attitudes and behaviors related to eating disorders, self esteem and sports anxiety."

Though many eating disorder experts agree that exercise can boost a woman's self-esteem, competitive sports can cause fear and worry about performance, thus driving women to overcompensate for their anxiety through eating disorders and other unhealthy behaviors.

Read more: Compulsive Exercisers and the
Female Athlete Triad

Labels: anxiety, body_image, sports

Eating Disorders Growing Among Males

It's always been viewed as primarily a female problem: an obsession with weight and appearance that leads to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. But an increasing number of men are fighting similar battles.

"[Sam] Lample said in males, there is more of a focus on size than weight. He said some males will obsess over becoming muscular or 'ripped' like Hollywood A-List men... Men are starting to experience the same type of media-related pressure for appearance and body shape as women have for some time..."

Because the disorders in men often don't involve weight loss, they can be deceptive. Symptoms in men look different, and are typically expressed through excessive exercising and use of potentially-harmful substances - such as steroids - to increase muscle mass. Source: ABC Channel 15 (Phoenix, AZ)

Read more: Eating Disorders and Mental Illness and Eating Disorders in Boys and Men

Labels: body_image, men, muscles

Experts Offer Advice on Improving Body Image

Today's ultra-thin body ideal, created and encouraged by the media and fashion industry, can cause even the healthiest girls to dislike their bodies. In a special article on the WebMD website, freelance health writer Heather Hatfield interviewed several body image experts who offered practical tips for feeling good about your body.

"...the problem with the cultural norm in America is that human beings aren't meant to be one size or one shape. 'The research on body diversity is conclusive: Even if we all ate the same optimal, wholesome diet and exercised to the same high degree of physical fitness, we would still be very diverse in our shapes,' says [Kathy] Kater [a psychotherapist in St. Paul, Minn.]..."

The panel of experts suggested that people who struggle with their body image need to find a peer group that's encouraging. If you hang out with people who continually complain about their (or worse yet, your) body, find some people with healthier mindsets. Source: WebMD

Labels: body_image, influences, positive_messages

Ways to Like Your Body Better

Body image is a difficult issue for a lot of people , but Drs. Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz believe they've found a way to improve poor self-images. Look in the mirror, they advise - but instead of saying or thinking something negative, focus on a physical feature that you like.

"It's not just wishful thinking: Changing the words can actually change the negative feeling behind them. In fact, just three sessions of this 'mirror exposure therapy' worked better than professional counseling in improving a group of women's self-esteem, body image concerns and even depression."

Another tactic that works well is weightlifting. Women who completed a 12-week weightlifting program reported feeling more confident about and satisfied with their bodies, regardless of whether they lost weight as a result of the sessions. Source: Seattle Post-Intellingencer

Labels: body_image, feelings, positive_messages

The Ugly Side of 'America the Beautiful'

Filmmaker Darryl Roberts' latest documentary was inspired by a news story about a young man whose obsession with a model led to murder. After reading the story - which detailed the man's decision to kill the young woman after she rebuffed his request for a date - Roberts began thinking about the value our society places on beauty, and eventually set out across country to see what he could discover.

"He talked to experts, ordinary people, fashion industry workers, magazine editors and style program producers.... 'And the first thing I did was I interviewed 200 women,' Roberts said. 'I asked all of them a set of questions and one of the questions was, "Do you feel attractive?".... and only two said yes.'"

At the root of all bad feelings and poor body images, Roberts said, is a multi-billion dollar industry that makes money by making people feel unhappy about their physical appearance. "America the Beautiful," Roberts' documentary about his travels, is scheduled to be released in theatres across the United States this autumn. Source: Minnesota Public Radio

Labels: body_image, media_influences, modeling

Purging Habits Mark Eating Disorder Severity

The results of a new study suggest that a person who uses a variety of purging methods may have a more severe eating disorder than one who purges just as often but uses the same method every time. The study involved 76 women with purging disorder and 35 women who did not engage in the practice.

"The individuals who used multiple purging methods exhibited greater body image disturbance, were more restrained in eating, and were more concerned about eating, the researchers found."

Researchers also found that women who purged more frequently, but used the same method, were more prone to depression, anxiety and personality disorders. The findings could help doctors better understand the severity of an eating disorder, which would allow them to adapt treatment accordingly. Source: Reuters

Labels: body_image, purging, severity

Teens Who Think They're Too Fat Suffer More than Teens Who are Actually Obese

Teens of normal weight who think they are too fat are less happy than are obese teens who think their weight is normal, according to a study of 7,000 German teenagers.

The researchers believe that anti-obesity campaigns may actually be harming normal weight teens by making them feel insecure and unhappy about their bodies, thus causing them to develop eating disorders.

About 55 percent of the girls and 36 percent of boys who were surveyed believed they were too fat, although only 18 percent were actually overweight. The teens of normal weight who thought they were too fat suffered from low self-esteem and an "enormously impaired quality of life," the study's authors wrote.

Among teens who were obese, 60.6 percent of girls and 32.2 percent of boys said they were "far too fat." Obese girls had the most health issues, such as elevations in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. The girls also had more self-esteem issues than the boys did, although obese boys had the fewest number of friends compared to all groups.

The teens in the study who actually were obese reported a higher quality of life than did those who mistakenly saw themselves as fat.

This study appeared in the June 6, 2008, edition of Deutsches Aerzteblatt International.

Labels: body_image, self-esteem, self-image_issues

Nearly 1 in 5 Teenagers Admit Eating Problems

Research published in the latest Journal of Advanced Nursing found that 18 percent of teenagers admit to having an eating problem. The findings were the results of two health surveys completed a year apart by the same group of teenagers.

"...we noticed that students who reported suffering from anxiety earlier in adolescence were 20 times more likely to have ongoing eating problems,' says Lea Hautala of the Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic at the University of Turku, Finland."

The survey also found that students who were dissatisfied with their appearance developed recurring eating disorders only if they also struggled with anxiety. Source: Huliq

Labels: anxiety, body_image, eating_problems

Younger People Developing Eating Disorders

The British Department of Health reported yesterday that an increasing number of young people are being hospitalized for eating disorders.

"Research by the Children's Society said children are becoming fixated on their appearance, with seven out of 10 reporting they dieted because of the intense pressure to be thin, the British newspaper [The Daily Telegraph] said."

Over the past four years, nearly 400 young people under the age of the 10 have been admitted to hospitals due to eating disorders. Source: Daily India.

Labels: body_image, pressures, young_girls

What Parents Should Know About Body Image

Transitioning from early childhood to adolescence is tough for boys and girls. The dramatic physical changes teens undergo can affect their body image and self-esteem.

"During puberty adolescents gain weight, the proportions of their bodies shift, muscle mass is gained and secondary sex characteristics, like body hair, emerge. Often this shift in physicality translates to disappointment as the boy who was once comparable in height with his peers, now feels tall and gangly and the girl whose body has matured quickly thinks she is fat and bloated."

Parents need to be aware of this potential shift in body image, especially since media and advertising are so saturated with physical images that are unrealistic and unobtainable. Keep the lines of communication open with your child. Help him process his emotional reaction to his physical changes. Reinforce her value as a person, independent of her size or shape. Source: BellaOnline

Labels: body_image, parents, puberty

Survey Draws Mixed Reaction

Australian men's magazine FHM recently conducted an online survey asking men to pick their "preferred" body type from models who were sizes eight, twelve and fourteen. Overwhelmingly, men chose the size 12 and 14 models, which some think is good news for women and young girls who struggle with body image issues.

"But Julie Thomson, general manager of eating disorders and body image campaigners The Butterfly Foundation, said such surveys were far more damaging to women than they were helpful."

While Thomson believes such surveys objectify women, body image expert Marika Tiggemann believes the findings show that most women have distorted views of how thin they have to be in order to be attractive. Source: SMH.com.

Worried that your pre-teen daughter is dealing with mixed feelings about growing up? Today, young girls face challenges that can cause them to spin out of control. If your tween isn't handling the pressures of growing up as well as she could, check out New Leaf Academy. Their all girls junior boarding schools offer safe, structured environments for pre-teens.

Labels: body_image, body_type, media_influences

Teen Boys Take Up Athletica Nervosa to Achieve Ideal Body

Adolescent boys who read certain magazines are more likely to develop athletica nervosa, a newly recognized medical condition. Sufferers exercise to excess in order to achieve a perfectly muscular body.

Researchers at Great Britain's Winchester University studied young men ages 18 to 36 and found that the more men's magazines they read, the more likely they were to suffer from athletica nervosa. A study from the University of Illinois found that computer gaming magazines influenced boys as young as 8 years old to get into bodybuilding. Another study from the University of Florida revealed that boys' perceptions of the ideal male body has changed toward an extreme muscular ideal over the past 10 years.

"Adolescent males are increasingly experiencing body dissatisfaction, engaging in disordered eating and using anabolic steroids and untested dietary supplements to control their weight and gain muscle," said Dr. Magdala Labre, who conducted the Florida study. "These behaviors have serious long-term health consequences."

Labels: body_image, complusive_exercise, ideals

Artwork Confronts Body Image Issues

Joy Christiansen Erb is a photographer and installation artist whose latest project is now on display at the University of Rochester's (New York) Hartnett Gallery. Titled "Family Gathering: A Look into the World of Eating Disorders," the exhibit is intended to confront poor body image and related issues.

"The work examines the issues through the creation of 'a typical upper-middle class living room in the United States' within the gallery space. The installation will include, among other things, a Victorian sofa, an antique bookshelf and a wingback chair. Each piece of furniture has been adorned with photographic imagery and embroidered text culled from personal interviews between the artist, sufferers of eating disorders and their family members and friends."

The exhibit is open now and will remain open to the public through April 4, 2008. Read more at TheNewsStar.com.

Labels: acceptance, body_image, self-image_issues

How to Feel Happy, Healthy and Sex

Poor body image is one of the leading contributors to the development of eating disorders. Most medical and mental health experts agree that if a girl can develop a healthy, positive body image, she's far less likely to struggle with disordered eating.

"Try these easy tips so you can start feeling more self-assured today. 1. Lose your obsession with the numbers. Keep track of improvement beyond losing weight, advises Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., professor of sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle. Says Schwartz: 'Zero in on how strong you feel. It will help you gain an appreciation for what your body can do.'"

Other tips include "spend time outdoors" and "help others in need". These simple steps can help someone start feeling better and develop a more health sense of self. Read more at Shape.com.

Labels: body_image, positive_messages, self-esteem

Chasing Perfection

In a recent survey of 29,000 young women, 35 percent of them admitted that body image in their biggest concern. They worry more about body image than they do about family conflict, alcohol problems or even the environment.

"But what are the sacrifices that young women are making to attain the unobtainable, and what dangers lie in their obsession with body image?... 'Young women do compare themselves to images they see in the media - but only 1 percent of people could actually look like that,' [Queensland University of Technology psychologist Dr. Evonne] Miller says."

Some experts believe the eating disorder and obesity epidemics are closely tied together. When the body is deprived of nutrition, it begins storing more and more food at fat. When a person then begins to eat more "normally" the body is still storing an increased amount of fat and excessive weight gain is more likely. Read more at News.com.au.

Today's teens deal with so many pressures. Therapeutic boarding schools can help teenagers who feel overwhelmed and find themselves unable to deal with things in positive ways.

Labels: body_image, media_influences, pressures

Teaching Healthy Body Image

Teens today are inundated with messages about the "right" kinds of clothes they should wear and the "right" kinds of bodies they should have when wearing them. These messages, combined with other factors, begin damaging a child's body image at an early age. A teaching curriculum titled Healthy Body Image has been developed to help counteract some of these negative influences.

"As before, carefully planned, engaging, age appropriate, cross-curricular lessons based on widely recognized prevention principles teach students to develop an identity based on inner strengths, not on appearance, understand normal weight gain during puberty, think critically about media messages..."

The curriculum is recommended by the U.S. Department of Health. The table of contents can be reviewed, and the curriculum purchased online.

ByParents-forParents offers help for parents of troubled teens.

Labels: body_image, influences, positive_messages

"Rate My Looks" Websites Bad for Girls' Self-Esteem

Websites that ask users to rate the attractiveness of pictures of participants may contribute to girls obsessing about their appearance, according to a study of adolescent females in Great Britain.

This summer the Schools Health Education Unit, a British research service associated with the University of Exeter, found that the biggest concern of girls ages 12 to 15 years old was their appearance. Half believe they needed to reduce their weight.

Researchers pointed to pressure from websites such as Myspace, Facebook, Assess My Breasts, and others that encourage girls to post pictures of themselves for strangers to rate on "attractiveness scales" of one to ten.

"There's so much pressure on young girls that many aspire to an ideal that is impossible for most of us to attain," said Dr. Natasha Bijlani. "They want to be famous, and some are so preoccupied by their looks that they miss out on academic opportunities, normal relationships, and veer dangerously towards eating disorders. When girls go online asking others to rate their looks and seek approval from people they have never met, the root cause is low self-esteem."

Labels: body_image, pressures, self-esteem

Female Adolescent Transitions

The transition into adolescence is difficult for most girls. As their hormones change and bodies begin to develop, they become more aware of how they look - not only to themselves, but to other people.

"The National Institute on Media and the Family estimates that 53 percent of 13-year-olds are unhappy with their body image. Research shows girls with negative self-esteem are more likely to be depressed or anxious and practice unhealthy behaviors, like smoking, poor eating habits, dieting and/or eating disorders."

Nutritionist Stacey Antine, R.D., teaches a class for 8th graders called the Natural Beauty Workshop. The purpose is to show girls the benefits of healthy eating. The class also provides the girls an opportunity to discuss ways that the media influences their ideas of beauty and health. Read more at WSOCTV.com.

New Leaf Academy offers junior boarding schools for middle school girls who are having a hard time transitioning to adolescence.

Labels: body_image, hormones, puberty

Pro-Anorexia Sites Don't Help

Some girls who struggle with eating disorders think that pro-anorexic sites help them feel better about their disorder and their obsession with weight and appearance. But investigators from the University of Missouri in Columbia have discovered that the opposite is true.

"After looking at the anorexia-promoting Web site, young women had worse moods, worse social self-esteem, and a worse sense of their ability to cope with their appearance than those who viewed one of the other two websites [on fashion and home décor]. They also thought of themselves as heavier and said they were more likely to exercise and think about their weight in the near future."

In light of these results, the study's authors suggest that parents closely monitor the websites their children view, consider blocking pro-anorexia websites and keeping a "family" computer in an open area of the house.

Struggling girls boarding schools, like Copper Canyon Academy in Arizona, offer a combination of therapy and academics to help teenage girls get back on track.

Labels: body_image, pro-ana, self-esteem

Appearance-Based Rejection

People who fear appearance-based rejection are more likely to engage in disordered eating and exercise habits. Dr. Lora Park, a psychologist at the University of Buffalo - New York, developed the Appearance-Based Rejection Scale (ARS) to measure the level of anxiety people fear when they expect to be rejected based on their looks.

"She tested the scale on 242 college students, and found that people with high ARS scores were likely to base their self-worth on outward appearance and to rate themselves as physically unattractive...'Both men and women who reported being more sensitive to appearance-based rejection were preoccupied with their body and weight in unhealthy ways,' Park said..."

Park also found that close ties to friends and family, and self-affirming thoughts, seemed to act as "buffers" against the fear of appearance-based rejection.

Middle school girls who find themselves lost and unable to make good decisions can learn how to handle their emotions and actions at junior boarding schools like New Leaf Academy.

Labels: apperances, body_image, rejection

Wannarexia

Though it's not officially considered an eating disorder, a new type of obsession with anorexia is becoming increasingly popular. It's been labeled "wannarexia" and refers to girls who want to have an eating disorder because they believe it will make them popular.

"While some experts say these girls likely have body image issues or could develop a more serious eating disorder, wannarexics usually range between healthy and overweight. They are often rejected by those with eating disorders for minimizing a serious illness."

The danger is that the desire to have an eating disorder can easily trigger disordered eating habits, which could lead to diagnosable anorexia - and all the issues that come with it. Because wannarexia is not an actual diagnosis it can be difficult to determine if someone truly has an eating disorder, or is just pretending. One primary difference is that wannarexics will derive some pleasure from losing weight, while an anorexic is never satisfied, no matter how much weight he or she loses. Read more at KARE11.com.

Unfortunately, some teens believe that using drugs will also make them more popular. Learn about the dangers of drugs and teens and how to help your child at Teen-Help-Directory.com.

Labels: body_image, influences, self-esteem

Redbook Enters the Fray

Women's magazine Redbook can be added to the ever-growing list of women's magazines that have been 'caught' re-touching celebrity photographs. The original, untouched photo of country singer Faith Hill appeared on the web site Jezebel.com, alongside the re-touched version that was used for Redbook's cover. It has reignited heated discussions and outcries about the unrealistic images portrayed in women's magazines.

"...experts say the Hill photo has struck a particular chord because the singer is already a beautiful, thin woman - calling into question the beauty industry's idea of 'perfection.' 'Do you know anyone who is female who wouldn't want to look like the real Faith Hill?' asks Michael Levine, professor of psychology at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. 'And yet looking like Faith Hill isn't enough for the [beauty] business.'"

Boston family therapist Carleton Kendrick says the biggest problem with these deceptive photos is the toll it takes on women and young girls, affecting their self-esteem and body image. Redbook explains away its actions by stating that a magazine cover is a 'beautiful image' much like an album cover or movie poster and that it's not supposed to be a real or accurate picture. But critics feel the statement is simply an excuse for continuing with business as usual. Read more online.

Adolescent substance abuse can often hide other, deeper emotional problems. Learn how to help your child at the Teen-Help-Directory.com.

Labels: body_image, media_influences, self-esteem

Man in the Mirror Also Feels Insecure

When people talk about eating disorders, they most often talk about women and young girls. But people are beginning to recognize that many young men also struggle with eating and body image issues.

"[Francesca] Maresca said women focus on having smaller frames, but there is a reverse body dysmorphia for men. The difference between men and women with negative body-image issues, Maresca said, is that 'men believe they're not muscular enough, they want to bulk up and get bigger.'"

Psychiatrist Dr. Steven Dyckman said he's seen an increase in the number of male patients who have eating disorders and body image issues. He believes the pressure for men to look a certain way is becoming equal to the pressure women face. Read more at THNT.com.

Equine Therapy is a form of treatment that works when traditional talk therapy fails. Aspen Ranch offers one of the best equine therapy programs for troubled teens.

Labels: body_image, boys, manorexia

Selling a Positive Self-Image

The San Francisco non-profit organization About-Face is determined to undo some of the damage that's being done by the ever-present images of ultra-thin, tan, blonde girls in the media and advertising campaigns.

"'We give them the tools they need in order to understand what they're seeing so that in a way they can start to inoculate themselves against any negative images that the media perpetuates,' says About-Face Executive Director Jennifer Berger, 'and there are plenty.'"

Rather than sitting around and talking about problems of self-image and eating disorders and the media's affects, the people at About-Face decided it was time to start doing something. This About-Face.org is creating two action-based groups that will create their own campaigns to speak out against negative messages in the media. Read more at SFGate.com.

Having a poor self-image can result in more than just an eating disorder. Kids with emotional and behavioral issues can benefit from Animal Assisted Therapy like Equine Therapy. Working with horses helps young people build their confidence and self-esteem. Learn more from Animal-AssistedTherapy.com.

Labels: body_image, media_influences, self-esteem

Declare a Different Kind of Independence

The Fourth of July holiday usually means barbeques with friends and family, parades, fireworks, and lots of food. Anytime food and people mix, comments like "I'm going to have to work out extra hard after all this food" are almost inevitable. But rather than give in to those kinds of thoughts about food and body size, choose to make this 4th of July a new kind of Independence Day.

"I reflected on Independence Day, and what personal freedom really means in regards to modern day society and weight. To me, that's fostering a healthy body image by accepting myself and my food choices. This holiday, declare independence from stereotypes and celebrate by freeing your spirit!"

Make a conscious decision not to comment about other people or yourself based on body size or shape. Enjoy your favorite meal without feeling guilty. And if you get especially caught up in the moment, throw or put away your bathroom scale! Read more at AWeightLifted.Blogs.com.

Labels: body_image, guilt, holidays

Waging War on the Body Ideal

A study conducted recently in the UK determined that watching just 10 minutes of music videos with "scantily clad women" was enough to cause young women to feel dissatisfied with their own bodies. In the media, there's certainly no shortage of "ideal" bodies - both male and female, and since teens spend large portions of their time listening to music and watching videos, they're constantly inundated with these images. We could continue to fight against the media, but maybe there's a better approach.

"To date, despite significant efforts, we have not had demonstrable success in raising self-esteem, part of which is physical self-awareness. A more promising approach with demonstrable positive results is the teaching of coping skills - how to deal with the environment we find ourselves in, how to reduce self-blame when we do not match up with images thrust upon us, and how to be judicious in determining what is good and how that can be achieved."

Teens whose families are close and have open lines of communication, often handle on the media's portrayal of "the perfect body" better. Often, they also have a healthier self-image, and a better understanding and appreciation for who they are as individuals. Read more at TheAge.com.au.

Labels: body_image, media_influences, self-image_issues

High Number of Deaths from Eating Disorders

An estimated 165,000 people in the U.K. have eating disorders. Of those, an estimated 10% die as a result of their illness, but some experts believe that percentage could be even higher.

"The emphasis on super-thin models has been blamed for the increase in eating disorders. Experts say that these can have an effect on how people perceive themselves, but the causes of eating disorders are usually more complex and are linked to general feelings of self-worth."

An estimated 5% of the girls in the U.K. are believed to have anorexia. Bulimia is thought to be three times more common. Read more online.

Outdoor therapy can help teens who don't respond to traditional therapy. Learn more about outdoor wilderness therapy at WildernessProgramsInfo.com.

Labels: body_image, death, self-esteem

High Self Esteem in Teens Linked to Satisfaction with Body

Teens who like their bodies also like themselves, according to a new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"For many teenagers, how they feel about their bodies and how they feel about themselves are nearly identical," Dr. Eliana Perrin, author of the study, said in her presentation at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting May 5.

Dr. Perrin surveyed 1000 students in seventh and eighth grade about issues like self-esteem, depression, self-perceived attractiveness, athleticism, media exposure, ethnic identification, and desire to lose weight. The only exception to the rule of "high body satisfaction is linked to high self-esteem" occurred among African-American boys, who seemed to be able to separate the two factors.

Teens with low self-esteem often lash out at family and authority figures in frustration with themselves. Learn more about troubled teens and find help for parents of troubled teens at ByParents-forParents.com.

Labels: body_image, depression, self-esteem

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