The Vanishing Population

 

Did you know that 1.5% of Canadian women ages 15-24 years have an eating disorder? And, did you know that 25% of boys are being teased about their weight by their peers and 16% by their family members?

Gov't of Canada (2006). The human face of Mental Health and mental Illness in Canada 2006

Eisenberg, M.E & Neumark-Sztainer,D (2003) Associations of weight-based teasing and emotional well being among adolescents. Archives of pediatrics and adolescents medicine, 157 (6), 733-738

 

 

When I'm thinking about eating disorders, I remembered a customer that I had years ago!

Let me name her Anna Rexia (with respect). She came into the store wearing a long coat in the middle of the spring. She walking very slow and pacing herself. She slowly reached for her product and once again began her careful walk to the cash rap. She had a laxative tea in her hand! As Anna placed the tea on the counter, I noticed something that made my heart stop. Her hand was coloured blue and all thin with sores. Her face very defined bone structure and looked weak! So weak and eyes puffy!

I had to make a decision to ring the product through or not! I said to her with respect and only to help her, "No, I can't sell you this, our register is not working". She didn't say anything as she stared to process what I said. She didn't look at me! She slowly turned away and counted her steps out of the store. This experience has been with me for over 15 years.

 

When I see a client not eating enough or not balancing their calories properly with their training, I make sure I communicate with them and guide them through the importance in balancing calories with exercise so that the body balances; weight, the energy system, hormones, and over-all health.

 

The compounding problem, when reading some "self help" books or even some "Doctor Recommended" Programs that only suggest a diet to be under 900 calories throughout the day no matter what lifestyle one has. It is sad that some trainers, authors, coaches, and some claimed to be "Nutritionists" provide this information to the public. This can easily lead consumers in having an Eating disorder and eventually being classified as Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Anorexia Nervosa (AN) or a Binge Eat Disorder (BE).

 

Let's take a look at the different Eating Disorders.

 

Bulima comes from the Greek word Boulimia, ravenous meaning hunger. Bulima is when one eats a large meal in a short period of time and is followed by attempting to rid oneself of the food by vomiting, or by using of laxatives, diuretics or excessive exercise.

The out of control eating can upset the stomach followed by the self-induced vomiting that can cause symptoms such as; chronic gastric reflex, dehydration, constipation, enlarged glands in the neck and jaw line, ulcer, dental erosion, and electrolyte imbalance.

 

Anorexia (AN) is the refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight.

The constant hunger but denying oneself of eating even up to 800 calories per day is the daily life of an Anorexic.

 

There are many symptoms of (AN) here are some:

 

Fear of weight gain

Dramatic weight loss

Cuts food into very small pieces

Eats alone

Uses laxatives, water pills, self induced vomiting

Strenuous exercise

Cheeks and joints become swollen

Abdominal distension

Bad breath

Acne

Tooth loss

Amenorrhea (loss or delay of menstruation)

 

Some of the causes of AN 

Genetic

Serotonin imbalance

Hormonal imbalance of (leptin & ghrelin)

A zinc deficiency

 

Eating disorders are not a female issue. It is now becoming a problem in boys. More statistics are in the fashion industry. The fashion industry has long dictated that female models be tall and thin-like; however male models are now facing increased pressure to slim down and appear more androgynous, in order to book top fashion jobs.

Trebay, G (2008, Feb 7) the Vanishing Point. The New York Times Retrivet from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/fashion/shows/07diary.html/?pagewated=1