Eating/Body Image
In our society‚ almost everyone worries at some time about weight‚ appearance‚ body image‚ and size. However‚ people with eating disorders develop an exaggerated form of such worries. These individual’s lives can revolve around their fear of fat and food‚ feeling out of control‚ and trying to keep their eating disorder a secret from friends and family.
College students are particularly at risk for developing eating disorders. Some studies suggest that one in four college–aged women have an eating disorder and the number of students with eating disordered behavior continues to rise.
Contributing Factors to Eating Disorders
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia‚ Bulimia‚ and Binge Eating Disorder
Getting Help for an Eating Disorder
Our Location
The reasons people develop eating disorders are numerous and complex. Frequently‚ there are individual factors such as low self–esteem‚ feelings of lack of control‚ and having perfectionistic tendencies. They are extremely critical of themselves and how they look. Food becomes a way of coping with these issues and the related feelings. For example‚ in response to feeling “not good enough” in general or in reaction to specific circumstances‚ people may binge‚ purge‚ or stop eating. These behaviors can serve to numb intense feelings‚ avoid difficult personal problems‚ or punish or reward oneself.
Family dynamics that tend to coincide with a member having an eating disorder include creating an image that is “perfect‚” having high expectations for the eating disordered individual‚ tending to avoid expressing feelings in direct or safe ways‚ or situations in which the individual feels a lack of control within the family. Denying oneself food can be a way to feel “in control” with the ability to accomplish set goals. Bingeing and purging serve as a release of anxiety‚ depression‚ and/or anger. In addition‚ women and men who come from families where dieting is the norm are at an increased risk for developing an eating disorder.
Overall‚ the transition from being a child to becoming an adult can feel overwhelming. Individuals with eating disorders often struggle with maturation of their bodies and the expectations of them as adults including relationship and sexuality concerns. An eating disorder may be a way to cling to a “child–like” body and expectations for oneself. Eating disorders may also develop or worsen as one tries to adjust to a new environment with new demands.
Biological and genetic factors may also play a role in the development of an eating disorder. It seems that the biochemical imbalances associated with depression may also affect one’s eating behaviors. Research indicates that there may be imbalances in certain brain chemicals‚ called neurotransmitters‚ in the parts of the brain that control appetite‚ mood‚ and sleeping patterns. These imbalances may shed light on why people with anorexia can refuse food despite their hunger or why those with bulimia lose control of their eating. Many people with eating disorders have found anti–depressant medications a helpful part of treatment.
Social and cultural factors also have a major impact on the development of an eating disorder. Our society continues to promote unrealistic images of what women and men should look like. The standards for beauty in this country are extremely difficult if not impossible to attain. Yet‚ there is a multi–billion dollar weight–loss industry that works steadily to convince us that we can and should attempt to meet these unrealistic body images.
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia‚ Bulimia‚ and Binge Eating Disorder
Anorexia
- significant weight loss
- intense fear of weight gain or fat
- feelings of self–worth determined by what is or is not eaten
- absence of menstruation
- restrictive diets‚ avoiding certain foods‚ using low–calorie drinks to avoid hunger
- feeling fat‚ regardless of weight
- preoccupation with food‚ calories‚ fat grams‚ nutrition‚ and/or cooking
- compulsive exercise‚ rigid exercise regimes
- dressing in layers to hide weight–loss
- perfectionistic attitude
- withdrawal from people
Bulimia
- bingeing or eating uncontrollably
- vomiting‚ laxative or diuretic abuse‚ fasting‚ exercising to get rid of calories
- feeling out of control
- feeling guilt about eating
- eating in secret‚ hiding food
- lying about how much food has been eaten
- bathroom visits after meals
- depression or mood swings
- harsh self–judgment
- swollen glands‚ puffiness in the cheeks‚ heartburn‚ unexplained tooth decay
- usually average weight with regular fluctuation in weight
Binge Eating Disorder
- rapid weight gain
- weight is above average or overweight‚ possibly obese
- eating large quantities of food even when not hungry
- disgust and shame after overeating
- eating food to the point that one is uncomfortable and even in pain
- feeling out of control over food
- hiding food that will be used later for binges
- does not use ANY measures to purge the binged food
- exhibits an abnormally low self–esteem
- attributes any successes or failures to weight
- avoids sexual activity and/or any emotional intimacy
- uses food to help cope with stress‚ emotional distress‚ and overcome daily problems
Getting Help for an Eating Disorder
The majority of people can recover from an eating disorder‚ especially if they seek help from a counselor or therapist who has training to work with eating disorders. Receiving help in each area that an eating disorder impacts has been shown to be effective. For example‚ consulting with a nutritionist about the food aspect‚ seeing a medical doctor about the physical effects and the potential for medication to help‚ and obtaining therapy for the psychological impact.
For You:
If you believe that you may be suffering from an eating disorder‚ the best thing you can do right now is seek professional help. The sooner you get started‚ the sooner you will be able to recover. At the University of Kentucky Counseling and Testing Center‚ there are trained psychologists who can help by working with you in both individual and group settings.
For a Friend:
Since secrecy and isolation help to perpetuate eating disorders‚ it is essential that you show that you are concerned and care about someone that you suspect may have a problem. Tell the person privately about specific concerns that you have about their behavior. Allow the person to talk and be prepared for some resistance to opening up to you right away. Encourage the person to talk with a counselor who will understand the issues and assist in recovery. If necessary‚ offer to come with the person to the Counseling and Testing Center to talk to someone. Your support and friendship can help the person take that important first step.
Online Screenings
www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Counseling/onlineScreen.html
University Resources
Counseling and Testing Center
201 Frazee Hall
(859) 257–8701
Services: Psychologists are available to provide assessment and individual therapy.
University Health Service
B–163 Kentucky Clinic
(859) 323–5823
Services: A registered dietitian can provide nutrition assessment and education. To schedule an appointment with the dietitian‚ call (859) 323–APPT (2778).
Online Screenings
www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Counseling/onlineScreen.html
National Resources
National Eating Disorder Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Counseling Center Village
http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/vpc.html
Resources
http://www.gurze.com/
Upcoming Events
Eating Disorder Awareness Week February 24–March 1‚ 2008
Some Web sites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky. The university does not review‚ control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites.
counseling & testing center . university of kentucky . 201 frazee hall . lexington‚ ky . 40506–0031 . (859) 257–8701 . fax (859) 257–3319