When Food is the Enemy
This lens is devoted to creating an awareness of eating disorders.
Why? Many people falsely believe these illnesses are choices, and that those suffering should just 'get over it' and 'eat' (or not eat, whatever the case may be).
The truth is eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder have devastating consequences.
Unfortunately many people around the World do not get the help they need, and if they do, sometimes it's too late.
Types of Eating Disorders
anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and all those in between
Generally, eating disorders are classified into four main types:
Anorexia - Anorexia is probably the most familiar eating disorder to the majority of people, but it is not the most common. The defining feature of this disease is an individual's fear of eating because they believe it will make them fat, even if they are already seriously underweight for their weight and height.
Find out more about anorexia nervosa
Bulimia - Bulimia sufferers binge and purge. They will eat large amounts of food in a discrete period of time (maybe two hours or more), and will then purge what they have eaten by self-induced vomiting, the abuse of laxatives, enemas, or excessive exercise.
Find out more about bulimia nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder - This disorder shares one of its characteristics with bulimia - frequent binge eating episodes. However, there are no regular purging behaviours. Binge eating is believed to be far more common among women and men than anorexia or bulimia.
Find out more about binge-eating disorder
Other Eating Disorders - Not all problem-eating behaviours can be neatly defined and 'put in a box'. For example, someone may display a few traits of anorexia but not all. In these circumstances they may be given a diagnosis of 'Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified'.
Find out more about other eating disorders
Anorexia - Anorexia is probably the most familiar eating disorder to the majority of people, but it is not the most common. The defining feature of this disease is an individual's fear of eating because they believe it will make them fat, even if they are already seriously underweight for their weight and height.
Find out more about anorexia nervosa
Bulimia - Bulimia sufferers binge and purge. They will eat large amounts of food in a discrete period of time (maybe two hours or more), and will then purge what they have eaten by self-induced vomiting, the abuse of laxatives, enemas, or excessive exercise.
Find out more about bulimia nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder - This disorder shares one of its characteristics with bulimia - frequent binge eating episodes. However, there are no regular purging behaviours. Binge eating is believed to be far more common among women and men than anorexia or bulimia.
Find out more about binge-eating disorder
Other Eating Disorders - Not all problem-eating behaviours can be neatly defined and 'put in a box'. For example, someone may display a few traits of anorexia but not all. In these circumstances they may be given a diagnosis of 'Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified'.
Find out more about other eating disorders
What Causes Eating Disorders?
it's not just about food...
There is no one single, definable cause of eating disorders.
Eating Disorders are about so much more than food. They are usually an outward expression of something much more complex that is happening to a person, and are used as a coping mechanism for stressful events.
Quite often an eating disorder will begin around the time of significant events in a person's life, such as changing schools, relationship breakdowns, bullying and other forms of abuse, and other difficult changes associated with growing up.
Certain personality traits are also associated with eating disorders, such as perfectionism, which is often seen among high achievers. Eating disorders also occur alongside other psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Research suggests there is a biological component to eating disorders, possibly involving an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, and genetic factors. More research is currently being carried out in these areas.
It is possible someone may be born with a predisposition to developing an eating disorder, which 'loads the gun'. It is their environmental influences, which then determine if the 'trigger is pulled', and an eating disorder develops.
Eating Disorders are about so much more than food. They are usually an outward expression of something much more complex that is happening to a person, and are used as a coping mechanism for stressful events.
Quite often an eating disorder will begin around the time of significant events in a person's life, such as changing schools, relationship breakdowns, bullying and other forms of abuse, and other difficult changes associated with growing up.
Certain personality traits are also associated with eating disorders, such as perfectionism, which is often seen among high achievers. Eating disorders also occur alongside other psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Research suggests there is a biological component to eating disorders, possibly involving an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, and genetic factors. More research is currently being carried out in these areas.
It is possible someone may be born with a predisposition to developing an eating disorder, which 'loads the gun'. It is their environmental influences, which then determine if the 'trigger is pulled', and an eating disorder develops.
Eating Disorders News
from around the World...
Keep up to date with the latest news, information, research and developments.
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Purging - Purging is when an individual tries to rid him or herself of food they have eaten by using inappropriate methods such as self-induced vomiting, abusing laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. Purging is not an effective way to lose weight, and the health effects can be very serious.
Bulimia Nervosa Statistics (UK) / Bulimia Nervosa Statistics (US) - Bulimia nervosa is more common among women than men, although anyone can suffer and statistics vary widely. Here are some statistics on the prevalence and incidence of bulimia nervosa from various UK and US sources.
Binge Eating - A person who binge eats consumes unusually large quantities of food in a discrete period of time, sometimes over several hours, or even days. During a binge eating episode he or she will feel unable to control what they are doing, and as if they just can't stop eating.
Bulimia Nervosa Statistics (UK) / Bulimia Nervosa Statistics (US) - Bulimia nervosa is more common among women than men, although anyone can suffer and statistics vary widely. Here are some statistics on the prevalence and incidence of bulimia nervosa from various UK and US sources.
Binge Eating - A person who binge eats consumes unusually large quantities of food in a discrete period of time, sometimes over several hours, or even days. During a binge eating episode he or she will feel unable to control what they are doing, and as if they just can't stop eating.
Eating Disorder DVD
what life is really like with an eating disorder (sometimes you just have to see it)
Perhaps the only way to truly understand the misery, despair, frustration and self-hatred experienced by those with eating disorders, is to actually watch it.
Thin
Lauren Greenfield's award winning documentary, 'Thin', takes us inside the Renfrew Center, a residential treatment facility for Eating Disorders in Florida. We are allowed to follow the struggles and triumphs of four women as they try to recover from the eating disorders that have plagued them for many years.
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 10/15/2008)
Books About Eating Disorders
sometimes no amount of information is too much
There are many, many books written about eating disorders and how to cope if you, or a loved one is a sufferer. It's not all doom and gloom; most people can look forward to recovery and a healthy life if they have the right information and help, but time is of the essence. The sooner help is sought, the greater the chances of beating an eating disorder and the smoother the transition will be into a normal life.
Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/15/2008)
Breaking Free from Emotional Eating
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 10/15/2008)
Why Can't I Stop Eating?: Recognizing, Understanding, and Overcoming Food Addiction
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 10/15/2008)
Overcoming Bulimia: Your Comprehensive, Step-By-Step Guide to Recovery (New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/15/2008)
The Anorexia Workbook: How to Accept Yourself, Heal Your Suffering, and Reclaim Your Life (New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/15/2008)
Helpful Websites
about eating disorders...
Here are some carefully selected websites, which provide information and help for eating disorders.
- Beating Eating Disorders
- Beat is the UK's leading eating disorder charity. Here you will find information and help on all aspects of eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, binge eating disorder and related eating disorders.
- National Eating Disorders Association
- The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest not-for-profit organisation in the United States working to prevent eating disorders and provide treatment referrals to those suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder and those concerned with body image and weight issues.
- Something Fishy
- Eating Disorders -- Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, Compulsive Overeating. Eating Disorders definitions, signs and symptoms, physical dangers, online support and much more.
- Anorexia & Bulimia Care
- Anorexia & Bulimia Care (ABC) is a national (within the UK) Christian charity working to support all those who suffer because of eating disorders and their associated problems.
Body Image
a distorted perception of reality...
A short, but powerful video highlighting the difference between body image perception and reality for someone with an eating disorder.
In Memory Of...
victims of eating disorders
Far too many young lives are claimed by eating disorders.
Sometimes those left behind are inspired to help others, despite losing a loved one. Many go on to do great work to raise awareness of eating disorders and help prevent such unnecessary, tragic loss of life in other young people.
Sometimes those left behind are inspired to help others, despite losing a loved one. Many go on to do great work to raise awareness of eating disorders and help prevent such unnecessary, tragic loss of life in other young people.
- Kristen Watt Foundation
- Kristen Watt died of an eating disorder when she was 14 years old. Her parents began the Kristen Watt Foundation in an effort to help other families facing the same problems and to raise eating disorders awareness.
- Danielle's Place
- Danielle Mayeur was 25 when her 8-year long eating disorder claimed her life. Danielle's Place provides support for individuals and their families while they go on their journey to recovery.
- Jessie's Hope Society
- Jessie Alexander suffered from an eating disorder for six years. At the age of 20, she took her own life. Jessie's Hope Society is an organisation focused on preventing eating and weight disturbance issues.
- Sheena's Place
- Sheena Carpenter was 22 when she lost her life to her eating disorder. In honour of her memory, Sheena's Place was established to offer support and hope for people with eating disorders.
- Anna Westin Foundation
- Anna Westin was 21 when she committed suicide, after having suffered with an eating disorder for 5 years. The Anna Westin Foundation strives to raise awareness and help prevent and treat eating disorders.
Don't Choose 'Pro-Ana' or 'Pro-Mia'
choose life
For those who choose 'pro-ana' or 'pro-mia' as a lifestyle choice, remember this: Eating disorders are not fun, not glamorous and they will take over your life until they control you.
If I go on a diet I will be thin...
I am still so fat...
Am I thin enough?
The Size Zero Debate
Thinness - the cultural ideal?
You've probably heard about the size zero debate. Many people are worried the presence of extremely thin, size zero models (or even double size zero) on catwalks and in magazines, has a negative influence on impressionable young girls and women.
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