Sadly, approximately 5% of all females and 1% of all males in the United States suffer from bulimia or anorexia, many just trying to lose weight. In addition, some 250,000 Canadian women between the age of 13 and 40 also live with these diseases. What makes this so frightening is that the number of people with eating disorders is growing, specifically in western states. In both cases, the person becomes obsessed with food, wanting to become thin. With bulimia, a person will consume a tremendous amount of calories, usually in one setting, and then use laxatives or vomiting to purge. With anorexia, the person eats very little, sometimes as little as five grapes and two crackers a day!
What makes this unhealthy and dangerous means of weight loss even worse is that while there are some indicators as to the cause, the one single cause has yet to be identified. Most experts believe the person with the eating disorder has a misperception of his or her body, believing that it is too fat. Studies do show that many people suffering from bulimia and anorexia experience family and cultural pressures, personality disorders, and emotional problems. However, some experts also believe both of these eating disorders could be related to genetics.
Although there are many factors surrounding this issue, cultural pressures seem to play a huge role. The truth is that Americans are obsessed with weight. You can watch television or movies, read magazines, see billboards, and other forms of media all advertising clothing, shoes, travel, perfume, jewelry, and hundreds of other things while using the services of a very, thin model. Then when you look at how thin Hollywood is, the situation becomes even worse.
Many times, teenagers with a little bit of “baby fat” will think they too need to lose weight to fit in better or make more popular friends. Much of this is based on the overall “thin obsession”. Unable to stick to a healthy diet or finding little time for exercise, the person decides to start purging as with bulimia or not eating at all as with anorexia. If you have a teenager or any family member that has taken on a new obsession to weight, it is imperative that you pay attention.
Talk to the person to find out if he or she is feeling new pressure. If not, then you should talk to your doctor to rule out hormones, depression, or some other physical or mental problem. Heading off an eating disorder in anticipation of losing weight is the key to success. Instead, a well-balanced diet, 30 minutes of exercise daily, and possibly some counseling would be a much healthier way to lose weight while keeping it off.