tagged w/ Eating Disorders
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Model Kate Moss has been causing outrage over her comments on a fashion website. When asked if she had any mottos she said:
"There are loads of mottos. There's 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'. That's one of them."
The motto originally came from some early Weight Watchers meeting and is said to be the slogan for people who are anorexic and bulimic.
However it appeared she tried to qualify the comment by later saying: "You try and remember, but it never works."
Campaigners say she should be setting an example to millions of girls and young women who see her as a role model and not encouraging them to hold off eating.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20091119/ten-kate-moss-slammed-over-skinny-commen-ea4616c.htmlModel Kate Moss has been causing outrage over her comments on a fashion website. When... more
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There has been a firestorm of discussion recently around the issue of displaying nutrition facts (i.e. calories, fat grams) on labels placed in front of food items in college dining halls. While the issue has been hotly debated on many campuses, including Yale and Harvard, it has also become a focus of national attention. In response to the growing controversy, Newsweek recently posted a web exclusive article titled “Rethinking the Freshman 15″. The question posed in the article is whether posting nutrition information promotes health or promotes an unhealthy obsession with numbers and food?
Read more at http://eatingdisorder.org/blog/2009/10/02/awareness-vs-obsession-nutrition-information-in-college-dining-halls/There has been a firestorm of discussion recently around the issue of displaying... more
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The Royal College of Psychiatrists has appealed to the government to do more to tackle the growing number of 'Pro-ana' and Pro-mia' (pro-anorexia and bulimia respectively) websites, as well as criticizing international catwalk shows, such as those featured during London Fashion Week, claiming they act as 'a showcase for underweight women' (Professor Ulrike Schmidt, chair of the college’s eating disorders section).The Royal College of Psychiatrists has appealed to the government to do more to tackle... more
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New imaging technology provides insight into abnormalities in the brain circuitry of patients with anorexia nervosa (commonly known as anorexia) that may contribute to the puzzling symptoms found in people with the eating disorder. In a review paper published on line in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, Walter Kaye, MD, professor of psychiatry and director of the Eating Disorders Program at the University of California, San Diego, and colleagues describe dysfunction in certain neural circuits of the brain which may help explain why people develop anorexia in the first place, and behaviors such as the relentless pursuit of dieting and weight loss.
"Currently, we don't have very effective means of treating people with anorexia," said Kaye. "Consequently, many patients with the disorder remain ill for years or eventually die from the disease, which has the highest death rate of any psychiatric disorder."
A better understanding of the underlying neurobiology - how behavior is coded in the brain and contributes to anorexia —is likely to result in more effective treatments, according to the researchers.
Childhood personality and temperament may increase an individual's vulnerability to developing anorexia. Predisposing factors, some suspected to be inherited, such as perfectionism, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive tendencies may precede the onset of an eating disorders. These traits become intensified during adolescence as a consequence of many factors such as hormonal changes, stress and culture.
"Adolescence is a time of transition, when individuals must learn to balance immediate and long-term needs and goals in order to achieve independence," said Kaye. "For such individuals, learning to cope with mixed societal messages and pressures may be overwhelming, exacerbating underlying traits of anxiety and a desire to perfectly achieve."
Once a patient develops anorexia, starvation and malnutrition cause profound effects on the brain and other organ systems. Such changes include neuro-chemical imbalances, which may, in turn, exaggerate the preexisting traits and accelerate the disease process.
"Individuals with anorexia tend to report that dieting reduces anxiety, while eating increases it," said Kaye. "This is very different from most individuals, who experience hunger as unpleasant." The powerful drive to avoid being anxious drives actually weight loss in anorexia nervosa, triggering the out-of-control spiral that results in severe emaciation and malnutrition.
In addition, people with anorexia nervosa tend to not experience pleasure or live "in the moment." They often have exaggerated and obsessive worry about the consequences of their behaviors, looking for rules when there are none, and are overly concerned about making mistakes. Co-author Julie L. Fudge of the Department of Psychiatry & Neurobiology and Anatomy at the University of Rochester Medical Center, notes that imaging studies suggest that individuals with anorexia have an imbalance between circuits in the brain that regulate reward and emotion (the ventral or limbic circuit) and circuits that are associated with consequences and planning ahead (the dorsal or cognitive circuit.)
"Brain-imaging studies also show that individuals with anorexia have alterations in those parts of the brain involved with bodily sensations, such as sensing the rewarding aspects of pleasurable foods," said co-author Martin Paulus, UC San Diego professor of psychiatry, who heads UC San Diego's Laboratory of Biological Dynamics and Theoretical Medicine. "Anorexics may literally not recognize when they are hungry."
One such brain region is the anterior insula, which is critically important for interoception, or the self-awareness of internal body signals. In addition to a failure to respond appropriately to signals of hunger, symptoms of anorexia - such as distorted body image and diminished motivation to change - could be related to disturbed interoceptive awareness.
"Anorexia is very complicNew imaging technology provides insight into abnormalities in the brain circuitry of... more
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Thinness is nothing new in the modeling industry, but is it getting worse? Here are some models who were criticized recently, deemed "too fat" for fashion. http://stilettorevolt.com/?p=1040Thinness is nothing new in the modeling industry, but is it getting worse? Here are... more
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Margie Hodgin, a nurse in Kernersville, N.C., had struggled to lose weight since she was a teenager. But it wasn’t until she turned 40 that she finally took off the extra pounds, and then some.
“It was a real sense of empowerment, that I can do this all on my own and no one is helping me, and I’m achieving what I want and fitting into my clothes better,” she said of her initial delight in shedding the excess weight.
But what started as discipline transformed into disorder. Ms. Hodgin would not eat more than 200 calories a meal, and if she did, she made herself vomit. She surfed pro-ANA, or pro-anorexia, Web sites for advice. She knew that what she was doing was wrong — more like adolescent, she said — but she figured she was only hurting herself.
Meanwhile, her chronic state of starvation was triggering wild mood swings. It was only after she and her husband had several therapy sessions that she came to realize that her eating disorder was wreaking havoc on him, as well as their three boys.
“At a certain point,” she said, “you cross that line and you can’t help what you are doing, and the eating disorder owns you. I lost my bearings on reality and maturity.”
No one has precise statistics on who is affected by eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia, often marked by severe weight loss, or binge eating, which can lead to obesity. But experts say that in the past 10 years they are treating an increasing number of women over 30 who are starving themselves, abusing laxatives, exercising to dangerous extremes and engaging in all of the self-destructive activities that had, for so long, been considered teenage behaviors.
The recent surge in older women at eating disorder clinics is not a reflection of failed treatment, experts say, but rather a signal that these disorders may crop up at any age. But while some diagnoses, like Ms. Hodgin’s, are not made until these women are in their 40s, they may have battled food issues for years.
The Renfrew Center, one of the largest eating disorder clinics, with centers throughout the United States, started a treatment track geared to the 30-and-older set in 2005. The Laureate Psychiatric Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., is about to start a program, too.
Cynthia M. Bulik, director of the Eating Disorders Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said her clinic used to have about one older patient at a time. Now, she said, about half the inpatients are midlife women. And the executive director of the Remuda Ranch Treatment Programs in Wickenburg, Ariz., Edward J. Cumella, said that clinic had had a 400 percent increase in admissions of patients 40 and older since the late 1990s.
“I think the degree of despair we are seeing among adult women about their bodies is unrivaled,” said Margo Maine, co-author of “The Body Myth: Adult Women and the Pressure to Be Perfect” (Wiley, 2005). “Eating disorders creep up during periods of developmental transitions, so the peak had been 13 to 15 and 17 to 19 — moving into adolescence and moving into college. Now, we are seeing them again during or after pregnancy and as women hit other life phases, such as empty nesting.”
No one knows what triggers eating disorders. Emerging studies point to altered brain signals, but it is tricky to decipher whether the defective biochemistry is a cause or a result of poor eating. The reigning theory is the same as it is for so many syndromes with no known cause: some people are born with genes that make them highly vulnerable to environmental stimuli. “Genetics loads the gun, and environment pulls the trigger,” is what the experts always say at the eating disorder conferences, said Caitlin Scafati, a recovered anorexic. And yet no one has identified the genes.Margie Hodgin, a nurse in Kernersville, N.C., had struggled to lose weight since she... more
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Americans spent $1.67 billion in 2007 on weight loss supplements. Ninety percent of the market belonged to one company. Selling over 9 million units in 2008, Hydroxycut’s reign as king has come to an end.
Here come the lawsuits but the fact of the matter is that there is a demand for weight loss supplements. Millions of consumers are back on the market trying to find the next diet pill that will help them get through their workout or lose the last 10 lbs. Since we don't know what ingredient caused the liver damage, many products that are unsafe are still out there. Here are a few things to check for when choosing an alternative and what you can do if you are experiencing side effects of Hydroxycut.Americans spent $1.67 billion in 2007 on weight loss supplements. Ninety percent of... more
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We do it for the bDr. David Kessler, 58, says that when he looks at a huge plate of French fries, he knows that if he starts eating them, he won't stop until he's wolfed them all down. Yes, even the former head of the Food and Drug Administration, who once oversaw the nation's health, struggles to eat well like the rest of us.
We do it for the buzz. Like drug addicts. How do we stop the constant craving?
In his new best-selling book, "The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite," Kessler, a San Francisco Bay Area pediatrician, explains why certain foods loaded with fat, sugar and salt exert such a pull, despite our best intentions to avoid them. As he discusses the biology that leads to scarfing down a plate of fries, he delves into such puzzles as why the French fry binger is more likely to remember the pleasant stimulation of the fries' salt, fat, texture and flavor than the stomachache and self-recrimination that follow it.
The former dean of medical schools at Yale and the University of California, San Francisco, Kessler, who is also a lawyer, contends that the American food culture, including our mores about when, where and how often we eat, plays a large role in fostering what he calls "conditioned hypereating." He argues that the government, food industry and individual diner all have parts to play in combating that plate of fries. While Kessler is not offering a weight-loss solution or proposing some chimerical healthy eating plan, his book strips away the allure of some of the most appetizing and unhealthy foods. I spoke with Dr. Kessler about why so many of us can't eat just one.uzz. Like drug addicts. How do we stop the constant craving?We do it for the bDr. David Kessler, 58, says that when he looks at a huge plate of... more
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Readers of /Film know that I’m a fan of wacky movie theories that make you reevaluate a film in much different light. Sometimes the theories are intended creations of the writer/director behind a film, but most times they are just fun interpretations created by the viewer (like this one). Either way, I always find them interesting and entertaining. Before you read this theory, take a deep breath — no one is saying that Raimi intended this interpretation — its meant to be fun.
/Film reader Steve M sent over an interesting theory he read over on IMDB. Micobiella thinks that Sam Raimi’s Drag Me To Hell isn’t actually a horror movie, but instead a story of a farm girl with an eating disorder, who starves herself to fit a certain image and begins hallucinating and going crazy. Apparently you can watch the entire movie from this viewpoint, with few exceptions, and it all makes sens. Read the theory after the jump. Warning: Spoilers follow.Readers of /Film know that I’m a fan of wacky movie theories that make you... more
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While its normal for women to gain weight during pregnancy, a common complaint one often hears (from the woman herself or others) is that the woman has gained too much weight. Well, what happens when a pregnant woman gains too little weight?
In a recent New York Times article, they quote that 20% of pregnant women gain too little weight which can lead to premature delivery and developmental problems for the child.
The article quotes a blog in which Maggie Baumann describes her feelings of horror at her ever expanding body during her first pregnancy which resulted food restriction and over excercise during her second.
From Baumann:
It was during my second pregnancy when the disorder appeared in its full force. I simply told myself, “I am not going to gain a lot of weight, and I am not going to allow my body to get ‘big’ like I felt happened with my first pregnancy.”
My doctor never knew the extreme exercise routine I followed. No one knew. I kept my calorie restriction, my exercise intensity and extended workouts a secret, even from my husband. When my doctor instructed me to stop exercising, I rationalized that I would not work out in the gym, but I could power walk and do whatever I could to burn calories “outside the gym.” I truly believed at that time my baby would be safe.
From the NYT article:
Ms. Baumann gained a total of 18 pounds on a 5′8″ frame, but as an accompanying slideshow illustrates, she barely looked pregnant. During the 7th month of pregnancy, a bleeding problem suggested the baby was experiencing intrauterine growth retardation. After birth, her child developed seizures and attention deficit problems, which her doctor suggested may have been linked with poor fetal nutrition.While its normal for women to gain weight during pregnancy, a common complaint one... more
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An estimated 80 percent of all women don’t like they way they look. Eating disorders don’t just affect women though. Of those diagnosed with disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, 10 to 15 percent are males.An estimated 80 percent of all women don’t like they way they look. Eating disorders... more
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6 months ago
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3 out of every 2 adults has an eating disorder. Now there is help from Dr. Giegersmoot and julianscomedystop.tv3 out of every 2 adults has an eating disorder. Now there is help from Dr. Giegersmoot... more
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There's a new young adult novel that's causing a flap amongst adults. Winter Girls is the of Lia who slowly becomes anorexic after watching her best friend die of bulimia. Some parts of the book graphically describe the thinking associated with eating disorders- you know, obsessive calorie counting, hiding things, ect. Anyway, many concerned adults (or calorie hogs, as the book calls them...JK!) think this novel encourages young women to develop eating disorders. However, others think it's a conversation starter.
From Jezebel.com:
Some have argued that the book's triggering qualities are mitigated by how terrifying its portrayal of anorexia and bulimia is. Jack Martin of the New York Public Library told the Times, "It's so horrific I don't think anybody would pick this book up and consider it a manual." It's true that the manner of Cassie's death — a ruptured esophagus caused by her bulimia — is incredibly disturbing, and that the deeper Lia descends into anorexia and cutting the more she feels self-loathing rather than strength. But a Times commenter says, "it doesn't matter if you describe the 'horrors.' i'll read right past it and go for what i want," and this may be true for many sufferers.
The real reason Wintergirls is a worthwhile book isn't that it will scare people away from eating disorders — it might do the opposite. It's that Anderson offers insight into a difficult subject, one that is much-discussed but frequently misunderstood. Especially strong is her treatment of Lia's family. While at first it's tempting to think that Lia's parents' divorce "caused" her eating disorder, the book ultimately resists such easy conclusions. Lia's mother, father, stepmother, and stepsister all come across as complex characters who influence Lia for both good and bad, and whose relationships with Lia will all be important as she begins her recovery. Anderson renders anorexia as a complicated disease with many interrelated causes, but she also emphasizes the importance of family in Lia's treatment — both these messages are worth sharing.
Cynthia M. Bulik, director of an eating disorder program, may have the best take on the book. She told the Times, "Books such as these should be read with careful parental supervision. In the best of all possible worlds, this could be a conversation starter between parents and teens rather than a dark world that teens enter alone reading the book in isolation." Read without discussion or supervision, Wintergirls could indeed be triggering. But read as part of a conversation — or, perhaps, read by parents and other family members — the book could help make some teens' worlds a little less dark."
Dunno. Is the book a trigger or helpful?There's a new young adult novel that's causing a flap amongst adults. Winter Girls is... more
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A really interesting study was picked up from Fox News (yes, Fox) about the links in reported decrease in sex organ functioning and loss of sex drive due to anorexia and bulimia.
(I know, this picture!)
Here's a quotation from Fox Sexpert, Yvonne Fulbright:
"Having an eating disorder is also linked to deficient sexual functioning in women when they become sexually active. When a female severely reduces her intake of food to the point she's consuming hardly anything, naturally, her reproductive system shuts down.
With low body fat, her body fails to produce sufficient amounts of sex hormones, namely estrogen. Thus, she'll quit menstruating, making pregnancy difficult for those hoping to reproduce. These endocrinal changes have a domino effect, starting with a lack of vaginal secretions.
This loss of vaginal lubrication makes intercourse painful and uncomfortable. As a result, many develop an aversive reaction to sex and further loss of interest. Lack of orgasm is also common in women with anorexia nervosa."
The commenter from Feministing.com made and interesting observation about Fullbright's analysis suggesting that the message implied is "Stop having an eating disorder. It's not sexy" which of course, plays into the whole narrative about how women's bodies as objects of sexual desire.
The connection between having a normal active sex life and an eating disorder is probably true and accurate. When your body goes into survival mode from lack of food, sex probably isn't a priority. However, the connection between sex and eating disorders is so complex... I mean, eating disorders are, in part, about control. If you've ever had one or been close to someone who has, you can see the control aspect pretty clearly. Sex involves control and I've heard of plenty of people who have been either molested or sexually assaulted developing eating disorder that related to their past traumas.
I dunno? What to you think? Munch on some Dorritos, have better sex?A really interesting study was picked up from Fox News (yes, Fox) about the links in... more
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One of the more uncommon health disorders to be lately discovered has been Anorexia Nervosa, a psychological disorder characterized by loss of appetite with secondary malnutrition and hormonal changes.One of the more uncommon health disorders to be lately discovered has been Anorexia... more
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Mohib
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German photographer Ivonne Thein’s photo exhibit is a veritable little shop of horrors. The women in this gallery are horribly emaciated, contorted, their bones are jutting out and their ravaged, sick bodies are wrapped in medical bandages.German photographer Ivonne Thein’s photo exhibit is a veritable little shop of... more
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Is this you? Eating Disorder cured & more clues in JCS Variety Show #5 Part 3. Find more family friendly fun on julianscomedystop.tvIs this you? Eating Disorder cured & more clues in JCS Variety Show #5 Part 3. Find... more
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Miss Universe contestant Stephanie Naumoska, 19, has been described as 'skin and bones' after appearing in the Australia finals - an event purporting to promote 'healthy, proportioned, bodies'.
At 5ft 11in and weighing in at 7st 7lb, the model claims she eats well and is actually a healthy body weight. Experts, however, say she is underweight and her BMI is just 15.1, well under the official 18 benchmark for malnutrition.
Is she too thin? Is she setting a poor example for girls and young women? Has the controversy surrounding ultra-thin models gone too far?Miss Universe contestant Stephanie Naumoska, 19, has been described as 'skin and... more
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Now here's a creepy trend among young women. Apparently more and more ladies are forcing up the contents of their stomachs to make room for more alcohol! Girls, let's remind ourselves that purging is purging, and the idea that just puking up booze isn't the same as "true bulimia", it's not far off the mark. So if you're making the "I was wasted" excuse or know friends who are, it might be worth taking that into consideration. Binge drinking is a social problem, and coupling that with barfing does not suddenly make bulimia ok. I've certainly made myself sick to save myself from a wicked hangover, but never to carry on drinking! Do you know anyone who does this? Have you?Now here's a creepy trend among young women. Apparently more and more ladies are... more
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The 90210 star is the actual size of a barbie doll. She looks horrible. That's my idea of too skinny. She's denying the anorexia accusations...
She's become a little (more) manly in the face too...what say you?The 90210 star is the actual size of a barbie doll. She looks horrible. That's my... more
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