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February 24, 2015 

February 22-29 marks National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Eating Disorders are a serious and potentially life threatening illness affecting women and men of all ages. The number of people struggling with eating disorders- as represented in anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and excessive exercising - is growing; our cultural emphasis on a perfect body size contributes to this increase. Eating disorders reflect people struggling with extreme attitudes around weight, shape and/or food issues. Eating disorders often co-occur with other psychiatric disorders (notably, alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, other mood disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder), complicating treatment and recovery. 

 

It Starts With Body Image!

81% of 4th grade girls think they are too fat. The average age a girl starts dieting is 8 years old. Even among clearly non-overweight girls, more than one-third report dieting. Although most commonly reported in adolescent females, boys also struggle with body image leading to eating disorders. 

Are You Aware That:
  • The average American woman is 5'4" tall and weighs 165 pounds. The average Miss America winner is 5'7" and weighs 121 pounds.
  • Over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting and taking laxatives.
  • One out of three women and one out of four men are on a diet at any given time.
  • Girls who diet frequently are 12 times as likely to binge as girls who don't diet.
  • The dieting industry is the only business in the world that has a 98% failure rate.
  • A study found that adolescent girls were more fearful of gaining weight than getting cancer, nuclear war or losing their parents.
  • Eating disorders are now recognized to be a significant problem for women (and men) through midlife; 13% of women in their 50's struggle with symptoms, according to one recent study.
  • Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses.
    • Take Action and Get Positive Results 

    Start young. Encourage healthy eating, exercise and positive family communication. Parents can model this behavior. By encouraging a healthy body attitude, we can begin to combat the unhealthy imaging in the media and with peers. Eating disorders are not just about food and weight; they reflect psychological, social and genetic factors and are often an attempt to control internal thoughts/ feelings through external means. If you suspect a loved one has an unhealthy relationship with food or their body, get an assessment with a trained professional; continue with evidenced-based treatment if indicated. 

     

    At Core Counseling, you can pursue Mind-Body Wellness through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and other therapeutic techniques. To find out more or to schedule an appointment, call me at Core Counseling, LLC: 201.875.5699. Experience a comfortable, private and confidential environment with an atmosphere of encouragement, optimism and compassion.

     

    Together we can find solutions to your core issues. "To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself." Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.

    In Health,

    Lisa Fedder, MSW, LCSW, LCADC
    www.corecounselingsolutions.com
    560 Sylvan Avenue                     108 Baker Street
    Englewood Cliffs, NJ  07632       Maplewood, NJ  07040
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