Weight & Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can generally be conditions characterized by unhealthy eating habits that may involve either too little or too much food intake, which is ultimately to the detriment of an individual’s physical & emotional well-being.

There are several different types of eating disorders. Some of the most common are:

Anorexia

Extreme food restriction, inappropriate eating habits or rituals, obsession with having a thin figure, and an irrational fear of weight gain, as well as a distorted body self-perception.

Bulimia

Binge eating followed by purging – typically by vomiting, taking a laxative/diuretic and/or excessive exercise – because of an extensive concern for body weight.

Binge eating

Repeatedly eating an objectively large amount of food in a short period of time, experiencing a lack of control while eating or feeling self-deprecating based on eating behaviour. People who suffer from binge eating do not purge after their binges.

Purging

Repeatedly purging to control weight that occurs in people with normal or near-normal weight. Absence of bingeing. People who suffer from purging disorder do not suffer from binge eating.

Compulsive overeating

Frequently unable to control their food consumption, during which they may feel frenzied or out of control and often eat past the point of being full. Also, a compulsive over-eater will spend excessive amounts of time and thought devoted to food, and secretly plan or fantasize about eating.

Symptoms & signs of weight and eating disorders

Undereating:

• Constant dieting or food restriction.
• Self-induced vomiting
• Use of laxatives
• Excessive and/or compulsive exercising
• Unhealthy fixation on other’s weight and physical appearance
• Constantly checking your own body for fat areas (measuring, pinching, examination in the mirror)
• Denying or ignoring your hunger
• Low self esteem

Physical symptoms:

• Weight loss (continual or sudden)
• Fainting and dizziness
• Absent menstrual periods in women
• Fatigue
• Feeling cold

Overeating:

• Eating to the point of physical discomfort
• Binge eating
• Eating in secret
• Eating even if you’re not hungry
• The need to eat more and more to feel satiated
• Feeling shame after indulging
• Preoccupation with food
• Low self esteem

Physical symptoms:

• Digestive problems
• Weight gain (continual or sudden)
• Headaches
• Chronic pain
• Fatigue