Eating Disorders About More Than Just Food
Common eating disorders currently include anorexia nervosa (characterized by the insistent pursuit of being thin), bulimia nervosa (characterized by the cycle of binge-eating and purging), and binge eating disorder (binge-eating without purging). However, a relatively rare eating disorder is also garnering more attention as of late. A recent article in the Journal of Adolescent Health discussed the lesser known eating ailment called Night Eating Syndrome, a disorder characterized by excessive night eating and found in an estimated 3 percent of the study participants surveyed.That is binge eating. Stop making shit up just to get headlines.
Although eating disorders are often characterized by a person’s relationship with food and eating habits, health experts are quick to remind those affected that eating disorders are about more than just food... Many eating disorders are characterized by underlying mental health issues that must be taken into account to ensure successful treatment programs. The most common mental health issues found in patients with eating disorders are mood disorders, depression, and obsessive compulsive behaviors.It has nothing to do with anyone's "relationship to food". That's an effect, not a cause. And those mental health correlations are due to the fact that mood and food are regulated by the same neurotransmitters.
While genetics often play a role in eating disorder predisposition, some believe that the increase in atypical eating habits and societal pressures, including those perpetuated by the media, can also contribute to the prevalence of eating disorders.Only because the media perpetuates erroneous medical information about food... like this article.
However, college students are not the only population reflecting an increase in poor body image. Troubling survey results released by NEDA indicated that insecurities around body image can develop when kids are still in elementary school. The survey indicated that a shocking 42 percent of first, second, and third graders report a desire to be thinner.Yes, well maybe because they are fat. They are fat, you know. And they would like not to be. Why don't you teach them sugar makes them gain weight and more hungry? Oh, because Tony the Tiger might freak out.
You're right, it's about more than food. It's about insulin and basic endocrinology, something almost everyone can understand if they get some actual facts. A good time for that might be during "Eating Disorders Awareness Week", doncha think? Oh never mind... your goal isn't education, it's attracting patients to your useless clinics, even though you admit you do not understand what causes eating disorders.
