Do I Have an Eating Disorder?

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Thinnest of Them All? Why is it that some girls (and boys) are perfectly content with their bodies while others are never satisfied? Have you asked yourself the question, “Do I have an eating disorder?”

Magazine ads, TV commercials and billboards bombard us daily with images of super-thin models and movie stars. So it is not just being a narcissist who is immersed in self-loathing and self pity. There are many influences that determine whether or not one can become susceptible to developing eating disorders.

Let’s look at some of the factors that can lead to eating disorders later in life.

• Age: For most people eating disorders start at an early age, typically as a teenager. However, there are have been many cases of both women and men where the problem surfaced in their adulthood.
• Gender: Although more women than men suffer from eating disorders, there’s an alarming rise in the number of young males experiencing the same bulimic or anorexic tendencies that their female counterparts do.
• Family influence: If you are close to someone who has an eating disorder, like a loved one in your family, your risk of developing eating disorders increases. Logically the very opposite should happen since you are sensitive to the problem. However, there is a very close connection between eating disorders and family influence, especially in your early years. When a parent or sibling constantly criticizes and tells you that you need to go on a diet, even jokingly, it can take an ugly turn into an eating disorder that wreaks havoc on your body.
• Peer pressure: Our self-image is greatly influenced by what our peers think of us. This intense peer pressure can play a critical role in developing eating disorders.
• Emotional problems: People suffering from compulsive disorders like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) sometimes develop an eating disorder. The same holds true for people who suffer from depression or anxiety disorders.
• Competitive athletes: If you’re the type of person who can’t get enough exercise, or someone who competes in athletic competitions regularly, then you might be prone to developing an eating disorder because you falsely believe it will enhance your performance.

If you fit any of these profiles, then you’ll want to take action to prevent yourself from developing eating disorders and/or developing unhealthy eating habits. Talk to your doctor about the issue and find out what a healthy weight and diet would be for your specific body type.

Instead of listening to the destructive voices that influence your thinking, work on building your confidence and socializing with positive people who don’t criticize you regularly.

Don’t get trapped in a fantasy of looking like the supermodel on the cover of the current issue of Vogue magazine. Artists using Photoshop and other computer techniques heavily retouch most cover and glamor shots. What you are looking at is not real; don’t waste your time chasing a mirage.

For more weight loss tips, visit www.athomeweightlosstips.com.

Interested in healthy eating information? Get my eBook, Eating Right for a Healthier You!

Related posts:

1. Stress Can Throw You Off Your Diet Plan
2. Eating Healthy with 10 Nutrient Packed Foods
3. Get a Better Understanding of Eating Disorders