During some research, we found that eating disorders mainly affect young women aged between 13-17 [2]. Therefore, in this latest post we are going to raise awareness of how eating disorders affect women and the tell-tale signs that may suggest you or someone close to you is developing/suffering from an eating disorder. As always, helplines and websites will be available at the bottom of the post.
A fact that is probably not surprising to you, is that eating disorders are most prevalent in females. It is thought that a total of 1.25 million people suffer from an eating disorder in the UK [1], with 75% of the sufferers being female [1]. In general, females are 10 times more likely than men to suffer from bulimia or anorexia [3]. But it’s not limited to these two disorders, females can also be affected by other eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (AFRID) and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) [1].
So, what are the signs that could indicate the development of an eating disorder in you or someone close to you?
THEY COULD BE EMOTIONAL [4]:
- Attitudes and behaviours indicating weight loss e.g. dieting
- Feeling uncomfortable eating around others
- Checking the mirror for perceived flaws
- Withdrawal from friends
- Skipping meals or eating very small portions
OR PHYSICAL [4]:
- Having noticeable weight fluctuations
- Suffering with irregularities in menstrual cycle e.g. missing periods
- Suffering from dry hair and skin
- Brittle nails
- Fainting and dizziness
As well as these, different eating disorders have distinct warning signs. Examples include:
ANOREXIA NERVOSA [4]:
- Displaying dramatic weight loss
- Obsession with dieting, weight and calories
- Cannot maintain an appropriate body weight for age and height
- Excessive exercise
BULIMIA NERVOSA [4]:
- Binge eating
- Purging e.g. frequently visiting the bathroom after meals and showing signs of vomiting
- Excessive water intake
- Dental problems
- Fear of gaining weight
- Loss of control over eating
Watch a video on Jodie’s anorexia recovery story below:
It is no surprise that problems with body image play a significant role in the maintenance and development of eating disorders, with poor body image being mainly associated with females [5]. According to the 2016 Girl Guiding Survey on young girl’s attitudes about shape and weight showed that most were insecure about their looks [5]. Also, it was recorded that by the age of 10, 8 in 10 girls all agreed that looks were more important than ability [5], with most girls reporting weight as a main concern [5]. The main culprit for this mind set is the rise of social media and the ‘fat-calling’ that comes hand in hand. It’s these harmful words and behaviours that lead to weight stigma later in life, which has a detrimental impact on young women and their views on the ‘ideal’ body image. With such an emphasis on obtaining the ‘perfect’ body, it leads people to develop an unhealthy relationship with food and eating in general which is why eating disorders are so prevalent today.
Females are more likely than males to deal with poor body image by dieting, as society has made us perceive we only have the ‘perfect body’ when we are ‘thin’. But in reality, dieting itself has many emotional and physical side effects that people don’t really speak about [5].
HELP AND ADVICE IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SUFFERING FROM AN EATING DISORDER[7]:
- Don’t blame yourself- stay positive and fight self-critical thoughts
- Don’t go through recovery alone- friends, family and healthcare professionals are here to help
- Put yourself first
- Do not lose hope- with support a full recovery is possible
- Open up to friends and family
- Be patient with recovery- it is not easy and can be a lengthy process but a full recovery is possible
USEFUL TIPS ON HOW TO SUPPORT A FRIEND WITH AN EATING DISORDER[6]:
- Offer support e.g. offer to join them to appointments or help them with day-to-day tasks
- Continue to involve them in plans and activities (as eating disorders can make people feel very isolated). Although be careful not to make plans that centre around food.
If you feel you, or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, please reach out for help by booking an appointment with your GP. There are many organisations which offer help for individuals suffering from an eating disorder and support for their family and friends.
- Anorexia and Bulimia Care: http://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk
- Beat: Eating Disorders:
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk - National centre for Eating disorders: http://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk
- You can also contact your University student Wellbeing Centre.
Written by Lucy Gardner
3rd Year MPharm Student
References:
[1] Beat Eating Disorders (undated) Statistics for Journalists. Norwich: Beat Eating Disorders. Available from https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/media-centre/eating-disorder-statistics [accessed 25 October 2019].
[2] National Health Service (2018) Eating Disorders. London: National Health Service. Available from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/eating-disorders/ [accessed 27 October 2019].
[3] Royal College of Psychiatrists (undated) Anorexia and bulimia. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists. Available from https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/anorexia-and-bulimia [accessed 25 October 2019].
[4] National Eating Disorders Association (undated) Warning Signs and Symptoms. New York, United States: National Eating Disorders Association. Available from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/warning-signs-and-symptoms [accessed 26 October 2019].
[5] National Centre for Eating Disorders (undated) Body Image. National Centre for Eating Disorders. Available from https://eating-disorders.org.uk/information/body-image/ [accessed 27 October 2019].
[6] Beat Eating Disorders (2017) Supporting Somebody With an Eating Disorder. Norwich: Beat Eating Disorders. Available from https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/recovery-information/supporting-somebody [accessed 25 October 2019].
[7] Very well mind (2019) 11 Do’s and Don’ts for Eating Disorder Recovery. Very well mind. Available from https://www.verywellmind.com/things-to-stop-if-you-have-an-eating-disorder-1138275 [accessed 28 October 2019].