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What are Eating Disorders?
What are Eating Disorders?
Eating Disorders (ED) are described as an emotional illness that involves irregular eating patterns and habits concerning severe distress about body shape or weight. There are many different types of Eating Disorders categorized by different behaviors concerning weight loss or gain. (Eating Disorder Hope)
With social media being integrated more and more into our daily lives, eating disorders are becoming more and more common. Many are more concerned with the way their body looks, and want instant or fast results, which makes them turn to un-healthy methods of weight loss. When it comes to social media, it is important to keep in mind that many of the images you see may be, and most likely are, physically impossible to obtain. Ad agencies will photoshop 6 different people to form one, completely made-up person. Celebrities will heavily photoshop their surgery enduced bodies to better fit the societal mold.
Demi Lovato talking about her ed
Demi Lovato talking about her ed
Content warning: Personal experiences with eating disorders
Below is more specific information on some of the most common Eating Disorders.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by weight loss (or lack of appropriate weight gain in growing children); difficulties maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature; and, in many individuals, distorted body image. (National Eating Disorder Association [NEDA])
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a cycle of binge eating and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating. (NEDA)
Other similiar disorders can be fasting, purging, extreme dieting, calorie counts, etc. are all revolved around perceived body image. It is important to keep language in mind, shifting focus from weight loss to maintaining a healthy lifestyle makes a vast difference.
Binge Eating
Binge Eating
Binge eating disorder, the most common eating disorder in the United States, is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food; a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards; and not regularly using unhealthy compensatory measures to counter the binge eating. (NEDA)
These are some of a few eating disorders, that are often acompanied by other illnesses or disorders, such as body dismorphia, anxiety, and depression. Being that these are emotional disorders, treatments involve therapy as well as a monitored diet.
Social Stigma Around Eating disorders (NEDA)
Social Stigma Around Eating disorders (NEDA)
The best-known environmental contributor to the development of eating disorders is the sociocultural idealization of thinness.
By age 6, girls especially start to express concerns about their own weight or shape. 40-60% of elementary school girls (ages 6-12) are concerned about their weight or about becoming too fat. This concern endures through life.
79% of weight-loss program participants reported coping with weight stigma by eating more food.
Of American elementary school girls who read magazines, 69% say that the pictures influence their concept of the ideal body shape. 47% say the pictures make them want to lose weight.
Up to 40% of overweight girls and 37% of overweight boys are teased about their weight by peers or family members. Weight teasing predicts weight gain, binge eating, and extreme weight control measures.
Weight-based victimization among overweight youths has been linked to lower levels of physical activity, negative attitudes about sports, and lower participation in physical activity among overweight students. Among overweight and obese adults, those who experience weight-based stigmatization engage in more frequent binge eating, are at increased risk for eating disorder symptoms, and are more likely to have a diagnosis of binge eating disorder.
Children of mothers who are overly concerned about their weight are at increased risk for modeling their unhealthy attitudes and behaviors.
Weight stigma poses a significant threat to psychological and physical health. It has been documented as a significant risk factor for depression, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction.
Low self-esteem is a common characteristic of individuals who have eating disorders.
Perceived weight discrimination is significantly associated with a current diagnosis of mood and anxiety disorders and mental health services use.
Tedx Talk removing the stigma
Tedx Talk removing the stigma
A young woman talking about her experiences with bulimia.
Content Warning: Personal stories regarding eating disorders.
It's On Campus
It's On Campus
TCNJ resources range from group and individual sessions, as well as access to a dietitian all located in Eickhoff Hall! Many students have reported noticing changes in their eating habits, and it is important to stay healthy, so seeing a dietitian and setting up an organized plan can be helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle while having access to different types of food on and off campus!
Hear Us roar:
Hear Us roar:
Student testimonials
Student testimonials
"[I] wasn’t diagnosed but I definitely restricted food intake in an unhealthy manner and exercised excessively to burn the calories off that I did consume." -School of Nursing, Health, and Excercise Science
"I have never been diagnosed with any eating disorder, but I struggle a lot with self image. I have avoided and restricted food for periods of time and would go through heavy periods of working out, but then would fall back to a normal routine." -School of Humanities and Social Sciences,School of Education
"My appetite is reflective of the situations I am in. If I am stressed or busy I won't eat. When the pandemic began I didn't eat for 3 days, I was living off water and other liquids. Similarly, when I began rushing a sorority I stopped eating and started working out more to get rid of my fat. I was convinced​ that in order for people to like me I had to be 'slim thick' and look like I was popular." - School of Arts and Communication
Online Resources
Online Resources
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