Eating disorders continue to increase in today's society. It is a common misconception that only teenage girls suffer from the problem, but they form only part of the population.
Adult women are as obsessed with the desire to be thin. More women in their 30s, 40s and 50s are developing eating disorders. The onset of anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating can occur at any time in a person's life.
Eating disorders involve extreme disturbances in one's food habits--following rigid diets, gorging on food in secret, throwing up after meals, obsessively counting calories. There's more to the problem than just unhealthy dietary habits.
Dr Sanjay Phutane, senior dietician, Homeo Clinic and Dietic Centre, Koramangala, says, "Cases of extreme obesity are common. Eating disorders mostly occur when a person eats at odd hours. The time between dinner and sleep is very less which results in the accumulation of fat. Little exercise and lack of knowledge about food are also major contributors to eating disorders."
Eating disorders also make the human body prone to many diseases which weaken its normal functioning. Dr Phutane points out, "Eating disorders result in hormonal changes.
The estrogen level decreases, thereby weakening the bones. The body then develops symptoms of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis." According to him, a calcium-rich diet and exercises like cycling and walking would be advantageous in preventing such diseases.
The development of an eating disorder may vary with feelings of self-hate, worthlessness and the need to be thin in order to be happy. Some may feel their lives are out of control and so turn to the one area of their lives that they can control - their weight. Others believe that once they attain the "ideal" body image, their lives will become perfect.
Depression, frustration, stress and the environment at home are some of the major reasons for the development of various eating disorders. Dr Phutane also says, "Unhealthy eating habits and lack of a nutritious diet result in anaemia in women causing physical and mental weakness."
Eating disorders are a lot different in teenagers compared to those in middle-aged women. Teenagers face peer pressure; they are influenced by different kinds of media like newspapers, magazines and television.
Dr Phutane points out, "An unbalanced diet causes nutritional disorders. Living on junk food and eating outside hampers growth, causes obesity, menstrual disorders, acne, hair loss, premature greying of hair, lack of concentration and sleep."
Eating disorders can be treated by way of counselling and awareness programmes. Women need be guided on the right lifestyle and eating habits. Dr Phutane says the right kind of food and regular exercise avoids illnesses. Meditation can also be advantageous." Severe cases of eating disorders are, however, dealt with by medication.
Dimple Naresh of Kirtana consultancy, a deitic centre in the city says, "Eating disorders can be of many kinds - Anorexia Nervosa which involves limited amount of eating, Bulimia where a person binges on food, and severe weight loss and obesity are other problems." She also says that mothers with eating disorders have children, who by the age of five, are more prone to becoming whiny and poor eaters."
A clinical eating disorder is sometimes present in the genes, making it likely that moms with eating disorders will have children who suffer from similar problems. Anamika Saran, 35, is seeing a totally different world after a series of counseling sessions and overcoming her eating disorder: "It is a real sense of empowerment. Now I can do what I want and fit into my clothes better."
Sharbani Mukherjee is rejoicing her win too, "I was embarrassed to socialise as I was overweight. The frustration hampered my self-confidence. I had hypothyroid which made me look extremely out of shape, but with regular medication and certain restrictions in my diet, I achieved good health and feel great."
Studies show that since 1996, the mortality rates have increased among women between the age group of 40 and 45 years due to Anorexia Nervosa.
Life stressors in mid-life may predispose middle-aged women to erratic food habits. Professional help, psychotherapeutic support groups and support from their loved ones would give a new lease of life.
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Adult women are as obsessed with the desire to be thin. More women in their 30s, 40s and 50s are developing eating disorders. The onset of anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating can occur at any time in a person's life.
Eating disorders involve extreme disturbances in one's food habits--following rigid diets, gorging on food in secret, throwing up after meals, obsessively counting calories. There's more to the problem than just unhealthy dietary habits.
Dr Sanjay Phutane, senior dietician, Homeo Clinic and Dietic Centre, Koramangala, says, "Cases of extreme obesity are common. Eating disorders mostly occur when a person eats at odd hours. The time between dinner and sleep is very less which results in the accumulation of fat. Little exercise and lack of knowledge about food are also major contributors to eating disorders."
Eating disorders also make the human body prone to many diseases which weaken its normal functioning. Dr Phutane points out, "Eating disorders result in hormonal changes.
The estrogen level decreases, thereby weakening the bones. The body then develops symptoms of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis." According to him, a calcium-rich diet and exercises like cycling and walking would be advantageous in preventing such diseases.
The development of an eating disorder may vary with feelings of self-hate, worthlessness and the need to be thin in order to be happy. Some may feel their lives are out of control and so turn to the one area of their lives that they can control - their weight. Others believe that once they attain the "ideal" body image, their lives will become perfect.
Depression, frustration, stress and the environment at home are some of the major reasons for the development of various eating disorders. Dr Phutane also says, "Unhealthy eating habits and lack of a nutritious diet result in anaemia in women causing physical and mental weakness."
Eating disorders are a lot different in teenagers compared to those in middle-aged women. Teenagers face peer pressure; they are influenced by different kinds of media like newspapers, magazines and television.
Dr Phutane points out, "An unbalanced diet causes nutritional disorders. Living on junk food and eating outside hampers growth, causes obesity, menstrual disorders, acne, hair loss, premature greying of hair, lack of concentration and sleep."
Eating disorders can be treated by way of counselling and awareness programmes. Women need be guided on the right lifestyle and eating habits. Dr Phutane says the right kind of food and regular exercise avoids illnesses. Meditation can also be advantageous." Severe cases of eating disorders are, however, dealt with by medication.
Dimple Naresh of Kirtana consultancy, a deitic centre in the city says, "Eating disorders can be of many kinds - Anorexia Nervosa which involves limited amount of eating, Bulimia where a person binges on food, and severe weight loss and obesity are other problems." She also says that mothers with eating disorders have children, who by the age of five, are more prone to becoming whiny and poor eaters."
A clinical eating disorder is sometimes present in the genes, making it likely that moms with eating disorders will have children who suffer from similar problems. Anamika Saran, 35, is seeing a totally different world after a series of counseling sessions and overcoming her eating disorder: "It is a real sense of empowerment. Now I can do what I want and fit into my clothes better."
Sharbani Mukherjee is rejoicing her win too, "I was embarrassed to socialise as I was overweight. The frustration hampered my self-confidence. I had hypothyroid which made me look extremely out of shape, but with regular medication and certain restrictions in my diet, I achieved good health and feel great."
Studies show that since 1996, the mortality rates have increased among women between the age group of 40 and 45 years due to Anorexia Nervosa.
Life stressors in mid-life may predispose middle-aged women to erratic food habits. Professional help, psychotherapeutic support groups and support from their loved ones would give a new lease of life.
Health and Fitness Tips and News
Health News Updates
Body Building Tips and Tricks
Beauty Tips
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