No Body's Perfect

Did you Know?

Four to five million adults and adolescents suffer from an eating disorder or borderline condition, and the number grows every year. The media has made looking thin the only way to look beautiful, but it's important to be proud of yourself for who you are and not for what you look like.

What are eating disorders?

The three most common eating disorders include:

Anorexia – People with anorexia diet excessively, to the point of starvation.

Bulimia – Those with bulimia eat large amounts of food, then vomit, take laxatives or exercise a lot to get rid of the food they have eaten.

Binge Eating – People with binge eating disorder eat enormous amounts of food or continuously eat without being hungry.

What are the warning signs? 

A person who has an eating disorder usually:

• avoids eating foods with any fat.
• is losing a lot of weight or isn't gaining a normal amount of weight.
• makes a lot of trips to the bathroom after eating.
• refuses to eat, even if it's healthy food, for fear of gaining weight.
• exercises a lot, especially after eating.
• doesn't participate in the same social events that he/she used to.
• isn't doing well in school.

What do I do if I think someone I know has an eating disorder? 

• express your concerns to them.
• encourage them to talk to their parents, a school counselor or a professional for help.
• be firm. It may take more than one time to get them to do something.
• be their friend. Someone struggling with an eating disorder needs support from their family and friends.
• call the Behavioral Medicine Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week for confidential help and advice. (262) 928-4036, or 1-800-326-2011, ext. 4036 if long distance.

What can I do to help fight eating disorders?

• Learn all you can about eating disorders to prevent you from taking the wrong attitude about food and weight.
• Don't believe the idea that a particular diet, weight or body size will automatically lead to happiness.
• Try not to talk about weight and size at all -- about yourself or others.

For more information about eating disorders,  call the Behavioral Medicine Center at 262-928-4036, or 1-800-326-2011, ext. 84036, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are free and confidential.