Eating Disorders Claim Lives

It is shocking to note that Eating Disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. The Eating Disorder Clinicians at Associated Family & Community Support Services (AFCSS) want to raise awareness around the many factors that influence the development of disordered eating and eating disorders.

The two main eating disorders that most people know about are Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN), however other eating problems exist, including Binge Eating Disorder, Compulsive Overeating and Orthorexia (an unhealthy and obsessive focus on healthy eating). Muscle dysmorphia is also evident in males, which is characterized by a preoccupation with being big and muscular.

There are many factors that complicate, and influence, the development of an eating disorder such as dieting, perfectionism, social pressure, negative media images, trauma, self-esteem, and family history, to name a few. Risk factors for males differ somewhat and include, but are not limited to, media images that emphasize unrealistic muscular and lean body types, involvement in sports that emphasize specific weight ranges or body types, as well as low self-esteem.

Culturally, it has become “the norm” for both men and women, and now boys and girls, to speak negatively about their bodies. Dieting, proven to be ineffective, continues to be a way people try to “manage” their bodies as well as a means to socialize and connect in our culture. For many, it has become difficult to maintain a healthy mind-body development, with all the information, and misinformation we can be bombarded with. What many do not know is that there are serious emotional and psychological underpinnings to any eating disorder and the focus on food is a red flag to other more important issues.

To promote Eating Disorder Awareness Week a free education event is being held at the Parksville Civic Centre from 12:30 – 2:30 on Friday February 4, 2011. The Eating Disorder Team from AFCSS will host the event to answer questions for anyone who wants to know more about eating disorders or disordered eating. Topics will include: warning signs, risk factors, prevention strategies, the mind/body/food relationship, why food is not the real issue and what the real issues are, and how to get help. Shirley Wade-Linton, the team’s Dietitian, will also debunk many food and dietary myths. Information about resources and how to access them within your community will be shared, as well as information about our upcoming “Insights Into Action” group which I will be co-facilitating.

To find out more and to reserve your spot contact AFCSS 250-248-0076.

CHIC Power,

Angela Slade, MA CYC (cand.)
Founder, Esteemedchics.com
Clinical Practicum Student, Eating Disorders Program, AFCSS