A Conversation About Eating Disorders Emily Monson ... · •Recovery is possible; people get...

emilyprogramfoundation.org

Emily MonsonCommunity Educator

A Conversation About Eating Disorders


Why talk about eating disorders?

• Half of all people know someone with an eating disorder

• More than 14 million Americans and 70 million individuals worldwide currently struggle with eating disorders. – That includes 200,000 Minnesotans

• It is estimated that 11% of high school students have been diagnosed with an eating disorder

• The most common behavior that can lead to an eating disorder is dieting.– In 1970: the average age girls began to diet was 14– In 1990: the average age had dropped to 8


What comes to mind when you hear

‘eating disorder’?


Types of Eating Disorders

• Anorexia nervosa• Characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss• Least common type of eating disorder

• Bulimia nervosa• Characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by purging or

“compensation” for the binge

– Binge eating is defined as eating large amounts of food—more than most people would eat in one meal—in a short period of time

– Purging behaviors include: self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, extreme exercising, not eating for a long period of time, misusing other medications

Source: National Eating Disorders Association


Types of Eating Disorders

• Binge Eating Disorder• Recurrent episodes on binge eating followed by marked distress

regarding the binge

• Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder• Most, but not all, of the criteria are met for another ED

diagnosis

• Can also be a combination of symptoms from multiple eating disorders

Source: National Eating Disorders Association


Individuals with Eating Disorders Come in All Shapes and All Sizes

katiegreenbean.blogspot.com/2011/02/let-me-be-first-to-admit-i-used-to.html


DietingGeneticsPhysical changesPuberty/MenopauseBrain Chemicals

Stressful eventsCoping skills Identity/self-imagePersonality factorsPerfectionismDepression

Cultural factorsPressure to “fit in”Media messages about Appearance Dieting “norm”

Biology Psychology

Social Environment

Why do eating disorders happen?


Treatment and Recovery

• Recovery is possible; people get better.

• Even if someone “looks” better, it doesn’t necessarily mean they really are.

The majority of recovery from an eating disorder is an internal, emotional process.

• Treatment could be anything from once-a-week to 24-hour care, depending on the individual


• The student who eats only a small amount of each food on her plate because she’s afraid of getting fat.

• The adolescent boy or girl who comes home to an empty house and eats whatever snack foods are available.

• The young girl who skips breakfast and lunch, has a candy bar and diet soda after school, finds a way to skip the evening meal with her family—and then goes on a secret eating binge in the evening.

• The wrestler who fasts for 2 days before his match to make weight, then eats nonstop for the next day or two.

• The dancer, gymnast, or cheerleader who refuses meat, eggs, milk, or any foods she imagines might make her fat and unable to perform.

• The bright and confident class president who is teased about the size of her body and begins a fad diet to lose weight.

Recognize the Signs


Communication: Talking to Someone You’re Concerned About

• Talking to a friend or loved one may be difficult, but it’s important!

• Disordered eating should not be taken lightly or ignored. The person can’t just ‘stop doing it.’ They need help.

• Talk to the person; tell them you’re concerned.

• Check back later & ask them how they are doing.


Using “I” Statements to Communicate

• Describe the situation: “I’ve noticed that…”

• Say how you feel: “I feel concerned about…”

• Ask for what you need: “I need to know that…”


Activity: Overcoming Barriers to Communication

In your small groups, discuss and answer these questions:

What are 3 barriers to communicating with someone who struggles?

What are 3 ways you might overcome these barriers?


Preventing Eating Disorders: What You Can Do


Body Image

• What is body image?

• Who has it?

How do you feel about what you see?


Prevention Strategy #1: Go Fat-Talk Free


She should not be wearing that tight shirt!

You’d be so much prettier if you lost some weight.

Shouldn’t you be watching what you eat a little more?

Geez, how much do you weigh?!?

He should really do some sit-ups to help get rid of that belly.


• Everyone has different ways of coping that work best for them. It’s important to know what works for you.

Prevention Strategy #2: Cope with Life in a Healthy Way


Healthy Looks Different for Everyone!


Prevention Strategy #3: Media Awareness and Advocacy


The average person receives 400-600 media messages every day…and none of them are real.

emilyprogramfoundation.orghttp://www.foreverhealthyandyoung.com/index.php?post=110


You Can Make a Difference

• Appreciate your body

• Go Fat Talk Free

• Challenge negative media messages


[email protected]

www.emilyprogramfoundation.org

Want to get involved?You can like “The Emily Program Foundation” on Facebook

Resources:

www.nationaleatingdisorders.orgwww.something-fishy.orgwww.haescommunity.orgwww.about-face.orgwww.newmovesonline.org

http://www.emilyprogramfoundation.org/

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

http://www.something-fishy.org

http://www.haescommunity.org

http://www.about-face.org

http://www.newmovesonline.org


The remaining slides are additional content for longer (>80 minutes)

presentations only.


Activity: How Would You Help Someone You Cared About?

What would you say to a teenage girl or boy who might be feeling pressured to lose weight or change

the way their body looked?

In your small groups, write down 2 things you might say to dissuade them from acting on this pressure.


The Truth About Dieting

• 95% of people who initially lose weight on “diets” gain it all back—sometimes even more than they lost.

• In a recent study, teens who dieted regularly gained moreweight over a 5 year period than those who didn’t diet at all.

• People who diet are more likely to binge-eat, become depressed, and are at higher risk for eating disorders and obesity.

• Dieting can also lead to deficiencies in calcium, iron, and other important nutrients for daily function.


Activity: The Diet Dilemma

It’s time for us to give it a try—grab a straw and try out the Air Diet!

The rules:

• No “cheating” your diet (no extra gulps of air or laughing)

• If you have asthma or start to feel dizzy or anxious at any time, return to normal

breathing immediately


“Healthy eating” means eating what you want, when you are hungry for it, and

stopping when you are full.


10 Principles

Reject the Diet Mentality and the Thin Ideal

They were created by businesses to

profit off of setting you up to fail.

Honor Your Hunger

Don’t ignore your body’s needs; make

sure your body learns to trust you.

Make Peace with Food

Give your body what it really wants,

without judgment.

Ignore the “Food Police”

No food is inherently good or bad. All

food is fine in moderation.

Honor Your Fullness

Stop when your body tells you it’s full.

Listen to your internal cues.

Don’t forget to enjoy your Food

Honor your Emotions

Don’t use food to mask them

Move in a way that FEELS GOOD to YOU!

Accept Your Body

Don’t be overly critical, your body is a

vessel that gives life.

Practice Self Care

Give yourself credit, eat well, move daily,

and get enough sleep.


Media Activity: Get into small groups and discuss

the image given to your group.

Questions to Consider:

• What is the image trying to sell? Think about both product and the sort of lifestyle it portrays.

• What does this image say about the “perfect woman” looks? How about the “perfect man”?

• If you could change this image to reflect someone more like yourself, what would you do?

A Conversation About Eating Disorders Emily Monson ... · •Recovery is possible; people get...

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