Exercise and Eating Disorders

As a public health major i have come to realize the importance of exercise.  It helps to prevent so many chronic diseases, and can also help with depression and eating disorders.  I read an article recently about a woman who feels that exercise has helped her to overcome her eating disorder.  I also read another article that stated the exact opposite.  What do you think?  Take the Poll!

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Getting involved

I read a sad article today about an eating disorder treatment center in New York that is shutting down because of lack of funding.  While there are some discrepancies about why the center has closed, the owner states that the lack of support from the medical community where he lives is the main cause. All of the people who were going to the center for treatment are now left alone during a particularly difficult time of year for eating disorder sufferers, Christmas.

While it might not be practical for everyone to get involved with this particular clinic, there are many opportunities to help through donations, service, and fund raising.   The National Eating Disorders Association’s website provides a multitude of options for donations.

If you are able to support this cause through donations or even by helping a friend who has an eating disorder then i encourage you to do it.  You really can make a difference in someone’s life.

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Pregnancy and eating disorders

Since many college students will experience pregnancy during their years in college, i thought that it would be beneficial to talk about eating disorders during pregnancy.  Obviously, there are serious health risk for a person with an eating disorder, but what about the unborn child that they are carrying?  ABC recently did  a special on this very issue.  Also i wanted to include this video from ThePregnancyShow.com that gives some information about pregnancy and eating disorders.

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A family problem

While i feel like media has the furthest reaching influence on eating disorders, i thought that i should point out that i do not fell that media is not the only reason that people develop eating disorders.  There are many factors that lead to a person developing an eating disorder.  Recently,  i read a news article talking about the correlation between a dieting mother and the prevalence of her daughter acquiring an eating disorder.  The results of the survey discussed in this news article indicated that girls who saw their mother dieting frequently were more likely to have problems with disordered eating.

While this was not a scientific study, it does present some useful information.  Parents should be mindful of what they are teaching their children about body image and self confidence.

If you know a family member who is showing signs of having an eating disorder, be loving and supportive, not judgmental.  Do your best to help them help themselves.

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