Struggles With Body Image

Eating Disorders on the Rise: What You Need to Know

By: Julie Revelant

October 13, 2013

This article talked about eating disorders. According to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, children under 12 who were hospitalized for an eating disorder increased by 119 percent between 1999 and 2006. A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that 10 to 15 percent of males suffer from eating disorders as well. The younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Brian said he was “fat-shamed” by his mother, as well as bullied and physically assaulted at school, leading him to develop body dysmorphic disorder – a condition that causes a person to have a distorted view of his or her body. During his freshman year of college, Cuban developed anorexia and bulimia, eventually became addicted to drugs and alcohol, and even attempted suicide. He suffered for 27 years until finally getting help in 2007 and turning his life around. Eating disorders usually show up during puberty and in early adulthood, between the ages of 18 and 20.

Eating disorder signs:

- Restricting calories

- loss of menstrual periods

- weight is 15 percent below ideal

- distorted body image or body critiquing

- purging, use of laxatives, excessive exercise

- binging behaviors

- secretive eating

- isolating from family and friends

- scraping and bruising of the finger joints

- yellowing of teeth or dental problems

How to receive help?

- talk

- admit there's a problem

- treatment