When Does A Diet Become An Eating Disorder?

The quest to lose weight is a laudable one, but for a growing number of people the drive turns into an obsession, making an eating disorder one of the fastest-growing psychological disorders in the developed world today.

The causes of eating disorders are manifold, from peer pressure to underlying mental problems to childhood trauma to a host of others. This makes treatment a challenge, as there is no "magic bullet" cure. Unlike something like chicken pox, which has a known cause and treatment, each eating disorder is different; as different as those who suffer from them.

One of the groups most at risk for eating disorders is teenage girls and young adult females. They face a "perfect storm" of pressure from their peers, parents and society to look thinner and thinner. Fashion and teen magazines show models who look like they haven't seen a full meal in months. They watch their mothers obsess over extra pounds and pursue unrealistic body-image goals. At the most impressionable time in their lives, they are led down a dangerous and deadly path.

If you suspect someone close to you has an eating disorder, here are a few of the many signs to look for:

Sudden dramatic weight loss
Obsession with weight loss or body image
Purchases of diet drugs, especially strong, stimulant-based ones
Attempting to camouflage lack of food consumption, such as moving food around on the plate to make it look eaten
Obsessive interest in calorie/fat content of all foods, even things like fresh vegetables
Visiting Internet sites dedicated to eating disorders

That last item may be alarming, but it is sadly a possibility. There are a growing number of Web sites, especially on social networking sites, that glorify eating disorders and help give sufferers tips on how to hide and cope with their disease. The idea that such sites exist may be appalling and repugnant, but the fact is that they are out there.

If someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, or you suspect that may be the case, it is important not to be confrontational. Consult with a doctor or a mental health professional immediately, and let them guide you. It will require time, care and effort, but eating disorders can be beaten.

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