• Socio-cultural pressures to be thin are strongly linked to the development of eating disorders.
• Eighty-five per cent of Canadian women are dissatisfied with their bodies.
• Forty per cent of adolescent boys are dissatisfied with their bodies.
• Body dissatisfaction is a common issue in people with eating disorders.
• Ninety-five per cent of people who diet will eventually gain back the lost weight.
• Successful weight management comes through lifestyle changes regarding food, exercise and stress management.
• Eighty to 90 per cent of eating disorders begin with a diet.
• The number of males experiencing an eating disorder is increasing. In adults 10 per cent of eating disorders occur in men, while for adolescents 20 per cent of eating disorders are in boys.
• Eating disorders are not just about food - personal and relationship issues are involved.
• Anorexia and/or bulimia affect over 5 per cent of young Canadian women. Specific percentages for males are not available.
• Fifteen to 20 per cent of Canadian women have many of the symptoms of an eating disorder.
• There are five times as many people with bulimia as with anorexia.
• Most eating disorders begin in the teenage years.
• Seventy per cent of eating disorders last longer than five years, with almost one quarter lasting more than 15 years.
• Studies suggest that many males may be seeking medical help for the side effects of an eating disorder but not for the disorder itself.
• "Reverse anorexia", characterized by a fear of being too small and weak, may occur in some male athletes such as body builders and wrestlers. This may occur even if the individual is large and muscular. It may also be associated with anabolic steroid use in adolescent males.
• The complexity of eating disorders would suggest the advisability of a continuum of health services. These should include medical monitoring, nutritional and support group guidance, and individual, group and family counselling
• The resolution of an eating disorder is not just a matter of willpower.
• Experienced help is needed to overcome an eating disorder.
• The first step to wellness is to stop restrained eating and to break the binge-purge cycle.
• Long term therapy goals include: conflict resolution, stress management and assertiveness training, improving self-esteem, addressing family and inter-personal relationship difficulties, resolving abuse issues and providing body image therapy.

(See more information below)

• Excessive concern with weight
• Distorted body image
• Obsession with food and dieting
• Denial of hunger
• Abnormal weight loss or fluctuation
• Unusual eating habits or rituals
• Extreme physical activity
• Overuse of laxatives, diuretics, emetics or diet pills
• Social isolation
• Denial of the problem
  

• Cavities and gum disease
• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Hair, nail and skin problems
• Kidney damage
• Swollen salivary glands on each side of the neck
• Absence of menstruation
• Water retention and bloating
• Extreme sensitivity to cold
• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalance (may cause irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting and headaches)
  

• Feelings of low self-worth
• Social withdrawal
• Mood swings and irritability
• Inability to identify or cope with feelings
• Perfectionism
• "all or nothing" thinking
• Depression
• Guilt and shame
  

Shame and denial are common for those who experience an eating disorder. A caring confrontation may be necessary. If you suspect someone you know may have an eating disorder the following guide will prepare you to talk with them.

1. Preparation:

• Choose the person who has the best rapport with the individual.
• Identify the problematic issues (mood swings, social withdrawal, physical illness, etc.).
• Practice the caring confrontation with a friend or health professional.
• Discover the resources that are available for the individual.
• Be aware of your own feelings of anger, frustration, fear and concern.

2. Delivery:

• Speak to the person privately.
• Show you care about the person.
• Be assertive but remain calm.
• Communicate your concerns about behaviours, statements and attitudes.
• Be non-judgemental and accepting of the individual.
• Encourage them to seek professional help.

3. Response:

• Let the individual respond and listen carefully with empathy.
• Communicate your concern and a desire to talk about the problem.
• Don't get into arguments.

4. After you have talked:

• Read as much as possible about eating disorders.
• Be persistent, but not pushy, in trying to get them to seek help. If they are in physical danger because of the eating disorder, you may need to intervene to save a life.
• Do not force them to eat.
• Do not tempt them with their favourite high-calorie foods.
• Do not let your conversations focus on food and weight.
• Do not try to become the person's therapist.

For more information contact (306) 655-6673.

• Acknowledge that disordered eating is destructive and that you need to change.
• Take responsibility for your own recovery.
• Recognize that you cannot overcome an eating disorder alone; seek professional help.
• Learn to identify feelings that are related to your disordered eating and learn to express those feelings.
• Stop comparing yourself to others.
• Strive to recognize that you are a unique and valuable person.
• Set small personal goals regarding healthy eating, body image and relationships.
• Nurture yourself in ways other than by using food for emotional comfort.
• Turn to people, not food, for support.
• Learn to enjoy being in your body. Take part in activities such as dance, swimming and biking.
  

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by extreme weight loss from a self-imposed and severe restriction of foods and fluids, a distorted body image, an intense fear of becoming fat, and low self-esteem. People with anorexia diet to extremes and will commonly over-exercise in an effort to lose weight. Most sufferers don't realize how underweight and undernourished they are, despite comments from others. Even after reducing to dangerously low weight, individuals suffering from anorexia will temporarily feel better after losing weight, continue to "feel fat", and be convinced they need to lose even more weight. This denial of the problem makes it very hard to convince individuals to seek help.

Bulimia Nervosa is distinguished by regular periods of uncontrolled binge eating followed by some form of purging (i.e., self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives or diuretics, strict dieting, fasting, excessive exercising) in an attempt to prevent weight gain. Individuals suffering from bulimia often experience a persistent and driving concern with their weight, "over"weight or underweight. Dieting is usually followed by an episode of binging and purging. Dieting often results in feelings of deprivation and hunger, which may trigger another binge. Individuals with bulimia may initially lose weight but most will likely regain it because of the ineffectiveness of purging methods.

Compulsive Eating can be identified by periodic episodes of uncontrolled eating or binging. Compulsive eaters, like people struggling with anorexia and bulimia, use food to cope with low self-esteem, stress, emotional conflict and powerlessness. This pattern is often triggered by chronic dieting, then maintained by an inability to deal directly with uncomfortable feelings and daily problems. Compulsive eating is frequently followed by renewed pledges to diet or over-exercise, thus perpetuating the compulsive cycle. Compulsive eaters are not necessarily "overweight"; they can be any shape or size.