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Many people with eating disorders report that a doctor or therapist has refused to treat an eating disorder, based on faulty stereotypes. This occurs because many people—even professionals—believe that weight or visual characteristics can be used to identify an eating disorder. For example, many assume that people with anorexia will be bone-protruding thin, that binge eaters will be obese, and people with bulimia will have an average weight. It isn't that simple!

Anyone can have an eating disorder, no matter what shape or weight they have. ...continue reading →

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Men who have eating disorders or body dysmorphic disorder often think that they are unusual in battling with these problems. Not so, but until recently it could seem true because very few men were willing to share their stories. Thankfully, Brian Cuban has broken the taboo with his memoir, Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body Dysmorphic Disorder Body dysmorphic disorder is an intense preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in physical appearance.

Brian's story begins with childhood social anxiety, being bullied and rejected by peers for his size and awkwardness, and being ridiculed by his mother for his weight. ...continue reading →

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Poverty may have many unexpected consequences. Being intensely preoccupied with the problems that arise when you don't have enough money for normal living expenses results in difficulties performing other complex tasks, according to a study by the Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy at the University of Warwick in England.

Studies have found that poverty is associated with lower rates of accessing preventative health care, missed appointments, poor adherence to medication schedules, lower work productivity, less attentiveness to children, and worse financial management. ...continue reading →

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Have you ever skipped a meal so you can drink alcohol without putting on weight?

You may have drunkorexia, a popular term for the combination of excessive drinking and anorexic behaviors.­ Drunkorexia is linked to body image concerns. That’s why it is particularly common among weight-conscious young women, but muscle-conscious men can have it, too. People who have drunkorexia are very aware of the caloric values of food, drink and exercise, and will do whatever it takes to be able to drink the alcohol. ...continue reading →

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Yoni Freedhoff's article on parenting children who are overweight argues that child obesity is not a problem of personal choice or too little will power. Young children who are overweight are well-aware that they are overweight. They have already suffered negative consequences, such as bullying, lectures, and shaming.

The primary problem is that we are living in a culture in which a flood of calories comes at kids. For children eat Froot Loops for breakfast and Happy Meals for dinner, over-consumption of calories is the norm. Who decided what these children would eat? Who bought those items?

Freedhoff's suggestion to parents who are concerned about their children's health and weight: "Live the life you want your children to live."

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