ASK THE "DON'T DIET" DOCTOR

Dear Dr. Dorie:
I started losing weight and received lots of praise.  I cut back to eating only 1 meal a day, and now I have lost too much weight.  I know I need to eat more, but I am terrified of gaining weight.
- Too Thin

Dear Too Thin:
Because compliments about weight loss feel good, it can be easy to do whatever it takes to lose more weight.  However, your situation illustrates what can happen by taking the ‘weight loss games’ to an extreme.  It sounds like you may have an eating disorder, or at least be well on your way to developing one.  For a proper diagnosis, you need to see your physician and also a mental health professional.

Approximately 10 million Americans are currently receiving treatment for eating disorders, which are very serious conditions.  A recent study revealed that 50% of women on college campuses either have eating disorders or are severely obsessed with eating, exercise and weight.  Eating disorders do not discriminate; they affect all ages, all races, all socio-economic groups, and occur both in women and men.  It is estimated that about 6% of serious eating disorders cases die each year.

There are three general types of eating disorders:  anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.  It sounds like you may be dealing with anorexia, which involves restrictive eating, dramatic weight loss, and fear of weight gain.  Bulimia symptoms include binge eating followed by purging, which is a method of compensating for the calories consumed by self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, or excessive exercise.  Binge eating disorder involves binge eating without purging.

Many people assume that eating disorders are only about eating and weight.  However, there are always mental and emotional issues that underlie the eating disorder.  These may include relationship difficulties, school or work performance concerns, past traumas and other factors such as perfectionism or a need for control in one’s life.

Treatment for eating disorders typically includes medical evaluations, nutrition and fitness education, body image therapy, and counseling to address the underlying mental and emotional issues.  Treatment can be done on an outpatient basis, but serious cases usually require admission to inpatient programs.  Complete recovery from eating disorders is possible, which means that a person can live as if they never had an eating disorder, if proper treatment is obtained.

Eating disorders awareness is essential.  Take this opportunity to learn more about eating disorders and to get help for yourself or someone you care about.

© 2006 Dr. Dorie McCubbrey, all rights reserved.  As one of America's leading experts on obesity and eating disorders, Dr. Dorie is the author of How Much Does Your Soul Weigh? (HarperCollins, 2003).  Visit www.DrDorie.com for more diet-free solutions to your food, weight and body worries.

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