Research into eating disorders

[AbertayResearchGroup]

Would like to hear from anyone that has or knows anyone that has been effected by healthy eating campaigns from any media sources either negatively that caused eating disorders or helped in any way. Responses would be very much appreciated

[crazycrossstitcher]

Healthy eating is obviously good - and campaigns to help people eat more healthily are also a good thing BUT its about balance - for those with anorexia being continually bombarded wherever they look by this sort of campaign is NOT helpful - a recovering anorexic needs the fats, sugars etc that these campaigns ram down our throats as being "bad" for us - the campaigns re-inforce all the negative thinking that an anorexic has around food. Also - being continually confronted with packaging telling you just whats in every mouthful you eat - our local Harvester even has the calorie count of each dish on its menu - is fuelling eating disorders - do we buy and eat what we actually enjoy - will those things that are less healthy in moderation - or do we look at the packaging and make our decisions according to what this says - this can only increase those who are focussed entirely on weight and food issues ie cause an increasing number to have eating disorders - and since underweight by many GPS is seen as OK - whereas overweight is seens as NOT OK - and treatment focusses on those who are overweight with little or no help for those who are underweight - a local nurse can give you any information you like about losing weight - but can't give you anything about gaining or stabilising it - no club exists to support you - there are few services out there to help and access is limited - with 7 year olds presenting with anorexia - where is it going to end!!!

[StarB]

I think the coffee shop Pret are good.. They advertise that diets are bad and encourage eating to be enjoyable

[AbertayResearchGroup]

thanks for the input. i understand with the social stigma that goes along with eating disorders people feel guilty or ashamed for talking about it, so i really appreciate hearing from people of all backgrounds with different perspectives.

[Hidden]

The constant bombardment about the dangers of overweight certainly don't help an anorexia but the single most message that affected me is the one concerning that mist people on a diet put the weight back (and more) once they come off the diet. This feeds my fear that if I gain weight it will spiral out of control. Hearing about recovered anorexics who now have a high BMI is even more damaging.

On a positive note I've seen documentary programmes and articles in the papers about having anorexia and the long term effects on health in "real life stories. Some of the images have been truly shocking. These, for me, have woken me up to the devastation of having an ED and then the encouragement to do something about it.