~by Nicole Patience, MS, RD, LDN
Part of an ongoing series dedicated to raising health and safety awareness across the Temple community.
This week, Feb. 24–March 1, is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. With so much diet advice out today, it’s not surprising that many of us are confused about what to eat, and what is considered normal eating. In fact, we would be hard-pressed to find a group of friends where one or more people have not tried a diet fad with hopes that the promises on the box or book will hold true.
Crash diets and fad weight-loss strategies are not a long-term solution to weight loss, and in some cases can lead to disordered eating behaviors. A diet can make us willing to take extreme measures of altering our usual food patterns. Crash diets take us away from our typical routine and can keep us from listening to our own body’s signals that tell us when we feel hungry or full.
If you are concerned that a friend has lost sight of normal eating, there are steps you can take to reach out to him or her. Disordered eating can include a preoccupation with food, fear of weight gain, loss of control around food, or rigid meal times and routines that interfere with other priorities such as school, work or time with friends. For women, distinctive weight fluctuations and missed periods can be an indication of an eating disorder.
It’s easy to look up the definitions of anorexia and bulimia online, but people with an eating disorder may not fit the criteria exactly. The path to recovery from an eating disorder can be long. The treatment team often includes a medical doctor, a nutrition counselor and a therapist. It is important that someone with an eating disorder receives professional treatment as early as possible. Connecting a friend with treatment can save his or her life.
How can you help a friend you believe has an eating disorder?
Be a good example. You can be a role model with healthy and normal eating. For example, eat when you are hungry, remain flexible with meal times, and incorporate a variety of foods from the different food groups (including carbs) because you like the taste, not only because you feel you have to eat them.
If you decide to talk to your friend:
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Choose a quiet setting where she or he does not feel threatened or attacked.
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Explain to your friend how you feel, why you are alarmed, and what behaviors you find concerning.
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Remind the friend that you are there as a support and to listen if she or he chooses to talk about it, and emphasize that you would like him or her to seek professional help.
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Be patient. If someone has an eating disorder, they will likely not give up the disorder after one conversation. Many people with an eating disorder are in denial before seeking treatment. Your voiced concern may plant the seed that encourages your friend to pursue professional help.
Avoid taking on the following roles, as they can add stress to your friendship:
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The food police — Keeping track of what and how much your friend eats can diminish your friend’s ability to take responsibility for nourishing herself or himself.
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The nag or critic — Your friend may not be ready to seek treatment, but constantly harping on it or embarrassing him or her in front of others can backfire.
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The shield — Do not cover your friend’s weakness or lethargy from others.
A free online Eating Disorders screening questionnaire is available. To complete the questionnaire, learn more about eating disorders and treatment approaches, refer to the Student Health Services web site at www.temple.edu/studenthealth/Nutrition.html.
For further information on eating disorders, please contact Dr. Joshua Rosenzweig in Employee Health at 215-204-2679 or contact Student Health Services at 215-204-7500. If you have other health and safety questions, concerns and/or suggestions, please contact the Health and Safety Committee at healthandsafety@temple.edu.