Tag: Eating disorders

During adolescence, the body undergoes significant growth and development, with about 50% of adult body weight gained during this period. This rapid change means a 14-year-old's nutritional needs are complex and dynamic, making calorie counting potentially harmful and largely unnecessary.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hunger is the single gravest threat to the world's public health, and malnutrition is a major contributor to child mortality. Starvation, the most extreme form of malnutrition, begins when the body's energy expenditure consistently exceeds its caloric intake over an extended period.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), an estimated 2.8% of U.S. adults will experience binge eating disorder in their lifetime. Binge eating is a prime example of a disordered eating behavior, characterized by consuming an unusually large amount of food in a short period while feeling a lack of control.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. When you eat uncontrollably, this condition is formally known as Binge Eating Disorder, or BED. It is a serious, but treatable, mental illness characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming an unusually large amount of food, accompanied by a feeling of a loss of control.

In a landmark 1944 study involving 36 healthy men, one big finding from the Ancel Keys Minnesota Hunger Experiment was that semi-starvation causes severe psychological and behavioral changes, including depression and intense food obsession. The study revealed that these mental impacts were just as debilitating as the physical ones. The research, originally conducted to aid post-war famine relief, became a cornerstone for understanding the interconnectedness of physical and mental health.

According to a 2016 meta-analysis, pica, including the specific craving for starch, was associated with a 2.4-fold increase in the odds of anemia. This persistent and intense desire for non-nutritive, starchy substances is a medical phenomenon with specific names and causes.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, pica is a relatively common mental health condition where a person compulsively eats non-food items, affecting certain populations more frequently. This behavior is known as the eating disorder in which people crave foods such as dirt or ice, and it can affect individuals of any age, though it is more common in children and pregnant women.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders are most common in teenagers or young adults, but can affect almost anyone at any age. This guide offers practical strategies and compassionate advice for anyone who is struggling to eat or supporting a loved one through the challenge.

Studies reveal that while breakfast is the most frequently missed meal, a significant portion of the population also skips dinner, with rates in young adults ranging from 5% to 47%. This widespread practice often stems from busy schedules, weight control concerns, or simply not feeling hungry, but it can have adverse effects on health.

According to research, it's a common misconception that vomiting can completely eliminate calories; even when done immediately after eating, studies show that only a portion of the total calories consumed are purged. The simple and scientifically-backed answer to "do you still get the calories if you vomit?" is that yes, you still absorb a significant amount of them, and this practice is highly ineffective for weight control.