Why is it that in our society today, more and more eating disorders?
More and more people suffer from so-called eating disorders. According to experts, the number of annually reported eating disorders has doubled in the last 18 years. This is due, at least in part, to the fact that the awareness of a wider range of interference increases.
In a recent study of the Normandy Rouen University in France found that the prevalence of eating disorders of 3.4 percent of the population in 2000 to 7.8 percent in the year 2018, more than doubled. The results of the study were published in the English journal “the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition”.
What is the influence of our society on our eating habits?
The increasing recognition of eating disorders such as Bulimia nervosa partly explains the dramatic increase in, but what are the reasons for such an increase? Today’s companies have increased their attention to food, nutrition and dieting significantly. This leads to a particularly strong focus on obesity, public health and individual interventions for obesity. Eating disorders were more of an accidental causal factor, explain the researchers.
Eating behavior of children is greatly affected
The current reactions of the people on obesity and being Overweight contribute to an increase in eating disorders, because they are aligned with our General eating habits and a true demonization of certain foods and limiting the consumption of these foods as a solution. This focus reinforced the fear and the Stress in terms of the food and the General food consumption. In the case of small children this will be through increasing fear of eating, restrictive eating behavior, and certain behaviors in relation to food significantly, say the authors of the study.
Weight stigma hampers treatment
The study is quite significant because it took into account the total population, in order to quantify the prevalence of eating disorders, instead of only the people who already receive a treatment or are looking for support. There were human forms of the body and body sizes examined, the Participants showed a lot of similarities. There is a rise in all forms of eating disorders can be observed. But the stigma prevents many of those Affected, adequate treatment, which stoked the growing prevalence of eating disorders even more. The stigma affects both people who carry a little more weight around with them, as well as those who are too thin.
Recovery process takes a long time
A better and easier diagnosis and improved support for families and carers, and the elimination of stigma would, according to the researchers, the recovery process easier. Although the recovery takes often very long and there is often relapse, but this was all part of the healing process. The researchers emphasize that further studies should follow, and the subject of more attention must be given to fight the spread of eating disorders. (as)