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  Women's Resources:  Self-Esteem and Body Image
For more information and help, visit the Center for the Treatment of Eating Disorders online or at the office at 1321 Washington Street, Hoboken.

Eating Disorders are serious. According to the National Institute of Health "10% of eating disorder sufferers die."

A Little Food For Thought

  • Did you know that if female mannequins were real women they'd be too thin to have babies?
  • There are 3 billion women who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do.
  • Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14, and she is still considered beautiful.
  • If Barbie was a real woman, she'd have to walk on all fours due to her proportions.
  • The average woman wears between a size 12-14.
  • The models in the magazines are airbrushed - no one, not even models, look that good without some help!

    And here are some facts that are kinda scary...
     

  • One out of every four college-aged women has an eating disorder.
  • A psychological study in 1995 found that three minutes spent looking at a fashion magazine caused 70% of women to feel depressed, guilty, and shameful.
  • Twenty years ago, models weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today they weigh 23% less.

    • Reasons 

    People develop eating disorders for various reasons. Some common reasons are:  

    • a poor self image, including low self-esteem, a negative body image and cultural attitudes  

    • a difficulty with emotions such as depression, anxiety, despair and anger, or fear of sexual development 

    • a need for control in order to make up for feelings of helplessness, to get attention or rebel against parental control 

    • a stressful personal life, including situations such as death of a loved one, divorce or a breakup of a relationship, or school or work stress 

    • a need to overachieve, mainly perfectionists who may be overly concerned with grades, neatness, being a star athlete or the "perfect" son or daughter 

    Symptoms 

    Whatever the reason, there are some common symptoms to look out for. Watch out for symptoms such as: 

    • a lack of control over food  

    • obsessing about what is eaten  

    • eating alone or in secret  

    • hiding, stealing, or throwing out food  

    • isolating oneself  

    • denying the problem  

    Three Main Types of Eating Disorders: 

    Anorexia Nervosa 

    A person may: 

    • become very thin  

    • have dull hair, dry skin and brittle nails  

    • develop fine hair on arms, legs and torso  

    • always feel cold or tired  

    • exercise vigorously at odd hours  

    • have unusual eating rituals  

    • wear baggy clothes to hide the body  

    • stop menstruating  

    Bulimia Nervosa 

    A person may: 

    • gain and lose weight often  

    • not have a change in body weight in spite of eating a lot  

    • misuse laxatives or diuretics  

    • make excuses to use the bathroom after meals  

    • have tooth decay from contact with stomach acid during vomiting  

    • have cuts and scrapes on the backs of hands from self-induced vomiting  

    • have irregular menstrual periods  

    Binge Eating Disorder 

    A person may: 

    • gain weight rapidly  

    • not gain any weight instead in spite of overeating, especially if young or active  

    • not stop eating when full  

    • act guilty or disgusted with him- or herself after a binge  

    For more information on eating disorders: visit the Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. website, the National Eating Disorders Association website, or the Overeaters Anonymous website.