By Polina Pallieraki,
The Covid-19 pandemic has plagued humanity; but it is not the only condition from which people suffer, as the known to all “eating disorders” have become a worldwide phenomenon. Eating disorders are multifactorial diseases. It is a combination between biological, psychological, social as well as environmental factors, which can lead people and especially teenagers to develop a difficulty when confronted by burdensome thoughts and feelings they have about their body. Moreover, it is important to mention that the drawn-out isolation, due to Covid-19, has provoked changes in people’s lifestyles, in their sleep schedule and in their psychology which tend to indirectly affect their body image.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and overeating, are disorders that are caused by intensive feelings and attitudes towards body weight and food. First and foremost, psychogenic anorexia is characterised by inanition and excessive weight loss. People who suffer from this, refuse to conserve their body weight over a normal number of kilos according to their height, age, the level of their activities etc. Furthermore, these people face intense fear of gaining weight even when their weight is under the normal levels. People who face psychogenic anorexia, feel overweight while in reality, they experience dramatic weight loss and they have not a clear sense of what their body really looks like. Last but not least, these people do not care about the graveness of their condition and their only worry remains that of not getting fat.
On the other hand, psychogenic bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is characterised by repeated episodes of overeating and the secretive effort to relieve the body from the food which has been consumed through vomiting or intense exercise. The repeated events of overeating, include the consumption of a specific quantity of food in a certain time period, which is obviously bigger than the quantity of food that most people tend to consume during the same time period. People who suffer from psychogenic bulimia lose control when they eat and these anti-regulatory behaviours aim at preventing their weight from increasing. This behaviour includes self-induced vomiting, dangerous use of cleaners, diuretics, fasts etc.
Other eating disorders may include combinations of behaviours and symptoms between anorexia and bulimia. People’s behaviours and symptoms cause dangerous physical and emotional difficulties. Moreover, an epidemiological study has shown that the possible percentages of incidents of psychogenic anorexia are 0,78% in women and 0,14% in men. In addition, another research has shown that 23,3% of students present high risk of developing an eating disorder. What is more, the 9,5% of the students who took part in the research had already presented clinical evidence of possible diagnosis in the past.
After effects in people’s health
Eating disorders are very serious conditions, that pose a threat to people’s lives, and affect their physical and mental health. People who suffer from these disorders, tend to face problems such as fainting, muscle weakness, poor blood circulation, feeling cold, dried skin or pale colour. Other important symptoms that are detected in women is amenorrhea, osteoporosis and future reproductive problems. In men, the loss of libido is an important symptom while more crucially, a possible complication is death. In addition, it is important to mention that eating disorders weaken our immune system increasing the danger of picking up viruses such as covid-19. More specifically, people who get easily sick with high fever and nasal congestion (commonly known as a runny nose), should be much more careful.
Protective factors to reduce the appearance of eating disorders
Serious protective factors can reduce the development of eating disorders. For instance, an important factor for kids and teenagers is body positivity and the existence of a healthy framework which would give people the chance to express themselves as well as to learn and develop auxiliary skills that would help them manage their feelings.
Moreover, the Global Health Organization recommends people to receive all kinds of vitamins and nutrients of food, because the key to maintain a heathy physique is a balanced diet. Good eating habits can reduce the possibility of problems occurring such as obesity, heart disease and some types of cancer, which can all provoke a weak immune system. In addition, people should exercise daily for a couple of minutes to maintain a good physical state. However, due to the quarantine, online gym or dance sessions, using public transport, walking or cycling seem to be the best ways to exercise.
What does body positivity actually mean?
The definition of what is beautiful and acceptable is something that is prevalent within our familial and social environment. Very often, we tend to compare ourselves with the “ideal body” which is projected to us though social media. The pressure we feel about the “ideal body” indirectly affects the symptomatology of eating disorders. So it is important that both the school and family environment teach children and teenagers to reject the pressure they feel about not having the perfect body and focus on how to accept themselves and appreciate the positive aspects our body gives us not taking into account its size and shape. In addition, people who suffer from eating disorders, should appreciate their diversity and forget that a specific diet, weight, or body image brings happiness and satisfaction. People should evaluate themselves based on their goals, achievements and their unique character and personality.
References
- Healthline, 6 Common Types of Eating Disorders (and Their Symptoms). Available here.
- Παιδίατρος, Διατροφικές Διαταραχές. Available here.
