FACT SHEET: Facts about Nutrition and Eating Disorders

Ads

What We Know

At any given time 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men are trying to lose weight.
More than $33 billion per year is spent on weight control products and services, according to the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
52 percent of women consider themselves to be overweight, and 50 percent are trying to lose weight.
The National Institute of Mental Health says more than 5 million Americans suffer from eating disorders.
Over 1,000 women die each year from eating disorders.

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Victims starve themselves because of a negative body image.
There are 8 million victims in this country and 90 percent are women.
6 percent of serious cases result in death.

Symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:

amenorrhea, which is the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles;
relentless pursuit of activity and exercise;
constant comments about being fat;
complaints of being excessively cold; or
skipping meals.

Bulimia Nervosa

Characterized by binge eating before self-induced vomiting and misuse of laxatives or diuretics.

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:

feeling that the victim cannot stop eating or cannot control what and how much they eat; and
eating significantly more food than most people would eat during a similar period of time.

Binge Eating Disorder or Compulsive Eating

Involves uncontrolled eating usually kept secret.
Unlike bulimia, sufferers do not purge after overeating.
Food is used as a means of coping with psychological problems.
40 percent of obese people may be binge eaters.

Symptoms of binge eating or compulsive eating include:

eating rapidly;
feeling uncomfortably full;
eating large amounts of food even if they are not hungry; and
eating alone because of embarrassment.

Facts on Obesity

According to the National Institute of Health, obesity affects 97 million American adults (55 percent).
Obesity affects about 10 percent of women aged 25 to 45.
Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI), a measure of excess weight, of 30 and above. The equation for BMI is weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meters) squared.
Obesity increases women’s risk for heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis and some types of cancer.
See also the Web site of the American Diabetes Association. Seventy percent of obese children remain obese as adults.
Obesity-related diseases cost nearly $70 billion each year according to the American Dietetic Association.

Healthy Weight Loss

It is unhealthy to lose more than 0.5 to 1 pound a week.
Do not restrict calories to less than 1,200 a day.
Choose an exercise program appropriate to your physical ability.
Always consult your osteopathic family physician before starting a strenuous exercise program.

Recommendations for a Healthy Diet

Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Drink alcohol in moderation (drinking with meals, and only when consumption does not put you or others at risk).
Watch your calorie intake:
Inactive women need 1,600 calories per day,
Active women need 2,000 calories per day, and
Very active women, or women pregnant or breast feeding, need 2,400 calories per day.
Proteins should make up 15 percent of calories in an average woman’s diet.
Carbohydrates should make up 55 percent of calories in an average woman’s diet.
Fats should make up no more than 30 percent of calories in an average woman’s diet.
Vitamins, minerals and water can be taken by supplements or enriched foods. Experts recommend eight 8 - ounce glasses of water a day.
According to experts, body types are a good indicator of health risks. The pear body shape, where excess weight is carried in the thighs and hips, is less of a health risk than the apple body shape, where excess weight is carried in the stomach. The apple body shape is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Eat a variety of foods.
Use sugars only in moderation.
Use salt and sodium only in moderation.

Similar of FACT SHEET: Facts about Nutrition and Eating Disorders

Eating Breakfast Cuts Calories and Heart Risk

Skipping breakfast may put you on the fast track to weight gain and heart disease, according to a new study. Researchers found that healthy women who skipped

Eating Disorders and Infertility

As many of us have found as we battle this foe called "infertility, ú so many factors can play a part in whether or not we will be able to conceive.

Think Weight Control, Not Weight Loss

Fifty million Americans will go on diets this year, spending some $30 billion on diet programs and products. Some will lose a few pounds. Only a few -- about

Live Long, Live Healthy by Eating Right

Healthy eating habits and nutrition have been an ongoing concern for many individuals over the years. "What do I eat?" and "How many servings can I eat?" are

Change Your Eating Habits During Pregnancy

Many women have the perception of pregnancy as the sole time during their lives when they don't have to diet and can eat whatever they want. It's true that

Childhood Obesity in U.S.A.: Facts and Fears

Obesity is one of the biggest health challenges facing the United States. The U.S. center for disease control says two-thirds of American adults and 15 percent

Are You Eating Genetically Engineered (GE) Foods?

If you are concerned about genetically engineered foods in your shopping cart, you better act now! Here are some things you should know before you buy any food