Myths about Food Weight and Body Image

Myth: People are fat because they eat too much.
Fact: In fact, most people who are large eat no more than normal weight people.

Myth: Anyone can be slim; it just takes a little self-control.

Fact: Weight is extremely resistant to change. Dieting doesn't work; in fact, typically when dieters stop dieting they gain back all their weight plus a few pounds each time they diet.
Each person's body seems to have a "set point" weight where it naturally tends to stay. Dieting actually moves this set point upward in response to the deprivation the body experiences as a threat of starvation.

Myth: Being overweight is bad for your health.
Fact: Researchers are now finding that being underweight is just as bad for health as being overweight. The recurrent cycle of weight loss and gain (yo-yo dieting) is now thought to be more harmful than just being large and staying large.

Myth: Large=out of shape.
Fact: Not necessarily true. There are exercise and aerobics programs for large people, and some large people have excellent strength and endurance. (Conversely, some slim people have very poor levels of physical fitness.)

Myth: You can find out your ideal weight by consulting a weight table.


Fact: Weight tables disagree about ideal weights. If you have not distorted your natural healthy weight by yo-yo dieting and you build sensible, moderate eating and exercise habits and a positive body image, your body will naturally settle at its healthiest weight.

This may not be the same weight as another person your height, but it will be right for you. Life insurance company weight tables have been revised upward in recent years as studies indicate that heavier people live longer.

It has been realized that the weight tables of the past have been artificially and unhealthily low.



There are three main eating disorders:

anorexia nervosa, bulimia and compulsive overeating. All have quite distinct and separate characteristics.


However, they all involve problems with food – limiting the types of food eaten, losing control and eating too much or having to get rid of the food soon after eating.

Eating disorders are not just about eating, they are also about being unhappy with body shape size or weight and the impact this has on self-esteem, relationships and ability to cope with life in general.

It is thought 10% of the population has an eating disorder. Most people with an eating disorder are female, however more males are being diagnosed with eating disorders. Excessive exercise may also occur in order to lose weight.

Males, in particular may work out in order to gain more muscle and no matter how “muscly“ they become never feel they are big enough. This can lead to abuse of steroids – an obsession with muscle development can become dangerous if it goes unchecked.

Causes of Eating Disorders

In spite of research and numerous publications over the past decade, there remains uncertainty about the exact causes of eating disorders.

To date, evidence exists in support of a variety of risk factors that may contribute to the development of an eating disorder. The cause and influence of certain risk factors will differ from one person to another.

Psychological factors -
It is possible that feelings of anxiety, low self esteem, self criticism, feelings of inadequacy, perfectionism, the need to achieve highly and to seek other people’s approval can make you more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder.

Socio Cultural factors -
There is substantial pressure on women within western society to conform to the ideal of the “waif” look. Thinness is highly valued in our society. The beauty and fashion industries constantly persuade women to think that there is only one acceptable body image, despite the fact that the majority of women are not healthy at this size. The steroid muscle man image from cinema and magazines also influences boys to feel they need to build up their muscles to be attractive to women and to feel better about themselves.

Personal factors -
Often changes in life circumstances such as the breakdown of a relationship, changes in adolescence, or having been the victim of child abuse or rape can contribute to the development of an eating disorder.

Biological factors -
Some research suggests that hormonal or chemical imbalances in the body can play a role in developing an eating disorder.


Mental Health Association NSW Inc
60-62 Victoria Road, Gladesville 2111
Tel: 02 9816 1611
Fax: 02 9816 4956
www.mentalhealth.asn.au
mailto:info@mentalhealth.asn.au
BACK TO “Your Health Online”
the A to Z directory of dealing with Health Problems & Self Care Strategies for natural remedies to your health issues.

==========

Even when we try to eat well, we're disadvantaged. The nutritional content of most food has been compromised over the years, not only by deficient soils and modern production, transportation, storage and processing methods, but also by the enormous amounts of chemical and artificial substances added to promote growth, storage life, taste and appearance.

It's for this reason that more and more medical authorities are advocating the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. However, finding them in the right combination can be both confusing and costly.
The nutrition products I am going to recommend you make use of knowledge gained from the botanical world's 6,000 year history. They incorporated health building nutritional herbs with the best modern technology to help our bodies cleanse and detoxify so that the cells - the tiniest living units - can be as fully nourished as possible.
This allows the cells to grow, repair and to perform their functions with the best possible efficiency so that we feel and look better and are more able to prevent and fight disease. Once the body begins to clear itself of toxins it can more efficiently absorb nutrition.

Further reading through our articles on health issues will give you a body of information that will help you decide what options you have to deal with the underlying causes of your problem through giving your body the nutrition products that will assist you body to heal from the inside out.



You can visit our health food products page here: Herbalife Health Nutrition Supplements and learn more about our core nutrition program, the Cellular Nutrition Advanced Program and also check out these targeted products, Florafiber to replace your healthy flora and Aloe Vera Juice to help cleanse your system.

We wish you well in your search for solutions to this problem and your movement towards better health in all areas.