Eating disorders in obese people

In relation to obesity, it is proven that both children and adults, and even professionals, show negative attitudes towards overweight people. These behaviors can trigger eating disorders in obese people. It has been said that obesity constitutes a harsh and debilitating stigma. A “stigma” is any personal attribute that deeply discredits the person who possesses it. In general, stigma is based on a group of belonging, a bodily appearance or “imperfections” or on character problems. Obese people tend to be stigmatized in the last two elements. Real cases The Journal of Pediatrics recently published two cases of obese adolescent patients who lost a lot of weight but have now developed a phobia of gaining weight, triggering an eating disorder. The first case was a 14-year-old boy who lost 39 kg in two years. Although the initial plan was for him to learn to eat healthy and exercise, he developed severe eating behavior problems that led him to a diet with a severe restriction of kilocalories and certain foods. Despite losing more than half her body weight, among other symptoms, doctors initially ruled out eating disorders as a diagnosis, according to the study. Finally, her mother insisted on an eating disorder evaluation. In the second case, an 18-year-old girl lost 37 kg in three years. After seeing a doctor, the young woman’s mother said she was concerned because her daughter was not eating any fat and had restricted food in general. Despite these clear signs of an eating disorder, the doctor co attributed the girl’s dizziness and lack of menstruation as symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, dehydration or possibly a hormonal imbalance causing changes in the menstrual cycle. Social pressure Obese adolescents are at risk of eating disorders. They are receiving a lot of media messages that are unhealthy. These messages make them believe that there is something wrong with them. This imposes social pressure on them that triggers a disorder. Furthermore, the stage of adolescence is considered important growth, so it is not “normal” to be on a weight loss regimen. When parents see their children lose weight, they should wonder about their eating habits. They should notice if they are skipping meals or avoiding friends or any behavior around food as these may be signs of an eating disorder. Other behaviors include: fasting, taking diet pills or laxatives, vomiting, and binge eating. Eating disorders in obese people arise from low self-esteem and self-efficacy. The effort to exert control over food intake is a manifestation of other underlying problems.