Body image: The Facts
IT is estimated that approximately 1,757 new cases occur in Ireland each year in the 10- 49 age group. According to the Health Service Executive’s Model of Care for Eating Disorders – launched in January 2018, nearly 370 children were hospitalised for anorexia or bulimia between 2016 and 2018. According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, this marked an increase of 42 per cent between 2016 and 2018.
Eating disorders, especially anorexia, have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses.
Ninety children under the age of 16 had inpatient stays in Irish hospitals for anorexia or bulimia in 2016. This rose to 145 in 2017.
Factors that create an eating disorder: The 3 Ps - Predisposing – Precipitating - Perpetuating.
Predisposing factors are those that put a person at risk of developing an eating disorder e.g. dieting culture – ‘Slimness is the new God’. The availability of food conflicts with pressures to be thin. The construction of femininity – ideal body sizes has changed remarkably over the last 30 years. The self worth of both women and men is increasingly based on external attractiveness (body image).
Precipitating factors refer to a specific event or trigger to the onset of the current problem e.g. research shows clearly that food restriction (dieting) may lead to eating disorders. The need to feel in control of one’s life gets displaced into controlling food intake and body shape.
As dieting progresses other behaviours begin to form to maintain the eating disorder. For example dieting can cause binge eating, which then leads a person to use different strategies to deal with calorie intake e.g purging. These behaviours get wired into the brain and it becomes a vicious cycle of binge eating/purging.
Perpetuating factors are those that maintain the eating disorder once it has become established e.g dieting, starving, purging, over exercising or taking slimming pills heighten the dieter’s poor relationships with their body, food and self. Physiological effects of dieting on the resting metabolic rate and brain chemistry can lead to overeating and weight gain. Negative mood and cognitive changes such as false ideas about food or black and white thinking (good and bad foods) lead to difficulties with control of food.
Dieters do not attend to their natural appetite they impose all kinds of restrictions on themselves.
Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders and Obesity Michelle O’Gorman is running a workshop on Sunday, February 2, at Creacon Wellness Centre called: ‘Heal your relationship with your body, food and self ’.
The workshop offers participants a powerful journey of inner-reflection so they can heal their relationship with their mind, body, food and spirit. Drawn from the latest therapies that inspire recovery and self-care, Michelle will help attendees empower themselves to break free from destructive patterns. ‘No matter where you are on your journey join us for a day of insight, transformation and motivation,’ she said.
The workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a break at 11 a.m. for coffee/tea and lunch at 1 p.m.
Refreshments and lunch are not included in the workshop price. Limited spaces are available.
For more information call Michelle on 086