Body Image,Eating Disorders,

and FAD diets

What is Body Image?• Body Image is how you see and

feel about your appearance AND how comfortable you are with your body

What defines Body Image?• CULTURE and SOCIETY!• WE ALLOW models and movie stars to

set an unrealistic standard for attractiveness and acceptability. WHY????

• GET THIS: Models represent less than 1 percent of the population AND

are heavily photoshopped!

Having a HEALTHY body image

• What does it mean to have a healthy body image?

• You listen to what your body tells you- eat when you need to, stop when you’re full

• Appreciate and care for your body• Realistic expectations about your

size based on your family’s genes• Realize your weight and body shape can

change frequently and rapidly in teens

Unhealthy Role Models

Healthy Body Image Role Models

Eating Disorders

• Eating disorders are conditions that involve UNHEALTHY concern about body weight and shape

• Leads to controlling weight in unhealthy means.

• THOUSANDS of people die each year from complications related to eating disorders

Anorexia Nervosa• Anorexia Nervosa is Self-starvation• Leads to a distorted body image

(thinking one is overweight when underweight)

• Someone with anorexia may consume only a few hundred calories PER DAY

• An anorexic’s body may begin feeding on ITSELF as a source for energy

Anorexia can lead to:

• Intense fear of weight gain• Loss of menstrual cycle• Hair loss on head• Depression and anxiety• Low bone density• Organ failure• Heart failure• DEATH

Bulimia Nervosa

• Involves frequent episodes of binge eating and purging

• Bingeing involves consuming large quantities of food at one time

• Purging means ridding the body of food through vomiting or laxatives, fasting, or over exercising

Bulimia can lead to

• Unhealthy weight loss• Blood shot eyes• Sore throat• Decay on tooth enamel and dental

problems• Irregular menstrual periods• Depression and mood swings• Hair loss• Severe dehydration

Binge Eating

• Involves frequent binge eating but no purging

• Accompanied by feelings of guilt, shame, and loss of control after binge session

• A THIRD of people with weight problems suffer from binge eating disorders

• Most binge eaters are overweight or obese!

DON’T…• Look to “Fad” diets! A Fad Diet is a diet

that requires major changes in your eating habits and promises quick results

• Examples: Low Carbohydrate Diet, Puleo Diet, Detox Diet, anything with the word DIET in it!

• Fad Diets or programs do NOT help with long term weight results!

• Remember: FAD diets are BAD diets!

What’s the best advice?

• The best way to manage weight:• Eat a balanced diet that includes food

from ALL food groups• As a teen, stay under 2,500 calories• As you get older, stay under 2,000• Get plenty of EXERCISE and SLEEP• LOVE YOURSELF! You are beautiful

BECAUSE no one else looks like you!