What are the implications of emotional eating disorder for society?
The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) reports that about 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from an eating disorder. Of these, approximately 20 million are women and 10 million are men. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that have potentially life-threatening consequences.
While any eating disorder can be harmful, emotional eating disorder is particularly dangerous because it is often unrecognized and untreated. Emotional eating disorder is characterized by using food to cope with negative emotions. This might look like bingeing on comfort foods when you’re feeling stressed,SCARED, or sad. Or it might look like restricting your food intake when you’re feeling angry or guilty.
Emotional eating disorder can lead to serious health complications, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and gastrointestinal problems. It can also worsen existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
The implications of emotional eating disorder for society are far-reaching. The financial cost of treating eating disorders is estimated to be $155 billion each year. The emotional toll is even greater, with sufferers struggling with shame, isolation, and fractured relationships.
If left untreated, emotional eating disorder can have devastating consequences. But with treatment, recovery is possible. If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional eating disorder, please seek help from a qualified mental health professional.Click here for more info
What is emotional eating and why does it happen?
Emotional eating is a term used to describe a pattern of eating in response to negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, sadness, boredom, or loneliness. It is characterised by eating in excess of what is needed for physical hunger, and is often accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame.
There are a number of contributing factors to why emotional eating can occur. One theory is that it is a form of self-medication, in that the act of eating can temporarily reduce negative emotions. Another possibility is that it is a learned behaviour, developed in childhood as a way of coping with difficult emotions or situations. It may also be a form of coping mechanism for people who have difficulty expressing their emotions in a more balanced way.
Emotional eating can have a number of negative consequences. Firstly, it can lead to weight gain and obesity, as well as other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Secondly, it can create or worsen feelings of guilt and shame, which can further contribute to negative emotions and a cycle of emotional eating. Finally, it can interfere with more constructive coping mechanisms, such as problem-solving or seeking social support, which can further compound the negative effects of emotional eating.
If you think you may be struggling with emotional eating, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can assist you in exploring the root causes of your emotional eating, and developing healthier coping mechanisms.
Visit mengeredstoo.co.uk to learn more about emotional eating disorder. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.