The slimming obsession, fuelled by a steady menu of advertisements in the mass media, is largely to blame for the growing problem of eating disorders.
In the light of its survey on the slimming treatment industry, the Consumer Council has expanded its scope of study on this issue to include the twin problems of anorexia and bulimia.
Consumers should be aware that eating disorders are complex and potentially life threatening illnesses with often far-reaching and devastating impact on the patients and their families.
The rising clinical statistics of the Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association reveal that among the patients of eating disorders, 90% are female with the majority aged between 15 and 35.
Further, people now no longer diet solely for health reasons. It has become increasingly common for even non-obese people, particularly adolescent girls and young women, to go on a strict diet.
Anorexia is a condition in which a person refuses to eat anything except minimal amounts of food, and eventually loses weight steadily to a dangerously low level.
Bulimia, often a twin problem, is an attempt to first restrict food intake and then results in out-of-control eating binges due to the prolonged starvation. Bulimics feel guilty afterwards, and compensate by self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, or doing excessive exercises.
Eating disorders are caused, in no small part, by a public literally being force-fed the notion that "slim is beautiful" and under constant pressure to control or lose weight.
The desire to be slim is one of a number of factors in the etiology of eating disorders, that may include personality traits such as low self-esteem and confidence, family and interpersonal relationships, disordered brain physiology, and other factors of a mental, physical and psychological nature.
Parents are strongly advised to pay more attention to their children:
- Encourage and let children develop their own interest
- Accept and let children accept that life is never perfect
- Promote mutual communication
- Explain and correct their misperception of body weight and image
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