As discussed in a prior post (http://www.disabilityliving.ca/disability-canada-eating-disorders-mental-illness-highest-mortality-rate/), eating disorders have a high mortality rate. In fact, among all mental illnesses, eating disorders’ mortality rates are the highest.
Eating Disorders’ Statistics
Here are just a few of eating disorders’ statistics (Note: all of these statistics are in reference to Canadians):
– In 2002, of females (15-24 years old), 1.5 percent dealt with an eating disorder.
– This same year, “Four percent of males in ninth and tenth grade reported anabolic steroid use.” This demonstrates how disordered body image touches not only women, but men also.
– 0.3 percent of adolescent females have anorexia; 1 percent have bulimia.
– Many girls as young as five are aware of dieting and weight-loss.
– Almost 30 percent of young women in ninth and tenth grade diet.
– Of ninth grade females, 37 percent “perceived themselves to be too fat.” The same is true of tenth grade girls, only in their case, 40 percent have that perception.
– “Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness — it is estimated that 10 percent of individuals with anorexia nervosa will die within 10 years of the onset of the disorder.”
These statistics were taken from NEDIC’s fact sheet (http://www.nedic.ca/knowthefacts/statistics.shtml). To read more statistics about eating disorders in Canada, please visit that link.
What types of eating disorders are there?
After reading the statistics of eating disorders in Canada, you may be asking, “What types of eating disorders are there?” Let us begin by clarifying that eating disorders are mental health disorders.
There are several different kinds of eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorders. Disability Living will cover these topics in this week’s posts. To learn more now, visit http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/facts-about-eating-disorders/#.T7fH3812mPU.
What are the signs and symptoms of eating disorders?
While each eating disorder has its own separate set of symptoms, here are a few general signs that may be indicitive of disordered eating:
– Mood is decided by the number on the scale
– Obsession with caloric intake, weight, food, and body image
– Secretive eating
– “Lying about eating”
– Feeling ashamed or guilty about eating
Do you recognize these symptoms in yourself? If so, we want you to be free of them.
How can you become free? The first step is to reach out for help. Here are some resources you can connect with that may be able to help you break free:
– The National Eating Disorder Information Centre: http://www.nedic.ca/
– The Canadian Mental Health Association: http://www.cmha.ca/
– List of treatment centres: http://www.canadadrugrehab.ca/Eating-Disorder-Treatment.html
Please feel free to share your victories and struggles with us here at Disability Living. You can do so by leaving a comment on this post.
Sources:
http://www.nedic.ca/knowthefacts/statistics.shtml
http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/facts-about-eating-disorders/#.T7fEOc12mPU
http://www.disabilityliving.ca/people-with-disabilities-causes-of-an-eating-disorder/
Image made available by stevenharris on Flickr through Creative Commons License.
*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority. Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for the NBA and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.
Let’s Talk About It
Do recognize any signs of disordered eating in your own life? If so, what are going to choose to do about it?
Do you think fear holds people back from getting help for their eating disorders? Why?
