Eating is, without a doubt, one of life's greatest pleasures. However, when we live in times where the search for the perfect body is increasingly intense, for some people, the act of eating becomes a nightmare.

As a result, many people choose not to eat, while others eat more than necessary or simply throw away the food they have eaten. When this relationship between food and appearance gets out of control, it can signal an even bigger problem: an eating disorder, which affects around 4.7% of the Brazilian population. Among young people, this number reaches 10%.

In addition to aesthetic factors, eating disorders are associated with biological, social and psychological changes. Investigating the causes and trying to understand that there is no such thing as an “ideal” body, but rather a happy body, can be the key to effective treatment with good results.

Stay with us until the end of this article and see the main categories of eating disorders, treatments and how to transform your relationship with your body and food.

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are disorders characterized by irregular eating habits, in which there is great concern about weight or body shape.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these are psychological disorders that can lead people to unhealthy weight loss, obesity and other physical and mental problems.

In general, they happen when, worried about food or weight, men and women stop eating, eat too much or discard the food they have consumed.

For many years, this type of disorder was seen as a “nonsense” or frivolity of people who were only concerned with aesthetics. However, this concept was broken after a while and, today, it is considered a serious mental disorder, which affects men and women of all social classes.

Types of eating disorders

From the WHO's point of view, anorexia and bulimia are considered the most common types of eating disorders. However, there are other categories defined by the American Psychiatric Association (AAP) that mainly affect young people.

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder caused by an excessive concern about gaining weight. People who suffer from this eating disorder create a distorted image of their own bodies when they look in the mirror and, even though they are thin, they consider themselves overweight.

At the beginning of the disorder, it is common for only high-calorie foods to be gradually cut from the diet. However, as the condition progresses, other foods are eliminated from the menu and those that are maintained are consumed in very small quantities.

Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa:

• Sharp weight loss;
• Excessive concern about diet;
• Lack of appetite;
• Extreme fear of gaining weight;
• Severe food restriction;
• Excessive physical exercise.

Bulimia nervosa

Unlike anorexics who avoid eating for fear of gaining weight, people with bulimia eat large amounts of high-calorie foods. However, feelings of guilt then cause them to engage in compensatory behaviors to eliminate all the food from their bodies, such as vomiting and taking laxatives and diuretics.

This binge eating cycle is usually carried out in secret, creating feelings of shame, guilt and lack of control.

Symptoms and signs of bulimia nervosa:

• Frequent thoughts about losing weight;
• Compulsive eating and eating in large quantities;
• Pain and inflammation in the throat;
• Compensatory methods;
• Gastric reflux.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) occurs when you lose control over the amount of food you eat, even when you are not hungry.

Unlike bulimia, binge eating episodes are not followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. Therefore, many people who suffer from this disorder are obese and have a higher risk of developing other health problems, such as cardiovascular disease.

Symptoms and signs of BED:

• Eat quickly;
• Constant desire to eat, even when not hungry.
• Feeling of lack of control when eating;
• Prefers to eat alone so as not to feel embarrassed;
• After eating, you feel depressed or guilty.

Orthorexia

Orthorexia is an exaggerated concern with eating only foods considered healthy, such as natural products. In this case, there is extreme care with the quality of the food and the amount of calories ingested. For this reason, people with this disorder tend not to eat out, which can lead to withdrawal from social life.

Symptoms and signs of orthorexia:

• Refusal of processed foods;
• Obsession with following a healthy diet;
• Excessive concern with the origin and preparation of food;
• Feelings of guilt and anxiety when eating something unhealthy;

Other eating disorders

In addition to anorexia, bulimia, BED and orthorexia are also classified as eating disorders:

• Pica Syndrome: characterized by the ingestion of substances not recognized as food, such as clay, mud, brick and soap.
• Vigorexia: obsession with the perfect body, leading to excessive physical exercise;
• Nocturnal Eating Disorder: compulsive eating at night;
• Gourmet Syndrome: a disorder in which there is an exaggerated concern with food preparation, from purchasing the ingredients to the way they will be served on the plate.

Multidisciplinary treatment for patients with eating disorders

Medical treatment for people with eating disorders is essential. It is important to emphasize that these are illnesses like any other. As such, these disorders significantly reduce the quality of life of patients and, in some cases, can even lead to death.

Treatment, in turn, is multidisciplinary. In other words, with professionals from different areas, with complementary qualifications and experiences. For these disorders, it is recommended to have follow-up with a psychiatrist, psychologist and nutritionist.

Initially, an individual clinical investigation of the patient is carried out, which varies according to the severity of the condition, the patient's history and how long the symptoms have been present. The role of a psychologist and nutritionist at this stage is essential, as they will be responsible for helping the patient to re-signify their relationship with their body and instruct them on a balanced diet.

Tips that can help you build a healthy relationship with food and your body

As we said, seeking specialized help is essential in cases of eating disorders. But, in addition, it is important to follow a self-care routine that helps transform your relationship with food and your body.

First of all, respect your body.

Try to pay attention to your body's requirements regarding the nutrients it needs. Our body needs proteins, fibers, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and minerals in balance to function fully. This is the secret to good nutrition .

Therefore, with the support of a psychologist and nutritionist, try to reframe the way you view food, consuming a little of each nutrient and respecting your body's needs.

Take time for yourself

Our busy routines often prevent us from taking time to take care of our physical and mental health. However, it is very important to set aside time to reflect, clear our minds of worries and exercise.

Try to establish a routine to enjoy some alone time. Do something that you enjoy and that helps you relax, such as yoga or meditation. This break is necessary to escape from automatic behaviors and give your mind a break.

Practice physical exercises

Exercising can help you create a more friendly relationship with your body, after all, you want to see it well and healthy.

Therefore, choose any physical activity that you enjoy and that helps not only with balancing your body weight, but also with your sense of well-being.

We hope that with these tips, you can change the way you deal with your body and your relationship with food. Although long and complex, this process is essential for the treatment and prevention of any type of eating disorder.

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