The Skinny on Extreme Dieting and Eating Disorders

January 17th, 2011

Today’s weight loss plans range from the moderate to the downright fad diets. Some have even taken losing weight to extremes by not eating at all. Moderate dieting would include abstaining from certain food alternatives such as those that contain carbohydrates, fats, and protein. At a specific point in their lives, some people have been involved in fad weight loss regimen such as chicken soup diet, Scarsdale diet plan, and chicken soup diet. This also involves taking an excess of diet pills in order to lose unwanted weight.

extreme dieting

However, some people (girls, especially) are involved in extreme diet plans which often leads to eating disorders if left unchecked. Nutritionists and health care professionals often point to the media glamorizing stick-thin models and celebrities as a cause of eating disorders. There are several eating disorders, but the spotlight will be given to two of the most well-known eating disorders that have changed the way people, especially women, look at themselves.

One of the most common eating disorder is anorexia nervosa. Anorexics are people who are terrified at the prospect of gaining weight. Even when their frame is already too thin or when they have fallen well below what is considered healthy weight, they still think that they are fat.

Their weight loss plans often include crash diets, skipping meals, and adopting veganism. Some have even taken and abused laxatives and diet pills. An anorexic person is also involved in self-induced vomiting. During the past 30 years, a lot of people have died or have been hospitalized because of anorexia.

Another harmful eating disorder is bulimia nervosa. This disorder is characterized by abstaining from food intake after binging or eating a lot of food. Self-induced vomiting is involved in losing weight, as well as consumption of laxatives. Although, there are sub-types of bulimics: the non-purging types and purging types. The weight of bulimics often falls within the normal range, which is in contrast to anorexics that are often underweight. The late Princess Diana is probably the most famous victim of this eating disorder.

It is important to remember that going to extremes will not help in losing weight. This can lead to harmful weight loss plans that will endanger one’s health. The ultimate goal of weight loss is to gain a healthy body, not to look skinny. Diet pills, health supplements, and exercise should be done or taken in moderation for a healthier body.


Related posts:

  1. Extreme Diet Plans
  2. Forget Dieting, Start Living Healthier
  3. Losing Weight With the Help of a Dietitian
  4. Losing Weight: Diet Pills vs. Diet Plans
  5. Losing Weight the Smart Way
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