Eating Disorder Research

In many cases of eating disorder, the sufferer usually feels shame over his body image. The behaviour is one of avoidance and denial that he or she has an eating disorder. Sufferers of eating disorders tend to be not very confident people. They tend to be more negative and prefer to keep to themselves. They are also not very good at expressing themselves. Their ability to cope with stress and pressure are usually very poor. In many cases, eating disorder sufferers also come from families with a history of anorexia, bulimia or binge eating. Their parents also have very high expectations for them in their younger days.

Health researchers say that eating disorders and intuitive eating are at two ends of a spectrum. Intuitive eating simply means consuming the food that your body wants and eating to satisfy your hunger and not an emotional need. With intuitive eating, you stop eating before becomming overly full. It has been found that those with intutive eating habits tend to weigh less than women who follow restrictive diets. While intuitive eaters do not look like fashion models, they certainly look healthy. Intuitive eaters have also been found to come from family backgrounds that are supportive. They are positive and tend to cope with stressful situations better. Some experts therefore say that sufferers with eating disorders should not be told what not to do. Instead they should be taught good habits that lead to intuitive eating. Finally, this is something that can be further explored. I think there is some truth and benefits to helping sufferers of eating disorders this way. I am very much an intuitive eater myself. I also have some very disciplined ideas on eating. These ideas may just form the keys for the treatment of eating disorders.