The use of the word diet in this instance is highly misleading; I much prefer the word “trend”. This habit is very unhealthy, much more along the lines of an eating disorder or disordered eating behavior.
What is an Eating Disorder vs. Disordered Eating?
Here are three other trends that you may not know about eating disorders and disordered eating:
Eating disorders, about food and drink: Although the term “eating disorder” readily calls to mind food, it can involve fluid and water restriction too. We know, of course, that water does not contain calories, but if you drink a pint of water, and then weigh yourself, the scale will read a higher number...temporarily. Because many individuals with eating disorders become weight (number on the scale) obsessed, it is psychologically disturbing to see the scale increase after drinking fluids. So, unfortunately, some people do not drink at all or seriously limit fluid intake. This can be very dangerous, leading to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and other serious medical complications.
Still, others may maintain food restriction by replacing all food with water. Drinking fluids can artificially simulate a “full” stomach sensation. Drinking too many fluids can also come with its own medical risks though, including something called water intoxication (hyponatremia), which can negatively impact electrolytes and be as medically dangerous as restricting fluids.
How to Help: Even if your loved one is being treated for an eating disorder, do not assume that the medical or psychological professional has asked about fluids. Even very competent professionals sometimes neglect this important detail. Share your observations and information with a medical professional, or encourage your loved one to do so. Many professionals will ask patients to keep a “food log” to track intake, so ask that liquids also be included. If your loved one is not actively in treatment, make an urgent appointment and share concerns about fluids and food with the family doctor.
The ‘thigh gap’ trend: Like the cotton ball diet, “thigh gap” is a term trending on YouTube and Twitter after Lululemon chairman, Chip Wilson, stuck his foot in his mouth, claiming that his yoga pants are not fitting for women of all sizes. For many women, even those without eating disorders, it is becoming more common to casually compare physical attributes, like whether or not you have a thigh gap.
Many of these unhealthy conversations used to be quarantined to the realm of models; however, with rampant social media and the age of the “selfie,” body image is increasingly discussed as part of the new baseline “appropriate” conversation. This can, of course, be triggering for those who may have a low self-esteem or who lack self-confidence already. If your loved one has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, things like the “thigh gap” can be used as further inappropriate justification for continued eating disordered behaviors: many feel they are not “thin enough” unless they attain the unrealistic and sometimes unattainable thigh gap.
How to help: Educate yourself about what the new issues are. If you need help with this, check out the cover of the most recent teen or women’s magazine for ideas on what to look up. If you hear people talking about things like “the thigh gap,” be ready to challenge them with appropriate, healthy counterpoints. Think about a variety of people, not just celebs, with a variety of body shapes; use them as anchors for positive, healthy examples. And then, change the conversation to something more substantive and meaningful that can be healthy and productive.
A recent CNN article has brought eating disorders while pregnant into the forefront of discussion. Although this is a very rare condition, it can happen. Pregorexia is when a pregnant woman under eats, or over exercises, sometimes against medical advice, because she feels driven to either lose weight or reduce the likelihood of weight gain. There is no “official” clinical diagnosis for eating disordered behavior while pregnant, but the condition has been coined “pregorexia” in the popular media. According to the Mayo Clinic, women are more likely to have this condition if they have previously been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Of course, the medical implications for both mother and baby can be sobering.
How to help: Now that this condition is being increasingly talked about, perhaps women will feel more comfortable discussing it with their doctors. Make sure that the conversation about what is healthy weight gain during pregnancy is ongoing with your doctor; seek support from mental health professionals, especially if you or your loved one has a history of body image concerns or a past eating disorder. Although it is hard to escape, try to resist looking to celebs (with their adorable haven’t’-gained-an-ounce body, or, their inhuman post-baby physique) as an expectation that that is not the ‘norm.’
If you or a loved one is struggling with eating disorders or disordered eating, get help from a medical or psychological professional. Note: many individuals who qualify for an eating disorder diagnosis should seek out a team of professionals who can coordinate services and provide for their best care. These teams can include a physician (either a primary care doctor, or a psychiatrist, or both); a psychologist, or mental health care provider who has training and experience treating eating disorders; a nutritionist; and, usually the patient’s family.
Remember, even if these above eating issues are trending, be a trend setter yourself, and don’t fall for them! Eating cotton balls isn’t attractive, I promise! Being healthy and taking care of yourself appropriately is!