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Yo, people talkin’ ’bout diets and weight loss like it’s the only thing that matters. But here’s the deal, sometimes folks can cross that line between wanting to lose excess fat and having an eating disorder. If you think you or someone you know may have a problem, listen up.

Signs of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating

Listen, most of us have tried to lose a few pounds at some point. Ain’t no big deal to want to look and feel your best. But for some folks, it becomes an unhealthy obsession. Here’s a little quiz to see if your dieting has gone too far:

1. If you’re a woman or girl, are your periods irregular or have they stopped? If you’re a man or boy, has your sex drive gone down?

2. Do other people have concerns about your eating habits?

3. Do you enjoy cooking for others but not eating the food yourself?

4. Are you not honest about when and what you eat?

5. Do you believe that if you lost weight, you’d finally be happy?

6. Have you ever stolen laxatives or diet pills to support your weight loss goals?

7. Do you binge eat?

8. Do you hide food around the house?

9. Have your eating habits negatively impacted your relationships with friends and family?

10. Do you get angry or upset when someone interrupts you while you’re eating?

The more you agree with, the more likely it is that you have an eating disorder. Check out the Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders (ANRED) website for more symptoms.

Typical Ages of Onset

Although anyone can develop an eating disorder at any age, there are certain ages when folks are more likely to start struggling:

• Anorexia Nervosa – generally starts in early to mid-adolescence

• Bulimia Nervosa – generally starts in the late teens or early 20s

• Binge Eating – can start at any age, but is often not recognized until adulthood

Who is At Risk?

Listen up, 95% of all eating disorders affect women and girls. But that don’t mean men and boys can’t be affected too. Don’t overlook signs of an eating disorder in males – it’s a serious and life-threatening problem for anyone.

Where to Get Help

• Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorder (ANRED): (541) 344-1444, anred.com

• Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention (EDAP): (206) 382-3587, members.aol.com/edapinc

• International Association for Eating Disorders Professionals: (800) 800-8126

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Ihab Salloum