Managing Eating Disorders

More than seven million women and one million men in the United States are affected with an eating disorder, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating, and compulsive exercise. Forty percent of third grade girls said that they were dieting to lose weight; among fifth graders, that figure climbs to an alarming 75%. Eating disorders also affect one in four college-age women, and 10% of adult women. "The Unofficial Guide to Managing Eating Disorders" covers the medical and the psychological angles, and readers learn here how to be proactive in identifying the problem and in finding out the methods that work for overcoming eating disorders in their families. Such information revealed includes: The different kinds of eating disorders illuminated and explained How to find and select a good treatment team: internist, nutritionist, and psychotherapist The lowdown on programs, therapies, and treatments The current antidepressants used to treat anorexia and bulimia analyzed How joining team sports can boost a girl's self-esteem and help combat eating disorders How not to substitute food for attention and how to balance nutrition and weight with a healthy body image How interaction, support, and encouragement from families and friends can play an important role in the success of the treatment program