Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Summertime Brings Anxieties to Those With Eating Disorders

The summer weather leads many people to dress for hot temperature and high humidity days. While most people have a certain amount of distress about their appearance in shorts, T-shirts and bathing suits, it's especially troubling for those who suffer from eating disorders.

Young women, especially, are affected during this time of year. They feel the pressure to look a certain way, especially during the summer months as the social pressure for thinness increases while bathing suits and new summer designs become increasingly impossible to look good in.

In the United States it is estimated that 5-to-10 million females and 1 million males suffer from anorexia and bulimia nervosa. In addition, 35 million suffer from binge eating disorder. (From the National Eating Disorders Association) Eating disorders include: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorders. Those who have anorexia starve themselves to be thinner. Persons with Bulimia Nervosa eat large quantities of food, more than what others would eat in the same time period, then purge, so they can avoid weight gain. Those who suffer from binge eating disorder uncontrollably consume large quantities of food during a specific time frame, but do not purge.

During the summer months people tend to engage in and dress for activities that put an emphasis on a person's appearance - for example swimming. Men and women with an eating disorder have low self esteem so the negative behaviors, like starving oneself to be thinner, become more prevalent. Up to 90% of those who experience anorexia and bulimia are female, but binge eating disorder is both more common within the community and experienced by a larger portion of males. The cultural relentless pressure to be thin in order to define success creates the stage for women of all ages to turn to eating disorders to cope.

Parents can help their son or daughter who may be struggling with an eating disorder by tuning into the warning signs of the illness. Behavioral signs of eating disorders are:

skipping or avoiding meals on a regular basis,
making excuses to not eat, or
making frequent trips to the bathroom directly after meals.

A negative self-image can also be a precursor for a potential problem with an eating disorder. Does your son or daughter see him/herself as overweight when they are a normal size or are very thin? People with Anorexia Nervosa continue to think they are overweight when they are actually too thin, so it's very important to listen to your children and what they are saying about themselves.

As a parent, it's important to make and maintain positive, healthy attitudes and behaviors when it comes to body image. Your child's self worth should not solely depend on physical appearances. Focus on your child's talents and abilities and affirm their accomplishments. Don't place an emphasis on body shape and size, even in a joking fashion.

It's estimated that 50,000 individuals will die each year as a direct result of an eating disorder.

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Last Reviewed: Mar 02, 2007

Laura Hill, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University