EMOTIONAL EATING ISSUES

Emotional Eating Issues are a concern for many people, women and men.  Ranging from over eating, not eating at all or binge eating and purging, to just eating enough to survive.  These issues have been more publicized about teen girls, young women and women in general vs. men, however, more men have come forward about eating issues throughout the years and it is a serious, potentially life threatening disorder for any involved.

Girls, Women, Boys and Men are surrounded by images growing up of magazine models, celebrities, mothers making statements about their own bodies, fathers making comments about women, girls talk with their friends about what types of bodies boys like, and sometimes a boy will tell a girl why he likes or dislikes her body, and the dislike talk from a boy, a guy or a man is the kiss of death of self esteem to that girl who may be on the cusp of her own self doubt and esteem. There are some girls who will not let a comment tear them down, however, there is a large number that will remember it and either live by it, become it, or become the opposite.  The list of negative messages we all here goes on and on.  Self Image is splashed in every ounce of marketing to every age group.

As a society I believe we have an obligation to ourselves, to our children, to our neighbors, to our parents, to our spouses, our siblings, our nieces and nephews and to the earth to live with as much respect as possible towards one another. Feeling worthy and respected and loved and having a healthy self esteem is hard to come by for some and those feelings of a lack of love affect their every bite or every purposeful starvation act.

Listen to those around you and recognize when someone really needs help for a eating disorder. A Food Disorder is really a symptom of pain much deeper.  The word Dis-Order speaks volumes to the chaos that one puts themselves through rationalizing or avoiding their "dis-order" on the inside, emotionally.  It is the longing in the human condition to want to feel loved, worthy and to think healthy thoughts about ourselves.  We owe it to ourselves to get help when needed and receive much needed help and much deserved care for our souls.

For more information about Food Related Disorders, go to the National Eating Disorders Organization.