Obesity!

Fast food has become a very popular meal among children and teenagers today, due to it both being fast and cheap. As a result, the obesity rate in teenagers and children is increasing significantly. But fast food isn't the only thing leading to obesity, a lack of exercise is also. Since technology is such a big thing now, teens spend more time on the computer, playing x-box and PlayStation and watching t.v.
* In the span of forty years, childhood and teenage obesity has multiplied by four times!*

Recent studies indicate that childhood obesity can affect children physically and psychologically. Obese children may suffer from diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea.
Some obese children could have feelings of low self-esteem and social discrimination. These feelings could be due to loneliness and teasing from others. The issue of increase in obesity among children and teenagers should be taken seriously due to the health related effects. The childhood obesity statistics indicate that the problem is not only in the United States but, in many other countries as well.

** What are your view points on obesity, and how do you think it can be avoided?

Binge Eating

Binge eating is when people chose to eat an excessive amount of food in an extremely short period of time. Many people think binge eating is the same thing as bulimia but it isn't. Binge eating deals with people don't vomit or try other ways to get rid of calories. But they might try to limit how much food they eat between binges. Some people who binge have a normal weight, but over time, many people who have binge eating disorder gain weight and have problems from being obese. People with binge eating disorder also have depression, anxiety or other emotional problems.

*Having an eating disorder is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw like people think. And it is not something you can overcome with just willpower. Many people struggle with eating disorders for a long time. Have you known someone or heard about someone who has been involved in binge eating or any other eating disorders? If so, is it hard for you to understand why they do that?

Anorexia Myths

There are many misconceptions about people who are anorexic, and these are the top ten myths:

#1: Myth: “Individuals with anorexia are just trying to get attention.”

#2: Myth: “Anorexia is about vanity. If a person with anorexia says, ‘I feel fat,’ it is just to get compliments.”

#3: Myth: “People choose to have anorexia.”

#4: Myth: “Eating Disorders are primarily about food and weight.”

#5: Myth: “Anorexia is a rich, young, white girls’ problem.”

#6: Myth: “People with anorexia do not engage in binge eating.”

#7: Myth: “A person cannot have anorexia if they eat three meals a day.”

#8: Myth: “You cannot die from anorexia if you exercise to keep your heart and body strong.”

#9: Myth: “Anorexia is all about control.”

#10: Myth: “Anorexia is just a phase.”

*What do you think about these myths, do you think they are true? And have you ever heard anyone around you say one of these myths?

Bulimia

Bulimia is an eating disorder that a great amount of people are taking part in. People who are bulimic go on purging episodes where they eat large quantities of food in a short period of time. Then they will use behaviors such as taking laxatives or vomiting. This is due to the fact that they feel overwhelmed in handling with emotions, or in order to punish themselves for something they feel they should unrealistically blame themselves for. This can be caused because the way people feel about themselves, or how they feel over an event or series of events in their lives. People who are bulimic put themselves through all of this to avoid and let out anger, depression, stress or anxiety.

Some signs of bulimia include:

• episodes of rapid food consumption followed by guilt and purging
  
• feeling of lacking control over eating behaviors
  
• regularly engaging in diet plans and exercise

** Do you think media plays a big role in people being bulimic?