The audio version of It Started With Pop-Tarts...An Alternative Approach to Winning the Battle of Bulimia is now available! Listen as I tell my story personally. This recording has the usual dose of "Lori" energy, intensity and entertainment. It also includes snippets of the music behind the lyrics I wrote as part of my healing process. (Yes, that's really me singing!)
This is a great way to learn about a powerful, alternative approach to winning the battle of eating disorders. My approach includes acupuncture, several forms of body work, meditation, nutrition and supplements, creativity and working with the sub-conscious to improve self-esteem and change negative thoughts and beliefs. It offers hope, inspiration and direction to those who at "are at risk" and individuals who are submerged in this chronic cycle of abuse.
For parents and loved ones, it provides a candid look into the depths of obsession a person suffering with an eating disorder is experiencing.
This MP3 version was prepared especially for those who don't have time to read, don't like to read or just plain prefer listening through their iPods.
It Started With Pop-Tarts... goes beyond eating disorders it's packed with great information about chemical imbalances that cause cravings and binges, and provides great strategies for creating a healthier lifestyle if you're struggling with your weight or unhealthy habits.
Get your copy now, only $9.95!
http://www.lori-hanson.com/index.php?page_id=285
For those who prefer to purchase the CD Audio Book it will be available later this month, both on my website and Amazon.
In peace, balance and health,
Lori Hanson
Showing posts with label children's eating disorders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children's eating disorders. Show all posts
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Do You Have Control Issues With Eating?
For some it's chocolate, others cakes and candy, for another it's that late night eating they can't resist that kills their resolve and figure. It can start at any age. As young children our diets are controlled by what our parents feed us. Some kids get too much sugar and in other households its a hallowed and infrequent treat--it's a controlled commodity.
For some people the food awareness doesn't kick in until teen or college years. But at some point many of us learn behaviors to "control" the food intake. Many others "try" to control it and have issues doing so. They end up overweight and obese.
I recently heard the story of a women whose mother put her on a diet when she was just five years old! Early priming for food issues.
Why then do some people end up with eating disorders and others just gain weight? Then there are those "normal" size people who look great but survive on a diet of junk food. Eating disorders evolve as a result of a number of factors. Having an eating disorder is vastly different from being 100 pounds overweight. Both individuals have issues with food. Both individuals are using food and their behavior to avoid dealing with issues in life. Or else they wouldn't have a "weight problem". With an eating disorder there is a significant distortion of body image from reality.
Eating disorders typically appear in adolescent or young adult girls. However some women develop eating disorders later in life. Women aren't alone, an estimated one million men also suffer from eating disorders. An eating disorder is identified by extremes. An obsession with body and weight, eating very little or eating extreme amounts. In addition many people with eating disorders usually follow rituals or patterns to control their food intake.
The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A third type is called eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) which includes variations of other eating disorders but with different characteristics.
Some typical contributors to eating disorders include issues with:
For some people the food awareness doesn't kick in until teen or college years. But at some point many of us learn behaviors to "control" the food intake. Many others "try" to control it and have issues doing so. They end up overweight and obese.
I recently heard the story of a women whose mother put her on a diet when she was just five years old! Early priming for food issues.
Why then do some people end up with eating disorders and others just gain weight? Then there are those "normal" size people who look great but survive on a diet of junk food. Eating disorders evolve as a result of a number of factors. Having an eating disorder is vastly different from being 100 pounds overweight. Both individuals have issues with food. Both individuals are using food and their behavior to avoid dealing with issues in life. Or else they wouldn't have a "weight problem". With an eating disorder there is a significant distortion of body image from reality.
Eating disorders typically appear in adolescent or young adult girls. However some women develop eating disorders later in life. Women aren't alone, an estimated one million men also suffer from eating disorders. An eating disorder is identified by extremes. An obsession with body and weight, eating very little or eating extreme amounts. In addition many people with eating disorders usually follow rituals or patterns to control their food intake.
The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A third type is called eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) which includes variations of other eating disorders but with different characteristics.
Some typical contributors to eating disorders include issues with:
- Low self-esteem and self-worth
- Family relationships
- Control
- Abusive relationships
- Sexual abuse
- Chemical imbalances
Many times young girls who begin the behaviors of anorexia or bulimia don't realize how dangerous their habits can become. Or that they can be life threatening. The physical problems that result from continued eating disorder behaviors can be devasting. A few of the complications include:
- Cardiovascular and neurological complication
- Impaired physical development
- Brittle hair and nails
- Cardiac arrest
- Electrolyte and fluid imbalances
- Chronically inflammed neck and throat
- Worn tooth enamel and sensitive teeth from throwing up and stomach acid
- Intestinal distress such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) from laxative abuse
- Burned out adrenal glands
- Poor brain/mood function
Treatment for eating disorders must address psychological issues in addition to restoring normal weight and eliminating self-defeating behaviors and thoughts. Many individuals with eating disorders are in and out of treatment for long periods of time and costs can range from $10,000 per month to $100,000 or more per year. Insurance coverage for eating disorders many times falls short of the individual needs.
Alternative treatments are evolving. Many clinics now have a mind, body, spirit approach to their treatment. Alternative treatments can cost far less than traditional treatment programs. Through yoga, meditation and body work individuals improve self-esteem, release destructive habits and patterns, embrace their bodies and return to a normal healthy lifestyle.
For more information visit http://www.ItStartedWithPop-Tarts.com/.
In peace, balance and health!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
No Quick Fix for Children's Eating Disorders
The numbers of young children getting trapped into eating disorders are on the rise. I'm seeing regular articles both in the U.S. and abroad that are commenting on the growing phenomenon. I was 14 when mine started, pretty typical. Now kids as young as eight are obsessing about their weight! There are two sides to the story.
In the past 10-15 years the rise in obesity in young children has grown significantly. Richard Simmons has gone all the way to congress with his FIT Kids bill to preserve PE classes and get kids moving again. With all the introduction of technology (and increase in crime) kids lifestyles have changed, they aren't outside playing anymore. They aren't getting exercise. They are developing poor habits from a very early age which will haunt them their entire life. Being overweight as a young child has a strong negative impact on self-esteem which will affect each child's ability to be confident and successful in life.
On the flip side you have the kids who are absorbing all they see in the media, skinny models, skinny actors and musicians. Everything that's put in front of them on the TV, billboards and magazines portrays the picture of what they’re supposed to look like - thin and gorgeous. Here, nothing has changed except now children are taking it on. So a young child begins to control their food intake as a way to achieve the “the perfect look”. Different approach, same result - this obsession leads to poor self esteem and lack of confidence which will impact their future.
In many ways the person that's overweight and one with an eating disorder aren't so different. Both experience lack of confidence and hatred for themselves and their bodies. Both have low self-worth.
An eating disorder can have numerous contributing factors including pressures of society, troubled family and personal relationships, sexual abuse, feeling inadequate, anxious, depressed or lonely. The rituals practiced with an eating disorder give the individual a coping mechanism to avoid expressing emotions and a feeling of being in control.
Lifestyle and the family unit have changed significantly. We all well know about the increase in divorce, dual income families, super mom, soccer mom, overachiever kids, deadbeat dads and the impact this has had on the Beaver Cleaver days. But this also has a direct affect on the development of childhood obesity and now childhood eating disorders.
Young children need to understand the severity of what an eating disorder can do to their lives. If food is restricted during a child's growth phase they are at risk of stunting their growth, developing weak bones and shrinking their brains.* Many high school age kids aren't even aware that the new rituals they are following can result in death.
Awareness, prevention and early detection are critical. The earlier these symptoms are identified in young children the better chance they have of growing up with confidence, prepared for a life filled with health, happiness and balance.
For more information, visit my website http://www.lori-hanson.com/.
In peace and health!
*About Eating Disorders, Gantdaily.com, 8/23/08
In the past 10-15 years the rise in obesity in young children has grown significantly. Richard Simmons has gone all the way to congress with his FIT Kids bill to preserve PE classes and get kids moving again. With all the introduction of technology (and increase in crime) kids lifestyles have changed, they aren't outside playing anymore. They aren't getting exercise. They are developing poor habits from a very early age which will haunt them their entire life. Being overweight as a young child has a strong negative impact on self-esteem which will affect each child's ability to be confident and successful in life.
On the flip side you have the kids who are absorbing all they see in the media, skinny models, skinny actors and musicians. Everything that's put in front of them on the TV, billboards and magazines portrays the picture of what they’re supposed to look like - thin and gorgeous. Here, nothing has changed except now children are taking it on. So a young child begins to control their food intake as a way to achieve the “the perfect look”. Different approach, same result - this obsession leads to poor self esteem and lack of confidence which will impact their future.
In many ways the person that's overweight and one with an eating disorder aren't so different. Both experience lack of confidence and hatred for themselves and their bodies. Both have low self-worth.
An eating disorder can have numerous contributing factors including pressures of society, troubled family and personal relationships, sexual abuse, feeling inadequate, anxious, depressed or lonely. The rituals practiced with an eating disorder give the individual a coping mechanism to avoid expressing emotions and a feeling of being in control.
Lifestyle and the family unit have changed significantly. We all well know about the increase in divorce, dual income families, super mom, soccer mom, overachiever kids, deadbeat dads and the impact this has had on the Beaver Cleaver days. But this also has a direct affect on the development of childhood obesity and now childhood eating disorders.
Young children need to understand the severity of what an eating disorder can do to their lives. If food is restricted during a child's growth phase they are at risk of stunting their growth, developing weak bones and shrinking their brains.* Many high school age kids aren't even aware that the new rituals they are following can result in death.
Awareness, prevention and early detection are critical. The earlier these symptoms are identified in young children the better chance they have of growing up with confidence, prepared for a life filled with health, happiness and balance.
For more information, visit my website http://www.lori-hanson.com/.
In peace and health!
*About Eating Disorders, Gantdaily.com, 8/23/08
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
