Eating Disorder Awareness Thread

[hjgbujhghg]

*This thread might be a potential trigger*

I'm doing a research on how people understand eating disorders. Even though there has been a huge effort to teach the public about eating disorders, there still exist huge misconceptions about how it actually looks like in reality. I'll appriciate participation in this thread. Dob't be worried to answer, don't be worried of making a mistake while answering, I'm not going to judge you or give you grades. The more honest you will be with your answers the better my research will be.

I will start with a few questions on how you think EDs work and what are the symptoms. Simple true or false will do.

1. People with an eating disorders are underweight: T/F
2. People with an eating disorders don't eat: T/F
3. People with an eating disorders eat under 1000 calories a day: T/F
4. Eating disorder is a mental ilness that roots in an emotional trauma: T/F
5. If you have an eating disorder you would never eat in front of other people: T/F
6. People who suffer from an eating disorder expose their body in order to get attention: T/F
7. Binge eating is an eating disorder: T/F
8. You can be overweight/normal weight and have an eating disorder: T/F
9. BMI lower than 18 can suggest anorexia: T/F
10. All skiny or underweight people have an eating disorder: T/F

The other part of this research of awareness of BMI (Body Max Index) and its affect on health. If you don't feel like answering some of the questions, just leave them blank.

1. What do you think is an ideal BMI FOR YOU?
2. What is the highest BMI you have ever reached?
3. What is your lowest BMI?
4. What is your current BMI?
5. What BMI do you think is attractive when looking at other people?
6. What BMI would be ideal for you potential partner?

Last part of this is looking at pictures of people with different body shapes and weight. Try to answer honestly! Think about people in the pictures do they seem:
a) Overweight
b) Slightly chubby, but normal weight
c) normal weight
d) Slim, but healthy
e) Too slim, but probably still healthy
f) Too skiny, unhealthy but not enough to be considered anorexic
g) Probably anorexic
h) Definitely very unhealthly

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

*Sorry about the fact that it's only women in the pictures. It's pretty hard to find ones with men in it and their BMI. If someone finds somthing with men and their BMI feel free to post.

 

[Tilt]

[MENTION=18559]Fay[/MENTION]: I apologize for being so nitpicky, but here are my answers.

1. They can be.
2. F. Many use restricted diets, some overeat.
3. Sometimes. Many use restricted diets, others overeat.
4. Often, but not always.
5. It depends.
6. Sometimes, depends on the person, intention
7. T
8. T
9. T
10. F. Genetics and medical conditions can also play a part.

1. 16.8-18.8 (83-93 lbs at 4'11)
2. 20.6
3. 16
4. 18.
5. Depends on body type, amount of muscle (a good friend of mine is 6', 210 lbs, but has a low body fat percentage and a muscular build... His BMI would be considered overweight).
6. Depends on body type, amount of muscle

1-4. C
5. B
6. C
7. B
8. H

 

[magpie]

I will start with a few questions on how you think EDs work and what are the symptoms. Simple true or false will do.

1. People with an eating disorders are underweight: Depends on what type of eating disorder it is.
2. People with an eating disorders don't eat: Also depends on what type of eating disorder it is.
3. People with an eating disorders eat under 1000 calories a day: See above.
4. Eating disorder is a mental ilness that roots in an emotional trauma: True.
5. If you have an eating disorder you would never eat in front of other people: Depends on the individual.
6. People who suffer from an eating disorder expose their body in order to get attention: I would say this is often true.
7. Binge eating is an eating disorder: True.
8. You can be overweight/normal weight and have an eating disorder: True.
9. BMI lower than 18 can suggest anorexia: True.
10. All skiny or underweight people have an eating disorder: False.

The other part of this research of awareness of BMI (Body Max Index) and its affect on health. If you don't feel like answering some of the questions, just leave them blank.

1. What do you think is an ideal BMI FOR YOU? 19.7
2. What is the highest BMI you have ever reached? 22.2
3. What is your lowest BMI? 17.2
4. What is your current BMI? 17.2
5. What BMI do you think is attractive when looking at other people? I don't think there is any one BMI that's most attractive, especially considering BMI's failure to take into account muscle vs fat distribution.
6. What BMI would be ideal for you potential partner? I don't care.

 

[Agent Washington]

1. People with an eating disorders are underweight: F
2. People with an eating disorders don't eat: F
3. People with an eating disorders eat under 1000 calories a day: T
4. Eating disorder is a mental ilness that roots in an emotional trauma: T
5. If you have an eating disorder you would never eat in front of other people: F
6. People who suffer from an eating disorder expose their body in order to get attention: F
7. Binge eating is an eating disorder: T
8. You can be overweight/normal weight and have an eating disorder: T
9. BMI lower than 18 can suggest anorexia: T
10. All skiny or underweight people have an eating disorder: F

The other part of this research of awareness of BMI (Body Max Index) and its affect on health. If you don't feel like answering some of the questions, just leave them blank.

1. What do you think is an ideal BMI FOR YOU? ? a bit lower than what i currently have probably
2. What is the highest BMI you have ever reached? in the normal range
3. What is your lowest BMI? slightly underweight
4. What is your current BMI? in the normal range probably
5. What BMI do you think is attractive when looking at other people? depends, bmi doesnt include fat/muscle distribution
6. What BMI would be ideal for you potential partner? dunno. while i do like people for what they are, ive never really been attracted to anyone thicc, but like... ... the one thicc guy i dated was a pos so

 

[chickpea]

1. People with an eating disorders are underweight: false
2. People with an eating disorders don't eat: false
3. People with an eating disorders eat under 1000 calories a day: false
4. Eating disorder is a mental ilness that roots in an emotional trauma: mostly true, but i don't think there has to be an emotional trauma to trigger it?
5. If you have an eating disorder you would never eat in front of other people: false
6. People who suffer from an eating disorder expose their body in order to get attention: false
7. Binge eating is an eating disorder: true
8. You can be overweight/normal weight and have an eating disorder: true
9. BMI lower than 18 can suggest anorexia: not necessarily
10. All skiny or underweight people have an eating disorder: false

The other part of this research of awareness of BMI (Body Max Index) and its affect on health. If you don't feel like answering some of the questions, just leave them blank.

1. What do you think is an ideal BMI FOR YOU? in the normal range. i dont place a lot of value in BMI
2. What is the highest BMI you have ever reached? 22
3. What is your lowest BMI? 18
4. What is your current BMI? 21
5. What BMI do you think is attractive when looking at other people? don't care
6. What BMI would be ideal for you potential partner? normal range

1. slim, but healthy
2. normal weight
3. slim but healthy
4. too slim, but still healthy
5. normal
6. normal
7. normal
8. too skinny

 

[Hiraeth]

1. People with an eating disorders are underweight: Depends...so false
2. People with an eating disorders don't eat: True to an extent
3. People with an eating disorders eat under 1000 calories a day: Depends on the eating disorder...so false
4. Eating disorder is a mental ilness that roots in an emotional trauma: Uhhh...yes and no
5. If you have an eating disorder you would never eat in front of other people: False
6. People who suffer from an eating disorder expose their body in order to get attention: False
7. Binge eating is an eating disorder: True
8. You can be overweight/normal weight and have an eating disorder: True
9. BMI lower than 18 can suggest anorexia: Maybe, but it depends
10. All skiny or underweight people have an eating disorder: False

The other part of this research of awareness of BMI (Body Max Index) and its affect on health. If you don't feel like answering some of the questions, just leave them blank.

1. What do you think is an ideal BMI FOR YOU? 18-19
2. What is the highest BMI you have ever reached? 22
3. What is your lowest BMI? 16, but I was 13 at the time and had a growth spurt
4. What is your current BMI? 20
5. What BMI do you think is attractive when looking at other people? Low midrange
6. What BMI would be ideal for you potential partner? ?? Whatever slim is...

1. e) Too slim, but probably still healthy
2. c) normal weight
3. d) Slim, but healthy
4. d) Slim, but healthy
5. b) Slightly chubby, but normal weight
6. c) normal weight
7. c) normal weight
8. f) Too skinny, unhealthy but not enough to be considered anorexic

 

[hjgbujhghg]

Thanks for the participation so far, I'll write correct answers in spoiler so people who have already answered can check them out. If you haven't answered already and would like to, please do. The more people will participate, the better.

1. People with an eating disorders are underweight: T/F
2. People with an eating disorders don't eat: False
3. People with an eating disorders eat under 1000 calories a day: False
4. Eating disorder is a mental ilness that roots in an emotional trauma:Usually yes
5. If you have an eating disorder you would never eat in front of other people: False
6. People who suffer from an eating disorder expose their body in order to get attention: False
7. Binge eating is an eating disorder: True
8. You can be overweight/normal weight and have an eating disorder: True
9. BMI lower than 18 can suggest anorexia: False
10. All skiny or underweight people have an eating disorder: False

General awareness of the symptoms is quite good, but I honestly expected this result.

When it comes to the BMI part. Most people here seem to have healthy BMI, while I've seen some unhealthy goals, like BMI 16, which is very low.

Now to talk about BMI and eating disorders. BMI plays one of the key roles when diagnosing people with anorexia nervosa. It's not very useful when diagnosing other disorders, because people who have EDNOS, binge eating disorder, or bulimia ussually have different weights. It can be anything from underweight to obese.
BMI above 30 is obese
30-25 is overweight
25-18,5 is normal weight
18,5-17,5 - underweight, but does't clasify as anorexic
17,5-16 - underweight, moderate anorexia
16-15 - severe anorexia
15 - 14 - very severe anorexia
below 14 - extreme anorexia
BMI of 13,5 or lower leads to organ failure
BMI below 12 usually leads to death

The pictures:

1. BMI 18,1 - Underweight, but not anorexic yet.
2. BMI 22 -Normal
3. BMI 19 - Normal
4. BMI 16,1 - Underweight, moderate anorexia (just judging by BMI)
5. BMI 26 - slightly overweight
6. BMI 22,2 - Normal
7. BMI 24,5 - Normal, but close to overweight
8. BMI 15,2 - Underweight, severe anorexia (She confessed to be anorexic).

Now, what bothers me is that people generally have a good grasp on how an eating disorder can manifest. Awareness of the BMI is not bad either. But... Most people have a very foggy idea about how anorexia can actually look like. Usually when we see pictures of anorexic girls in the media, it's the extreme cases of BMI below 14. I understand why they chose these extremely skinny gilrs to show people how dangerous it can be, but it's not the only face of an eating disorder. Even people who do not look that sick can be very underweight and can suffer from a serious case of an eating disorder. Media just don't show it, because it's not extreme enough to get attention.
I've heard one girl saying: "I'm diagnosed with anorexia, but I feel like such a fraud, because my BMI is 16 and that's not that low." You have people all over the world with low BMIs who think they're not sick enough to seek help, because all that most people know as anorexic is the BMI below 14. It's pretty sad and that people who deserve help than feel like "frauds" when their BMI is not at an extreme point.

 

[Tilt]

[MENTION=11178]Faye[/MENTION]: is BMI the main indicator? I don't exactly trust that system.

 

[hjgbujhghg]

[MENTION=11178]Faye[/MENTION]: is BMI the main indicator? I don't exactly trust that system.

BMI can indicate anorexia, but not other disorders. EDNOS, bulimia, or binge eating disorder sufferers usually have different BMIs. It can be anything from underweight to obesity. When it comes to anorexia, one of diagnoses criteria is BMI below 17,5.

 

[Flâneuse]

I will start with a few questions on how you think EDs work and what are the symptoms. Simple true or false will do.

1. People with an eating disorders are underweight: F
2. People with an eating disorders don't eat: F
3. People with an eating disorders eat under 1000 calories a day: F
4. Eating disorder is a mental ilness that roots in an emotional trauma: T
5. If you have an eating disorder you would never eat in front of other people: F
6. People who suffer from an eating disorder expose their body in order to get attention: F
7. Binge eating is an eating disorder: T
8. You can be overweight/normal weight and have an eating disorder: T
9. BMI lower than 18 can suggest anorexia: T edit: I looked at the answers and saw I got this one wrong.
10. All skiny or underweight people have an eating disorder: F

The other part of this research of awareness of BMI (Body Max Index) and its affect on health. If you don't feel like answering some of the questions, just leave them blank.

1. What do you think is an ideal BMI FOR YOU? 19.5-20
2. What is the highest BMI you have ever reached? 25.5
3. What is your lowest BMI? 18.8
4. What is your current BMI? 19.4
5. What BMI do you think is attractive when looking at other people? slim to slim-ish (probably around 18-23), depending on the person’s build
6. What BMI would be ideal for you potential partner? healthy (around 18-25). overweight (but not obese) is less attractive to me but not a significant turn-off. I wouldn’t reject someone for being extremely skinny or obese, but I would find it a physical turn-off.

1. slim, but healthy
2. normal weight
3. slim, but healthy
4. too slim, but still healthy
5. slightly chubby, but normal weight
6. slim, but healthy
7. slightly chubby, but normal weight
8. probably anorexic