Eating disorders

Some people believe that foods high in fat or sugar might be addictive, thereby driving consumers to overeating and obesity. Does it mean that foods should be regarded in the same way as alcohol or cigarettes? Or is it that people confuse the terms “addiction”, “craving” and “eating disorders”?

At the recent Food in Action conference organised in conjunction with EUFIC, psychologist Dr Andrew Hill revealed a number of counter-intuitive findings about what makes adolescents obese. His findings shine an alternative light on the issue and offer insight into new approaches to tackle this problem.

A new type of eating disorder is emerging where people are becoming obsessed with eating to improve their health. According to the Swiss Food Association, this new wave of nutritional obsession, known as ‘Orthorexia’ or ‘Orthorexia nervosa’, from the Greek “orthos” meaning right and correct, and “orexis” meaning appetite, is reaching worrying proportions.

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia can threaten psychological well-being, physical health, and sometimes even life itself. In all cases, sufferers have a preoccupation with food, a distorted body image and eating behaviours that are out of control.

You are preparing for an important public speaking engagement; do you reach for the biscuit tin or go right off the whole idea of food? Stress affects people’s eating behaviour in different ways, read on to find out why.