OCR Text |
Show Obsessive Dieting Can Kill Yon Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Threaten Youths9 Lives by Carol Seiger Forum contributing writer As I walk down the aisle of a local department store, I see many consumer items that provide insight into todays society. Pills, books, tapes, womens magazines, all showing us directly or indirectly the value of thinness. Even kids toys when was the last timeyou saw Barbie with thighs? The pressure is on thin is in. Society has created a psychological disorder called anorexia nervosa. This disorder is characterized by a persons compulsive desire to lose weight. The victim often perceives herself as much heavier than she actually appears. It is a condition that is most commonly found among adolescent girls, although there have been documented cases in children as young as 7 years old. In a recent study of 250 schoolgirls, 80 percent of the ten and 11 year olds said they were dieting. Yet only 17 percent of all the girls were actually above their normal weight for age and height. Most anorexics are white and from upper-middl- e to upper class families. The major diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa are: onset prior to age 25; anorexia with accompanying weight loss of at least 25 percent of original body weight; a distortedattitude toward eating, hunger or food (often they have an intense preoccupation with food); noknown medical illness that could account for the weight loss and anorexia; and no other known psychiatric disorder. Anorexics feel fat even though they are not overweight. They tend to exercise excessively, and they may use laxatives, d diet pills, diuretics, andor vomiting (bulimia) as a means to control weight. As the disease progresses, malnutrition and starvation can occur; extremities grow cold, scalp hair thins, menstruation ceases, and a fine downy hair appears all over the body. Why do particular women get this disorder, and what predisposes them to anorexia nervosa? As with any psychiatric disorder, the answer to this question will always have some chronic low and an intense need to be perfect and admired by others. Depression is considered to be either a contributing cause or symptom. Many studies indicate that the disorder evolves out of a young womans perceived loss of control over her life. The victim comes to believe that eating and weight are the only factors in which she has control. This perceived loss of control could be situational or stem from an unresolved childhood conflict, but most likely is a combination of self-induce- self-estee- m both of these factors. If you suspect that you or someone you know has anorexia nervosa, the earlier you seek help, the better. Anorexia nervosa is a potentially disorder that can be overcome with proper support and counsel. Listed below are some resources in Utah that specialize in eating disorders: Wasatch Canyons Hospital 5770 South 1500 West Salt Lake City, UT 84123 (801) 262-61- 99 Utah Valley Regional Medical Center Provo, UT 84601 (801) 373-28- 00 Forum contributing writer Summer is almost here, and with it comes suntans and sunburns. Often, a sunburn is viewed as a minor inconvenience while trying to get a dark summer tan. But sunburn, as well as sun tanning, should be considered a serious health risk. The skin is the largest organ of the body. When the skin burns or tans during sun exposure, it is actually trying to protect itself from the suns rays. Tanning is the skins response to cellular injury. With cancer the second leading cause of death in the US, it is important to realize the long-tereffects that excessive sun can have on the skin. exposure Prolonged exposure to the sun causes premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. People exposed to excessive sunlight significantly increase their risk of sltin cancers, skin malignancies, and related skin problems such as vitiligo and actinic keratosis. Vitiligo is a condition in which the melanin of the skin becomes depigmented, leaving large blotches of light skin surrounded by darker skin. These patches of discoloration continue to slowly grow during the aging process. Actinic keratosis is m a sharply outlined growth on the skin that develops a wart-lik- e appearance, but is much larger and conti nues to grow as aging progresses. Malignant lesions can occur with excessive sun exposure, and especially if there is a history of frequent sun- burns or intense tanning. A malignant skin lesion is a growing cancer that invades surrounding skin and underlying tissue. The malignancy is often and becomes larger, deeper and can result in death. Prevention is the optimal solution to skin cancer and other related skin problems caused by excessive sun exposure. Use a number 15 sunscreen whenever you are outdoors for a long period of time, and g rapid-growin- i Jtm ir-- 5 1 it-- Ogden, UT 84401 (801) 627-28- 00 Primary Childrens Medical Center 100 North Medical Drive Salt Lake City, UT (801) 363-11- 21 Page 4 Forum A service of the Prevention Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services are expected to adopt the National Academy of Sciences Healthy Weight table below later this year. The new table is notable in several respects: - Weight recommendations height and age; gender is not a factor. Recommendations are based on health considerations, rather than appearance standards. - The upper weight cutoffs are much higher than those on other height and weight tables. However, these cutoffs are below the point where obesity is associated with additional risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and in the case of women, breast cancer. Western Institute of Neuropsychiatry Research Park Salt Lake City, UT (801) 583-25- 00 reapply as directed for that particular product. Wear a large floppy hat or visor to shade the face and neck areas from the sun. Stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the suns rays are the most intense. Be aware that at higher altitudes the atmosphere is thinner, thus more ultra violetraysare allowed through andbum- -' ing may occur more rapidly. Avoid tanning beds. Contrary to popular belief, they are not safe. They produce four times as much ultraviolet rays as the sun, and can do irreversible damage to the skin. Enjoy the outdoors, and the summer sun, but remember to protect your skin from the adverse effects caused by too much fall within the healthy" weight range for your height, you still may need to lose weight if you fail the hip-wai-st ratio test printed here. 1. Measure your waist and hips (widest point) with a tape measure. 2. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. (For a man with a 36" waist and 38" hips, the result is .95. For a woman with a 32" waist and 40" hips, the result is 0.8.) Men may have to lose weight if their ratio is 1.0orhigher;women,iftheirratiois .85 or higher. Healthy Weights (Men and women; without shoes mi mu- - M ijci s irci i ijvi Hiliil iiiil- - iUljil st the ratio test or are worried about your weight, plan to attend the Cuisine Fit for Life Luncheon Tues. April 9 at noon in Reherd Dining Room. Come learn how to prepare low-fa- t, menus that are easy and delicious. The cost is only $2.50 and you be the one to win the door might prize. We hope to see you there. For more information, contact Ginny low-calor- 1 amnjy thm" mirr?nM?M! imi or cbthing) sun exposure. If you failed 1 are based on - Even if you Diabetes Education Program to Be Held Diabetes and Pharmacy: Drug Interactions, Contraindications, and Over the Counter Medications will be the topic of a lecture given by Carol Hunter R.Ph. at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 1991, in the Cottonwood Hospital Wilkinson Center Auditorium. The meeting is open to the public at no cost. For further information, please call the American Diabetes Association in Salt Lake City at 363-30- 24. - -- Hospital Center McKay-D- ee If Youre Going to Cook Yourself, Baste with Number 15 Sunscreen! by Conra Weber Hebes To Your Health If iiiii ms iihjji iuuii hip-wai- ie Mead, prevention program coordinator, at 488-41- 44. April 9, 1991 Issue 22 |