Eating disorders and their risk factors in contemporary populations

Overeating / Poor Eating Behavior

Your definition of health

Health refers to the level of metabolic and functional efficiency of living things. In human beings, health means the general condition of the mind of a person. This normally refers to being free from injury, pain, or illness. According to the World Health Organization, health is the state of complete mental, social, and physical well-being of a person and not the mere lack of infirmity or disease. However, this definition of health has drawn controversies. Critics argue that this definition of health lacks operational value and because it has used the term "complete" it remains to be a system of classification mostly used in measuring and defining health components (Carlat, 832).

How the consumer health behavior relates to the definition

Poor eating behaviors refer to abnormal eating habits that involve either excessive or insufficient intake of food that detriment the physical and mental health of a consumer. The most common eating disorders in the U.S. are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder whose features include the fear of the weight and binge eating. Initially, it was believed to be a disease affecting only women; however, researchers have established that the disorder is also affecting males, as well. They have estimated that 15% of people suffering from the disorder are men (Lucas 917). There is an increasing percentage of people with eating disorder all over the world among both women and men. Reports conducted by researchers indicate that women in the Western countries have shown the highest degree of suffering from the disorder. In addition, 50% of Americans have indicated to be aware of someone with an eating disorder. The major components of eating disorders include self-regulatory processes and motivational interactions (Busko 2007).

Poor eating disorders have been associated with medical situations and conditions. Cultural idealization of youthfulness and thinness are key contributors to poor eating habits that affect people. Studies indicate that females suffering from ADHD are the high risk of getting poor eating disorders than those who do not suffer from ADHD. Other researchers demonstrate that girls with PTSD arising from sexual abuse have a greater chance of developing anorexia nervosa (Biederman et al. 302). Further, studies demonstrate that foster girls have a greater chance of developing bulimia nervosa. However, idealized body types and peer pressure are significant factors contributing to poor eating habits. However, some researchers show that poor eating habits develop in some people due to generic related issues. While people suffering from poor eating disorder may require appropriate treatment, poor eating habits results in severe consequences that may lead to death. This can be from either indirect or direct such as medical impacts of disturbed eating behavior or suicidal thoughts (Cummins and Lehman 217).

Research the health problem of over eating / poor eating habits include information about factors surrounding the practice of positive health behaviors

According to the U.S. secretary of Health, poor eating disorders are the key causes of death among people. This has been worsened by lack of physical exercise and activity. In a report released by the Secretary of Human Services, consumers are taking in too darned fat. The report indicates that consumers are suffering from weighty problems arising from poor eating habits. The report demonstrates a steady rise in the percentage of adult with obesity. Further, it shows that in 2001, over 20% of adults in America were suffering from obesity (Patrick 186). In addition, 10 years later, researchers established that the problem was spreading to other states. The report shows unequivocal increase in surplus poundage throughout the nation while it reveals a surprising inverse link between customers' waistlines and their income. This means that the higher the income the lower rate of obesity. High obesity rates have been observed among consumers with low incomes (Lucas 919).

In a symposium done at the Harvard School, it was established that a high percentage of American were obese not because they prefer to be obese but because they cannot afford to become thin. Further, the symposium established that the economics of producing food have heavily favored cheap foodstuffs that contain high calories. In this regards, added sugars, added fats, and refined grains have been reported to be the cheapest elements of consumers' diet (Biederman et al. 303). Those commodities that are not appreciated by consumers seem to be the cheapest. Sugars, fats, and refined grains are the greatest contributors to high calories in the diets of consumers. This is because they contribute the highest degree of calories in the diets. The early man considered excess intake of poundage to be a sign of success or prosperity. For example, people who lived in early years associated voracious eating with fame. They believed in packing dozens of food such as oysters for appetizer. Dozens of steaks, which were eaten at once, followed this (Cummins and Lehman 220).

What helps?

Different researchers have focused their efforts towards establishing factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle change and effective tools for clinicians. These tools are aimed at counseling patients on how they can adopt appropriate eating behavior. An emerging problem is that consumers are motivated by a sense of fear, regret, and guilt. Experts in researching behavior argue that a long lasting change is likely to occur when the change is self-motivated and based in positive thinking. A report released by a British Research company confirms that strategies that arouse regret and fear have been the least successful in embracing change (Biederman et al. 304).

Previous studies indicate that it is easy to reach defined goals than general ones. Setting too many goals is likely to limits divide concentration while working towards the goals. Another problem is that having a goal is not enough. Consumers are required to set goals and work towards achieving those goals. For example, if a person has a goal of sticking to a diet with low calorie, the persona must have a plan for meeting his or her hunger needs. This includes chewing sugarless gum, keeping a cup of tea or a bottle of water nearby. Researchers have also developed models of helping consumers account for failure or success. This provides explanations on the need to embrace healthy eating habits takes so long. Any efforts made by consumers in the right direction is worthy even if the consumer encounters setbacks or finds himself or herself backsliding frequently (Carlat 836).

Change is a process, not an event

Researchers have developed different behavior change models; however, the most effective behavior change has been the trans-theoretical model (TTM). Alcoholism researchers developed this model. The model presumes that a consumer is in one phase of change at any given time. This model entails Maintenance, action, maintenance, preparation or pre-contemplation (Patrick 189). The concept is that consumers have to shift from one stage to the next. The stages prepare them to move to the next ones sequentially. This suggests that if consumers hurry through or if they skip stages they are likely to experience setbacks. In addition, different stages apply different strategies. For instance, a person who is addicted to smoking and is at the pre-contemplation stage: this means that the person is not even thinking of quitting the habit. Probably, such a person is always not ready to consider making a list of alternatives (Lucas 920).

This model has been successful in areas such as drug abuse, smoking, and alcohol. However, the model has been applied in changing health behaviors such as dieting and exercising. Health experts and clinicians have successfully used this model in counseling patients. However, this model cannot be used with health experts alone and anyone can try this model. Any consumer who is motivated to change his or her eating behavior needs to assess the situation and formulates strategies. In this section, I would recommend the TTM stages of change as well as ideas on how consumers can move through changing poor eating habits (Snooks 18).

Pre-contemplation: this is the stage where the consumers do not have any conscious attention that he or she needs a change. At this stage, the consumers believe that having poor eating habits is genetic in their family. Some may not have conscious because they might have tried in the past but failed and this might have demoralized them. Such consumers tend to avoid thinking, talking, or reading about healthy eating behavior. However, their interest and awareness may be noted by influence form other people such as emotional experiences, concerns from family members, illness, moving past pre-contemplation and the desire to live healthy until old age (Thompson and Manore 16).

Contemplation: in the studies and programs that use TTM, consumers who admit that they would like to change over a given period are categorized as contemplators. Consumer often spends too much time vacillating. At this phase, the consumer is aware that the eating behavior is not appropriate, and change is inevitable. At this stage, the consumer is still not committed to taking any action (Gurung 44). Because of ambivalence, the consumer may weigh and reweigh the costs and benefits associated with the change. Health clinicians have developed appropriate strategies of helping consumers unstuck themselves and move on to the next stage. This includes making a list of pros and cons or embracing the change. The consumers must examine the disadvantages and brainstorm how he or she can overcome them. For example, for most women, regular physical exercising is a bit in convincing and they have too little time for exercise. If this is a problem, then the consumer may separate it into small portions of time such as three sessions each taking 101 minutes. If this is impossible, then the consumer can purchase an exercise tape so that he or she can use it to exercise at home during free time (Patrick 190).

Preparation: at this phase, the consumer is aware that change is mandatory. The consumer believes that he or she can change and makes plans of changing soon. This includes joining a health club, adding calorie, or purchasing nicotine patches. At this stage, the consumer must anticipate potential setbacks. If the consumer is planning to cut down on calories, the consumer must be aware of situations that are likely to provoke unhealthy eating habits and make plans around them. If the workload is the cause of the poor eating habits, the consumer may plan his work so that by the time other people are taking their meals, he or she will also be able to take a meal. Similarly, the consumer should make a list of a realistic plan of action with realistic goals that can be achieved. If the consumer has desired to exercise more or if he has been sedentary, the consumer should begin by making his or her goal and avoid excuses. This can be effective in making a consumer work towards achieving ambitious goals (Patrick 193).

Action: at this phase, the consumer will have changed and adopted healthy eating habits. For example, this involves preparing to take an action. The consumer begins to experience the challenges of life in the context of the new behavior. It is necessary for the consumer to practice the alternatives he or she identified during the planning period. For example, if stress exerts pressure that makes the consumer to eat, healthy coping approaches can be used. Such strategies include deep breathing, exercise, or yoga. At this phase, it is vital for the consumer to be clear about the motivation. The consumer can write down the reasons why he or she is making such a change and read them regularly (Carlat 837).

Maintenance: after the consumer has practiced the new behavior for at least three months, he or she has entered the maintenance stage. At this stage, the consumer is working towards integrating the change in his or her life. This may need other changes that may trigger associations with the old eating habits. This can be tough as the consumer is focused on assimilating the new healthier eating behavior (Cummins and Lehman 224).

Work Cited

Biederman, J et al. Are girls with ADHD at risk for eating disorders? Results from a controlled, five-year prospective study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2007 Aug;28(4):302-7.

Busko, Marlene. Girls With ADHD Are at Increased Risk for Eating Disorders and Depression.

Nov 08, 2007. Medscape News Today. Web.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/565526

Carlat DJ and Camargo CA. Review of bulimia nervosa in males. The American Journal of Psychiatry 1991, 148 (7): 831 -- 43.

Cummins, L. And Lehman, J. Eating Disorders and Body Image Concerns in Asian-American

Women: Assessment and Treatment from a Multi-Cultural and Feminist Perspective.

Eating Disorders. Eat Disorder. 2007 May-Jun;15(3): 217-30.

Gurung, Regan. Health Psychology: A Cultural Approach. New York, NY: Cengage Learning,

2009. Print

Lucas, Beard and O'Fallon, Kurland. 50-Year Trends in the Incidence of Anorexia Nervosa in Rochester, MI: A Population-Based Study. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 1991,

148 (7): 917-22

Patrick, L. Eating disorders: a review of the literature with emphasis on medical complications and clinical nutrition. Alternative medicine review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic,

2002, 7 (3): 184-202

Snooks Margaret. Health Psychology: Biological, Psychological, and Sociocultural

Perspectives: Biological, Psychological, and Sociocultural Perspectives. New York, NY:

Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2009. Print

Thompson, Janice and Manore, Melinda. Sport Nutrition for Health and Performance.

California: Human Kinetics. 2009. Print