Eating disorders getting younger, not better. | Daily Loaf

When it comes to eating disorders, the CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), Lynn Grefe, said there is more than meets the eye.

"It's not definitely not getting better," Grefe said. "It is getting younger and older. There is no doubt we've seen an increase in people under 12 years old. Also, more males are being affected today."

Starting yesterday, The National Eating Disorders Association hosts a three-day conference at The Vinoy in St. Petersburg. This year's theme is, "What about us? Diversity and complexity in Eating Disorders."

"The idea is to bring experts from all over the world to communities and family," Grefe said. "We want to get people information, resources, and support."

Grefe said that awareness of eating disorders is improving, which is why numbers for those affected are increasing.

"That means it is becoming better known," Grefe said. "People who previously thought they had bizarre behavior around food are realizing they need help."

Eating disorders affect 30 million people worldwide and more than 11 million Americans.

"It has the highest death rate of any mental illness," Grefe said. "No one should die from an eating disorder, but they're not getting diagnosed early enough. A ten year old isn't going to tell us they have an eating disorder."

She said eating disorders usually develop within people suffering from anxiety, depression, and/or obsessive compulsive disorder.

"Eating disorders rarely travel alone," Grefe said. "Something in their life triggers something and they think they are too fat. Some people have genetic traits that make them vulnerable to an eating disorder."

Public perception of beauty plays a big role in younger people developing eating disorders.

"Some parents are so worried about obesity and don't want their children to be fat. They stop serving cupcakes at birthday parties," Grefe said. "People are overreacting, one cupcake doesn't make someone obese but eating too many can be a problem. We don't want to make young people phobic about eating habits."

What Not to Wear host Stacy London recently came out about her own struggles with anorexia in her new book The Truth About Style. Listen to her NPR interview here.

"Most people can't imagine someone like Stacy London having an eating disorder, but eating disorders don't discriminate," Grefe said.

Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, over-exercising, and binge eating. Some people have a mix of all four. Grefe said there are clues for when someone isn't just trying to stay healthy.

"If it is consuming your thoughts, if every time you eat something you think about how you will get rid of the weight ... There are lots of clues," Grefe said.

Going to the bathroom after every meal, exercising to swap every calorie, and avoiding social situations with food are all clues of a possible eating disorder. The longer someone goes without treating a disorder, the greater the risk to their health said Grefe.

"This issue was held in the dark for a long time," Grefe said. "But people shouldn't be ashamed. If you possibly have one and do hide it, the longer it goes on, the more life threatening it becomes. People have died."

Grefe is originally from Dunedin and wanted to bring knowledge and awareness about the illnesses to her hometown.

"I want to take what I do to our area because there are people who need this information," Grefe said. "I know families down there that have become really strong from their experience."

If you or someone you know needs support or information about eating disorders, please call the NEDA's national hotline at 1-800-931-2237.

Source: http://cltampa.com/dailyloaf/archives/2012/10/12/the-national-eating-disorders-association-brings-its-conference-to-st-petersburg

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