Compulsive eating: statistics to make you think

Do you believe in statistics? If you do, you need to look at this.   

Studies clearly show that the number of eating disorders of various types is on the rise. In their recent estimates, the National Institute of mental Health in the US has recorded a 5-10 percent increase in the number of people suffering from these disorders. It is believed that 5-10 million women (including girls) and more than a million men (including boys) suffer from eating disorders. Also of interest is the fact that these problems are more popular in the developed countries of the West. 

Here are some of the detailed statistics related to compulsive eating.  

Ø      One in every 100 women in the US is a victim of compulsive eating. 

Ø      5-20% of all college-going women have eating disorders. 

Ø      One in three of all the dieters in the world develop compulsive eating disorders over the course of a few years. 

Ø      Americans are spending more than $150 million on products related to weight loss. Interestingly, most of these products have no medical backing and little to show by way of proven results.  

Interestingly, eating disorders transcend age barriers. It is as much evident in children below 10 (10% of eating disorders are seen in them) as it is in the 25+ age group (43% of eating disorders). Surveys also suggest that the number of women suffering from eating disorders like compulsive eating and anorexia is higher than the number of men. 

However, in this case, number crunching does not present a clear picture of the problem. We cannot make an evaluation of the eating problem in its entirety from the above statistics because many people suffering from these conditions are too embarrassed to come clean. On an average, most people who suffer from binge eating disorders wait for 8-10 years before they begin the process of change. Besides, since shame and guilt are associated with compulsive eating, more than half the people suffering from it do not get proper medical advice or treatment. So, the actual figures of sufferers could be quite shocking.  

Statistics suggest that many victims do not know much about their emotional eating disorders. Since the human mind is a complex mechanism that can easily camouflage its actual dilemmas, many people who suffer from eating disorders cannot understand the root cause of their problems. Without this vital information, they go from one diet to another, injuring their bodies physically and mentally. So, building awareness could be the only long term solution to the problem.  

Some of the warning signs of compulsive eating are: 

Ø      A sudden increase or decrease in weight. 

Ø      Development of secretive eating habits. 

Ø      Depression over body weight and figure. 

Ø      Stocking up on comfort foods. 

Ø      Intense concern over weight increase and body image.