An Unhealthy Obsession

by Mary J. Yerkes

March/April 2009

Ashley checked into Remuda Ranch, a residential treatment center for eating disorders, at 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing less than 60 pounds. "She was convinced anything she ate that wasn't free of toxins would make her sick," said her therapist. What began as a desire for pure, organic foods grew into an obsession that robbed her of her health-and almost took her life.

Her problem? Orthorexia nervosa.

While not yet a medical diagnosis, orthorexia nervosa is gaining worldwide attention as new cases surface. Orthorexia is an obsession with healthy foods. Those who suffer from it spend hours in health foods stores reading labels and shopping for foods that are pure, organic, and free from contaminants.

In an effort to eliminate "bad" food from their diets, orthorexics take their quest to the extreme. What starts as a desire for improved health becomes a life-threatening disease. As this and other eating disorders garner press, youth leaders and parents need accurate information and practical help to meet the needs of affected teens under their care. While youth workers expertly address spiritual issues contributing to the disease process, few know what practical steps to take to help troubled teens.

Take for example a teen suffering with another emerging eating disorder-diabulimia. Those with this living disorder have type 1 diabetes. Teens with diabulimia intentionally withhold insulin so that sugars and carbohydrates pass through their urine, resulting in weight loss. One third of patients with diabulimia will die from the disease. The [U.S.] National Diabetes Education Program reveals that 15,000 new cases of type 1 diabetes are diagnosed in people under 20 every year. Any adult who knows a teen suffering with diabulimia should notify the teen's parents so that they can pursue medical attention. If parents believe their child could have diabulimia, they should take the teen to a physician for a hemoglobin A1C test, which will reveal long-term insulin under-dosing. The physician can advise them what steps to take from there.

Clinicians and those working with teens are also concerned about the rise in eating disorders among teenage boys. Once thought to account for just 10 percent of eating disorders, the number of young males with eating disorders has skyrocketed to 20 to 25 percent. Meet Jared, a 13-year old boy who suffers with anorexia.

"Anorexia is not very manly," says Jared as he describes his conflicts about having a "girl's problem." His father considers him an embarrassment and calls him names to "toughen him up," says Samuel S. Lample, who oversees Reddstone, a specialized treatment program for boys with eating disorders. Jared's mother wonders if her constant dieting and negative comments about her own body have contributed to his problem.

As with most eating disorders, family dynamics play a role in young men who develop the disease. "Just as a close connection with parents, siblings, and friends helps prevent eating disorders, chaotic, disengaged, or strained relationships with family can create a set-up for the illness," explains Lample.

Ashley and Jared both got the help they needed. They completed 60-day treatment programs and are practicing recovery behaviors.

The Breadth of the Problem Consider these shocking statistics from The Renfrew Center Foundation (RCF), a nonprofit organization working to advance the education and treatment of eating disorders:

• Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
• Up to 70 million people worldwide struggle with an eating disorder.
• Officials in Fiji reported a sudden increase in anorexia and bulimia with the arrival of television in their communities.
• The mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of all causes of death for females 15 to 24 years old.
• Eating disorders are higher among young women with type 1 diabetes than among young women in the general population.
• Ninety-five percent of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.

We need to remember that a truly biblical recovery program will address the whole person. God created us with a body, mind, and spirit. Recovery programs that yield the best results are those that address the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual components of the disease.

How to Help Parents and those who work with teens may not be equipped to address some aspects of the disease, but are equipped to encourage struggling teens and address key spiritual issues.

"Youth leaders are experts when it comes to discussing areas of shame, guilt, and grace," says Travis Stewart, a media relations specialist and former therapist at Remuda Ranch. "Eating disorders have to do with a sense of identity, beauty, and impact," he says. He advises parents and youth leaders to challenge unhealthy cultural norms and media messages and to teach teens how to influence the world as God intended.

He offers these additional tips for ensuring that teens get the medical help they need:

• Engage the teen in conversation.
• Understand that eating disorders are complex. Recovery is not just a matter of will power.
• Avoid shaming or attacking. Say something like, "Hey, I think I saw this happen and I'm concerned."
• Expect denial, which is a hallmark of eating disorders.
• Indicate your conviction that a professional should evaluate the situation. Say something like, "I think it would be good to talk with a counselor. Can I go with you to talk to your parents, or to your first appointment with a counselor?"
• Know what community and healthcare resources are available to help.
• Give students a chance to take appropriate steps themselves, but plan to step in if they won't. In the hardest situations, say something like, "If you don't talk to your parents by Monday, I will need to talk with them."

By following these guidelines, chances increase of helping a struggling teen. Still, the road to recovery is long.

Just ask Jenni Schaefer, an author and speaker who struggled with an eating disorder as a teen.

"When it comes to eating disorder recovery, we are talking about years-not months and definitely not weeks," says Jenni. "In order to overcome my eating disorder, I had to seek professional help from a therapist, dietitian, psychiatrist, and internist. I fell down a lot along the road to recovery."

She reflects, "I wish my youth leaders at church would have talked more openly about eating disorders, addictions, and other problems teenagers face."

A good reminder to all of us to stay educated about the issues in teens' lives and be proactive if we suspect an eating disorder in the life of a teen we know.

Mary J. Yerkes is an author and inspirational speaker who lives in Virginia.

 

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