What is the link between atheletes/models/etc and binge-eating disorders?

Q. I read somewhere that atheletes and models- or any other professionals whose bodies are on "public display on a frequent basis"- notably struggle with binge-eating disorders where they rapidly and excessively consume foods at certain periods of time, usually due to depression, anxiety, boredom, etc.

It seems sort of odd to me that this is the case, considering atheletes and models are usually very slender.

What do you guys think are some of the links?

A. You are asking about two very different groups of people.

When it comes to elite level athletes, yes, there are certain sports where eating disorders are a big problem. It has less to do with "bodies on display" than with "if I lose 5 kg I'll shave 5 seconds off my time" or similar. You can, for example, look into ski jumping, where a minimum BMI has been set due to jumpers losing as much weight as they can - to unhealthy low lovels - to be able to fly further on their jumps.

Models are on public display, but they also have to maintain a certain body type as their role is a living hanger for the clothes. Unlike with (most) athletes, models can and do use illicit drugs to keep their weight down.

Now there will be binging and purging in both groups, but I do not know to what extent it exists.

Is it possible for someone to develop a binge eating disorder on purpose?
Q. Could someone purposefully develop a binge eating disorder just because they wanted to and thus get fat?

A. Yes.

How have any of you overcome binge eating disorder?
Q. I am 15 years old and I have binge eating disorder along with various other medical issues. My psychiatrist has acknowledged it but said he wasn't going to label me with it. My mom is impossible. She says we will have to agree to disagree and my dad believes me but doesn't do anything about it either. I feel very alone with this. I ask my family not to bring in junk food and to not let me have any either and to hide the junk food that they bring in the house (even though I always find it). My mom is the most unsupportive of them all. She tells me that I don't have BED and asks me why I always find the junk food. She tells me that I just need to work on it myself. I keep telling her thats not how it works but she wont listen. She hasen't even bothered to read one thing on this. I have been bingeing since I was 9 or ten and I didn't really become aware that it was a problem until I was 14. I am feeling so alone and I keep getting heavier and heavier. I don't know what to do and I desperately need suggestions. Has anyone else been through this and if so what have you done to overcome it? Treatment for this is not out of the question but it may take a while to convince my psychiatrist and family to let me go to it. My psychiatrist told me he wants me to try weight watchers first, but I don't think that will work, but I told him i'd try it anyway.

A. I have an eating disorder, and I tend to either over-eat or under-eat. My binge cycles usually last a long time, but less time than my starvation. I have tried countless times to try and get healthy on my own but I can not; the small part of me that wants to be healthy is overwhelmed by the rest of me, that tells me I don't deserve anything unless I am perfect. If you seriously think you have an eating disorder, please get help. The only time I have ever been able to control mine was when I was seeing a therapist who helped me through it, but because I was forced to stop seeing him I relapsed and part of me has given up on ever being 'healthy'. If I am binge eating and try to return to a healthy diet, I end up starving myself, and vice versa. Seek help, do anything you can to get your mother to understand, and tell your father that he need to help you. My mother encouraged my eating disorder and my father wasn't around to help me; your lucky to have them, make sure they know that you need their help.




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