Body dissatisfaction is reaching epic levels -- according to the American College of Sports Medicine, 40 percent of women are dieting during any given period. It doesn't just affect women anymore, either; men are becoming increasingly aware of and dissatisfied with the way they measure up to the popular image of the ideal male. All of this social pressure that equates a low body fat percentage with perfection can lead to eating disorders. Although not technically classified as an eating disorder, compulsive dieting can be even more insidious because it begins as a healthy step before it spirals out of control.
Definition
Compulsive dieting differs from normal dieting in that the dieter is ultra strict about her regimen and may not have a goal weight in mind. In other words, she diets to see how thin she can get. She generally does not use a healthy eating plan; instead, she takes drastic measures such as severely restricting food intake and exercising in extreme amounts and intensity. She is not concerned with her health, only her appearance, and is never satisfied with any progress she has made -- she only focuses on losing more weight.
Causes
Compulsive dieting is generally rooted in poor body image. Because the media celebrates underweight models and muscular bodybuilders for their appearance, normal everyday people may feel pressured to mimic the popular body ideal. Even though television and magazines use a number of tricks, including makeup, creative lighting and digital manipulation, to make these models appear more "perfect" than they are, the final image can easily been seen as a goal by many. Even normal-weight people can feel inadequate by comparison and strive to fit into the idealized image. Compulsive dieting can also occur when a person feels a lack of control over her life and she reasons that at least she can control her body.
Signs
A compulsive dieter may be anxious at mealtimes and may avoid situations where food will be present. She may develop elaborate rituals around eating and may cut food into small pieces and push it around the plate to disguise the fact that she hasn't eaten. She may also seem to be very devoted to exercise. As she gets thinner, she may be more sensitive to cold, her skin may dry out and she may experience hair loss.
Treatment
Compulsive dieting is a psychological disorder with a physical component. A doctor's care is necessary to treat any physical effects -- the dieter may have malnutrition, which is hard on the heart and kidneys. A nutritionist may be consulted to prescribe a healthy diet that will help get the dieter back to a healthy weight. A psychologist treats the mental part of the disease, helping the dieter raise her self-esteem and determine the underlying issues that caused the condition in the first place. Because the patient will gain weight as she recovers, skilled counseling is necessary to keep her in treatment and help her realize that the weight is healthy, not unattractive.
