Anne, a thirtysomething lawyer, returns home after a day at her office job.
At Coles, she makes a stop once or twice weekly to pick up a bulging bag of treats: two pizzas, biscuits, ice cream, and more.
Upon arriving at her vacant flat, she draws the curtains, turns on the TV, and spends her evening indulging in all the food, far exceeding her hunger or need.
Sarah, another woman in her 40s, is entangled in a challenging relationship. Her partner is moody and diminishes her self-worth, leaving her uncertain about how to assert herself.
“I often eat for comfort, something I’ve done since childhood when my mum would offer me biscuits during tough times,” Sarah shares. This has led to significant weight gain, attracting further criticism.
Carol, a 65-year-old retired mother of three, is particular about her diet. Bread and potatoes are off the table, and she harbors a deep fear of consuming fat.
Dining out becomes a torturous ordeal for her, as she remains oblivious to the contents of the food. Despite appearing slim and healthy, her internal anxiety about food and the time she dedicates to worrying about it remains unknown to others.
Having been divorced, her friends are unaware of her struggles. What common ground do these women share?
I trust you’re beginning to understand. They are grappling with disordered eating… a phenomenon that a psychotherapist specialized in treating serious eating disorders sees as widespread, particularly among women.
While statistics on Australians affected are scarce, an American survey by the University of North Carolina indicated that up to 65 percent of women aged 25 to 45 reported experiencing disordered eating behaviors.
Women from diverse backgrounds and age groups face similar challenges.
Many sufferers don’t meet the strict definitions of anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder, as their behavior is not as 
extreme. Instead, food becomes a means for coping with and handling stress.
Paradoxically, these obsessions often lead to greater unhappiness.
This is not a clinical diagnosis but rather a description of those distressed by their eating habits or quantities.
Elizabeth Hurley recommended ‘eating off a tiny plate and using small cutlery’
Individuals with disordered eating invest significant time and energy trying to regulate their behavior. They frequently participate in diet clubs, gyms, and various diets.
Food induces anxiety for them; they may struggle with feeling out of control regarding their eating, even while yearning to gain that control back. While some may be overweight, this is not the case for all. A prime example is Victoria Beckham.
Following the birth of her first son, Brooklyn, she faced anorexia accusations which she denied. Yet, in her autobiography, she confessed that dieting consumed her thoughts. She would run and subsist solely on liquid-meal replacements.
After periods of restriction, she found herself bingeing – recounting an instance in her book where she consumed ten bowls of Frosties in one go. Currently, following the birth of her fourth child, allegations suggest Mrs. Beckham is now eating five high-protein meals daily, drinking copious amounts of water, and snacking exclusively on goji berries and…nuts.
Then there’s Liz Hurley, who suggested, ‘eat off a tiny plate and use small cutlery’ as a diet tip.
This is not anorexia, but it certainly indicates obsessional or even dysfunctional behavior. Surprisingly, her advice was echoed in numerous women’s magazines as ‘excellent guidance’.
Oprah Winfrey, the U.S. chat-show host, frequently discusses her struggles with overeating followed by significant weight loss.
In her book, Elizabeth Takes It Off, Elizabeth Taylor detailed her longstanding preoccupation with diet and food.
Recently, Janet Jackson in her autobiography mentioned that her weight fluctuations were caused by intense four-hour workouts, which were followed by equally excessive eating episodes. And the list continues…
Oprah Winfrey frequently shares her experiences of battling overeating and achieving significant weight loss. It’s important to recognize that disordered eating can escalate into a severe eating disorder.Health issues can arise from this, often due to becoming overweight. However, the most significant concern…which these women, famous and otherwise, all acknowledge…is that their behaviors bring sadness into their lives. What types of assistance are available?
I believe these individuals exhibit traits of emotional eating…responding to life’s highs and lows through eating or the resolution to abstain from it.
Research indicates that consuming large amounts of fat and sugar, like a sizeable chocolate bar or a package of biscuits, yields a soothing, sedative-like effect on the body.
What individuals experiencing these issues require is support in releasing food as a coping mechanism and learning to comfort themselves while trusting others for support and assistance.
If my observations resonate, there are national support organizations available for those facing such challenges…like Overeaters Anonymous or Beat, which manage a network of support and self-help groups.
Your physician can also facilitate access to counseling, which should assist you in addressing any underlying concerns.
You might find it beneficial to participate in a group, either in-person or online, within the Understanding Your Eating program. These groups are led by qualified counselors dedicated to aiding you in altering your eating behaviors and enhancing your self-esteem. You’ll realize that your initial use of food was for perfectly valid reasons; you were attempting to care for yourself initially; however, you can learn to manage your life in a better way.
The reality is that you don’t need to spend your life being consumed by food; an alternative exists.
by Susan Floyd
