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Originally Posted by mathew856
right, annorexia and bulimia are head problems, obesity is not so dangerous, some dieting ad exercises can solve the problem esily...
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define dangerous.
how are 'head problems' (which i assume are psychological and mental health issues) more dangerous than the problem of obesity?
how is diabetes less dangerous than head problems? what about hypertension? what about polycystic ovarian syndrome? how is any one of those more or less dangerous than the other? they're not.
i think people seem to bundle obese people in the 'fat - eats too much camp' and underweight people in the 'skinny- starves themselves' camp, which i think is utter bullshit.
both issues have many different factors, that its not easy to define why people under or over eat. Scientifically, both these conditions are diseases that are preventable and curable, but not always successful.
The mental health of both the obese and underweight camps is affected when dealing with these sorts of problems. abuse, self consiousness, self esteem are just some of the mental issues that come into play here. So medical treatment alone is not sufficient without the aid and help of psychologists when seeking treatment. Many times, the patients themselves dont think they have a problem which is the first step to overcome.
interestingly enough, US senators a few months ago passed a bill dealing with eating disorders. So the issue really is bigger than most people think.
Quote:
U.S. Senators Harkin, Klobuchar, and Franken introduce bill
to confront eating disorders in the U.S.
For Immediate Release
Contact:
David Jaffe
Executive Director, EDC
202-543-9570
(Washington, D.C. - March 3, 2011) - The United States took an important step toward addressing the national emergency of eating disorders when Senators Tom Harkin, Amy Klobuchar, and Al Franken introduced the Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders (FREED) Act today.
“The FREED Act is the first legislative effort in the history of the Senate to comprehensively confront the seriousness and deadly threat of eating disorders in the United States. We are proud to have Senators Harkin, Klobuchar and Franken champion our cause,” said Jeanine Cogan, Policy Director of the Eating Disorders Coalition.
A coordinated national response like the FREED Act can help the millions of Americans suffering (and, too often, dying) from eating disorders.
“It has been ten years since anorexia killed my daughter Anna,” said EDC Board Member Kitty Westin. “And eating disorders have killed thousands of Americans since then. It’s time for Congress to pass the FREED Act as a critical first step in addressing this national emergency.”
Eating disorders do not discriminate: men and women, all economic classes, old and young are affected. Sadly, eating disorders even touch young children. According to a recent report in the December issue of PEDIATRICS, Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, hospitalizations for children with eating disorders under age 12 increased by a shocking 119% for the years 1999 to 2006.
The FREED Act would fund much needed research to better understand eating disorders and provides solutions for prevention, education, screening, diagnosis and treatment. Among other things, the legislation would fund grants to conduct research on treatment efficacy, train health professionals and school personnel to identify and respond to eating disorders, and build on existing reform efforts to ensure that treatment is available to those who need it.
Ten months ago, two days before she was to join the Eating Disorders Coalition citizen lobbying effort on Capitol Hill, a young woman from Pennsylvania named Nicole died in her sleep from her eating disorder. Nicole’s mother sadly states, “If the FREED Act was in place, I might still have my daughter with me today.” Nicole’s aunt, Wendy Bloom, added, “The FREED Act will stop the endless pain for millions of people. It will allow treatment for a disease without the fear of not completing their treatment because their insurance doesn't cover it. It will end the torment and pain of another mother burying her child because she couldn't afford treatment.”
About the EDC
The Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action is working in Washington, D.C., to increase awareness, educate policymakers, and promote understanding about the disabling and life-threatening effects of eating disorders. Our mission is to advance the federal recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority. Eating Disorders Coaltion for Research, Policy & Action
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