Eating Disorders and Good Nutrition

Good nutrition is essential to good health. It is important to select well balanced, nutritious meals to ensure normal patterns of growth and development. It is important to watch your weight, but for some people dieting can get out of hand. For people with various eating disorders, dieting can even be dangerous.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA is a physically dangerous eating disorder. Deliberate self-starvation is one of the symptoms. A person suffering from anorexia may be obsessed with the idea of eating food, but because of emotional, environmental, and physical factors ignores the hunger and does not eat.

BULIMIA is also an eating disorder. A person who is bulimic consumes enormous amounts of food in very short periods of time, then fasts, vomits, or uses laxatives or diuretics. The sufferer may feel trapped within the destructive binge/purge cycle and have no idea how to stop.

OVER EATING AND COMPULSIVE EATING are also unhealthy habits and can be symptoms of underlying emotions or physical problems.

If you, a family member, or a friend display any of these symptoms or conditions, you can get help. Speak to your physician or school nurse, or call:

For current support groups call INFOLINE 211:
New Milford Hospital support groups and counseling referrals
860-355-4069
860-350-4915