Eating Disorder

One of the things mostly ignored in Nigeria today is eating disorder. It can also be a cause of depression or a result of depression but it not talked about often. A lot of people don’t even know they have it because they feel they are healthy or have healthy fats in their body.

A eating disorder is an abnormal eating habits that affects a person’s physical and mental health. It is a mental illness. It could be because they are scared of their weight or feel underweight. There are different types of eating disorder but for today I’ll be talking about binge eating, the popular one amongst Nigerians.

Binge eating disorder is the eating of large amounts of food in a short while without having control of oneself. Studies have shown that a lot of teenagers and youths are going through it. It usually begins in adolescence and when not treated it develops with the person into adulthood. People with this disorder don’t count their daily calorie intake or think about losing the weight acquired from binge eating. They are usually overweight or obese and have a high risk of having heart diseases and other health problems.

A popular saying amongst the poor and some middle class in Nigerian when they are told not to overeat in a short period is, “we don’t know when the next food will come so let us eat very well(overeat) now”. And that is how it starts.

Symptoms common with binge eating are: eating until uncomfortable, eating large amounts of food even when not hungry, feeling ashamed and disgusted with themselves after eating.

Is it curable? Yes of course but acceptance is key. Some people are in denial because they think there’s no such thing or just can’t accept it.

The first step is seeking medical help. A doctor can help address any health issues that may have resulted from eating disorder. Therapy and medication can also help. Dieting and nutrition would help restore normal eating habits and eating healthy.