What are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are illnesses in which people experience severe disturbances in eating behaviours, related thoughts and emotions. Common examples of eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. They can affect anyone.
ED Trend in Asia and Hong Kong
In Asia, eating disorders are prevalent in approximately 3.5% of the population. They are more commonly found in females, accounting for over 60% of the cases.
Though not often talked about, eating disorders are a major problem, especially in Hong Kong, where 1 in 200 schoolgirls suffer from anorexia nervosa and 2-3% of young women suffer from bulimia nervosa. In recent years, the number of diagnoses has been increasing, especially in adolescents.
Factors Contributing to the Rise in Eating Disorders
Everyone’s experience with eating disorders are different and there is no one single cause as to why someone may develop an eating disorder. Symptoms can differ in each case, but several factors contribute to the rising number of diagnoses in recent years.
Family and Peer Relationships
Commenting on people’s weights is quite the norm at Hong Kong family gatherings. They often influence the way one sees themselves in terms of appearance, further increasing the likelihood of developing an eating disorder. Furthermore, pressure and influence from peers to “stay fit” and “maintain an attractive appearance” may also lead to the development of eating disorders.
Social Media
With the rise of social media, unrealistic beauty standards have become more prevalent. Celebrities, especially those who have undergone cosmetic procedures, are often seen as ideals of beauty despite the fact that their features are unattainable naturally. This can affect one’s perception of what body type is “acceptable”. As a result, there is increased pressure on people, especially adolescents, to maintain the perfect body image to fit into the beauty standards influenced by social media.
Common Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
This is when people limit how much they eat and drink in order to lose weight to an unhealthy extent. They may be of an abnormally low body weight, have an intense fear of gaining weight and have a distorted perception of weight. In addition to that, they may also control their weight and shape, resulting in a variety of health problems.
Bulimia
Bulimia is when people get caught in a cycle of eating large quantities of food (bingeing), and then try to compensate for overeating by vomiting, taking laxatives, fasting, or exercising excessively (purging). During a binge, it is difficult for people to control the quantity and type of food that they eat as they are trapped in the cycle of bingeing and purging.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
This is where people eat very large quantities of food uncontrollably.. Characteristics of BED can include eating large amounts of food until uncomfortably full, feelings of disgust, shame or guilt during or after the binge. Many factors can lead to BED, such as feelings of anxiety or diet restrictions.
Attitudes Towards Eating Disorders in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, there is already a stigma towards mental health in general.
One common misconception about eating disorders is that they are a choice made by an individual. They are not. They develop as one’s perception of food and body image change. A large number of factors can contribute to this but there is no single cause.
Schools in Hong Kong rarely raise awareness on this issue, resulting in a lack of understanding about eating disorders amongst the general public. Moreover, eating disorders are difficult to detect because it is usually a silent struggle and the lack of resources for educating others on eating disorders make it even more difficult for those around to notice the changes, both physically and emotionally.
Signs to Watch out For
Emotional Changes: body image concerns, isolation, flat emotions, seeking reassurance about looks, incessant talk about food, intense fear of weight gain
Behavioural Signs: excessive dieting, meal skipping, obsessive exercising, frequent trips to the toilet, discomfort while eating, frequent critical checking in the mirror, withdrawal from social activities
Physical Changes: sudden weight loss/gain, complaints of abdominal pain, thinning hair, dark circles, fainting or dizziness upon standing, feeling bloated
Eating Disorder Resources in Hong Kong
If you suspect that someone you know has an eating disorder, speak to them, be patient and supportive and encourage them to seek professional help immediately. Waiting to intervene will only make it more difficult to overcome. If you are going through this, reach out to someone you trust and try to seek professional support.
Hong Kong Eating Disorder Association http://www.heda-hk.org/
HEDA Hotline: 2850 4448
Sources
Writer: Rin Kimura
Editor: Isaac Chow
Artist: Pihu Agarwal
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