Weight Worries
Worried About Your Weight?
Unfortunately, in our society there is a great deal of pressure to look model thin. If you really need to lose weight, the best way is to do it gradually, by eating the right amount of the right kind of food and by taking more exercise. Aim to lose 1-2lbs per week, using the guidance on the previous page. Crash diets, slimming products and missing meals are not recommended and may lead to excessive weight gain in the long term. To get a correct assessment of whether you are the right weight for your height, contact the practice nurse at your G.P.s or health centre.
Help and info on healthy weight:
http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Loseweight/
Eat yourself gorgeous with this healthy eating plan:
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/teens/eatyourselfgorgeous/
Eating Disorders
Sometimes people can have worries about their weight and want to be thinner; some of these people may not be overweight in the first place. However being very overweight or obese can cause problems, particularly with health. Quite often, someone who is overweight can lose weight simply by eating more healthily but some might try to lose weight through dieting or skipping meals. For some, worries about weight becomes an obsession. There is a risk that this can turn into a serious eating disorder. Common eating disorders include– anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Anorexia | Bulimia |
|---|---|
This is characterised by: | This is characterised by: |
fear of fatness | fear of fatness |
under eating | binge eating |
excessive loss of weight | normal weight but with regular weight fluctuation |
vigorous exercise possibly in secret | vomiting and/or excessive use of laxatives |
Worries about weight, shape and eating are common, especially among young girls and it can be difficult to notice the difference between someone having an eating disorder and ordinary dieting. Some of the signs of eating disorders are in the table above but if you are concerned about yourself or someone you know contact your GP or:
Beating Eating Disorders B-EAT
Youthline
0845 634 7650
Youth forum
ypa@b-eat.co.uk
Adult Helpline
0845 634 1414
Samaritans 0845 790 9090 and Childline 0800 1111 offer 24 hour support.
Useful Websites
