An eating disorder is
a compulsion to eat, or avoid eating, that negatively affects both one's physical and mental health. Eating disorders are
all encompassing. They affect every part of the person's life. According to the authors of Surviving an Eating Disorder,
"feelings about work, school, relationships, day-to-day activities and one's experience of emotional well being are determined
by what has or has not been eaten or by a number on a scale." At their core, eating disorders involve distorted, self-critical attitudes about weight, food, and body image. They
are an attempt to deal with feelings of shame, anxiety, and powerlessness. It’s these negative thoughts and feelings that fuel the damaging behaviors that include following rigid diets, gorging on food
in secret, throwing up after meals, and obsessively counting calories.  Many eating disorder experts attribute this behavior to the effects of cultural expectations. Many people with eating disorders also can be depressed or anxious, or have other mental health problems such as
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). There is also evidence that eating disorders may run in families. Although part of this
may be in our genes, it's also because we learn our values and behaviors from our families.
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Although eating disorders mainly affect women
between the ages of 12 and 35, other groups are also at risk of developing eating disorders. Eating disorders
affect all ethnic and racial groups and while the specific nature of the problem and the risk factors may vary,
no population is exempt. Younger and younger children seem to be at risk of developing eating disorders. While
most children who develop eating disorders are between 11 and 13, studies have shown that 80% of 3rd through 6th
graders are dissatisfied with their bodies or their weight and by age 9 somewhere between 30 and 40% of girls
have already been on a diet. Between ages 10 and 16, that statistic jumps to 80%. Athletes
and dancers are particularly vulnerable to developing eating disorders around the time of puberty, as they may want
to stop or suppress growth (both height and weight).Eating disorders are serious medical illnesses. People
with eating disorders also can have serious physical health problems, such as heart conditions or kidney failure. People
who weigh at least 15% less than the normal weight for their height may not have enough body fat to keep their
organs and other body parts healthy. In extreme cases, eating disorders can lead to severe malnutrition and even
death. Fortunately, people with eating disorders can get well and gradually learn to eat
normally again. Eating disorders involve both the mind and body. Therapy or counseling is a critical part of treating
eating disorders. Our horses, through our equine assisted counseling program, help participants improve
self-esteem, regain their ability to see themselves objectively, and learn healthy ways to respond to stress and
emotional pain.
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