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May 4, 2011

Body Dissatisfaction Tied to Plastic Surgery and Disordered Eating

May 5, 2011

Do you have friends or family members who are unhappy with how their body looks? Are they always comparing themselves to celebrities, models or others in the media? Do you think the media plays a role in the way women, teens and even younger girls view themselves?

Let’s dig deeper into body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Joining me on this week’s podcast is licensed nutritionist and certified eating disorders registered dietitian Karen Beerbower.  Karen has a Masters degree in Medical Science from Indiana University School of Medicine.

As the president of Nutritional Guidance Inc., based in Orlando, she has worked in private practice for over 20 years and is the Clinical Director of Blue Horizons Eating Disorder Services.

Karen talks about the growing numbers of women, teens and even young girls who are unhappy or dissatisfied with their bodies.

Their self worth, worth to others and happiness is based on the perception of what they think others are looking for or see as ideal…not on their inner self.

Did you know that everyday we are exposed to over 3000 images, many based on a woman’s appearance that has been altered in some way (computer enhanced or airbrushed as examples). With the obesity crisis front and center, there is awareness that one must keep weight in check at all costs.

Shockingly Karen reports that 47% of young girls ages 12-18 are unhappy with their weight and many at age 12 and younger are dieting. These young girls (8-12 years old) read magazines where the models are in their 20s and want to associate with how they look.

Restrictive eating through dieting can then lead to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Medically, there is concern that their bodies have not fully developed. What effects this dieting has on hormones, body fat, future health and fertility are unknown.

Fast forward to a group of older women who are also unhappy with their looks. Many fingers extend beyond traditional eating disorders including this segment referred to as desperate housewives syndrome.

Want more? Listen to this week’s podcast below.

Listen to this week’s podcast

 


January 19, 2011

How Big is Your ‘BUT’?

Is life getting in the way of what you want to accomplish? Do you have dreams and goals that you want to come true but your ‘but’ gets in the way. No, not that ‘butt’ although you might be feeling that your bum or backside is a little larger than it was in 2010.

I’m talking about the ‘but’ that keeps you stuck in your rut and prevents you from moving ahead and reaching your goals. You know the ‘but’…you would like to take that spinning class ‘but’ your schedule is already jammed or you feel exhausted and need to get more sleep ‘but’ it never seems to happen.

Let 2011 be the year you have a mental boot camp with yourself and kick the ‘but’ out of your life. A mental boot camp is an up close and personal inventory. Take a hard look at your day-to-day life and decide what must be addressed, changed, adapted, deleted, whatever…so that you and your family find more contentment.

During your mental boot camp, ask yourself some of these questions:

* Do you stress-eat? If so, get rid of the foods that call your name. Clean the pantry or fridge so you have to work harder to get those stress foods. Don’t completely give up these foods because then you will want them even more. Instead, buy the smallest size of the best item, such as high quality chocolate, and truly enjoy it.

* Are you drinking your calories? Notice where your calories are coming from …lattes, smoothies, sweetened tea and sodas, energy drinks…and pay attention to the size of the container. Remember…bigge size = bigge thighs.

* Did you have a fight with someone you care about and turn to that bag of chips in the pantry for comfort? Time to deal with these emotions and find healthier (calorie free) options for comfort. Have a plan…call a friend, go for a walk, watch a funny show…defuse the situation and stay away from the food. I realize that some issues are way bigger than this…that’s why it’s important to go thru a mental boot camp so you know if counseling or help of some type is needed.

Instead of a focus on weight loss or exercise, review your life and the contentment you feel or don’t feel. Why? Your contentment level and attitude affect your weight. When you are overwhelmed and stressed, it’s impossible to find the time to eat well, shop and prep food, exercise or do anything else for yourself…and you feel guilty when you do.

Stress eating and binge eating are often tied to tough and emotionally stressful events in life and how you cope with them. Food is an outlet and is available ever direction you turn. It’s legal and calls your name when you’re mad, hurt, sad and stressed…you known what I mean.

When I was writing books, I realized I truly was the author of those books, which meant it was up to me to write and complete them. The same is true for you. You are the author of your book…your life. As the author, you have the ability to change the chapter in 2011 if it’s not working for you.

Listen to this week’s podcast below.

Listen to this week’s podcast



October 20, 2010

Tell-All: Nutrition News Now

Have you noticed all the chatter about weight loss these past few days? How’s this for a diet trick? A recent article in USA Today reported on research from Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab headed up by Dr. Brian Wansink.

His lab found that people consumed less at meals after watching exercise-related commercials than they did after viewing other types of ads.

The 125 participants in this study were divided into two groups. One group watched ads for washing machines or car insurance while the other groups watched exercise-related ads including fitness centers and running shoes. Then both groups had a buffet lunch.

Guess what? The participants who watched the exercise-related ads consumed 22% fewer calories from the buffet than the other group. And, don’t miss this…the group viewing the messages about fitness and exercise reported that they felt more athletic, active and in better shape than those in the other group. The participants watching the exercise type ads also thought the buffet meal was healthier than the other group.

The researchers suggested that the exercise commercials may cause people to be more health and body conscious.

I better watch Dancing with the Stars and receive some of those messages. How about you? Perception for people is a big part of the weight loss puzzle. For example, Wansink has done other work where he found that people would eat more movie popcorn if the bowl was bigger….even if the popcorn was old and stale!

In another recent article from USA Today which reported on a Nutrisystem poll of 1001 people found that twenty-five percent of men said they would rather go without sex for a summer than gain 10 pounds. But get this…50% of the women responding would give up sex rather than gain weight.

Two thirds of the people said they would need to lose weight in order to feel sexier. How many pounds on average do you think it would take for this sexy feeling? To be a hottie? A loss of 23 pounds was the average in the poll. Weight and weight gain is definitely tied to self-image and people will go to great lengths to keep the weight off. Am I talking to you?

When I fly, I’ve been listening to the audio book Big Girl by Danielle Steel. Have any of you read it? Throughout the book, the author weaves the story of the power of self-image and body weight and how negative comments from family members can affect a young girl’s view of herself throughout life.

You clearly see the tie between food cravings and emotional hunger versus hunger. What do you think? Email me thru my website at susanmitchell.org and I’ll share your comments next week.

Don’t forget to register to win cases of isopure plus. Just go to WDBO.com and click on the Nutrition & Health Center.

For more information, listen to this week’s podcast below.

Listen to this week’s podcast


June 9, 2010

BPA Update: Are Plastics a Potential Health Problem

Plastic baby bottles, plastic water bottles and plastic microwave containers…should you use them or not? What do you think? BPA is a hot button of controversy. Because consumer awareness of this potential health issue is growing, many manufacturers are producing BPA-free products.

If you want to reduce your exposure to BPA while the research and controversy continues, you can try these tips:

  1. Use plastics marked BPA-free or opt for stainless steel, glass or porcelain. Remember, you can always email or call the manufacturer if in doubt.
  2. To prevent BPA from seeping into food and liquids, wash plastics by hand instead of in the dishwasher even if the container says dishwasher safe.
  3. Also, forget about using plastics in the microwave and go with glass or porcelain that’s made especially for a microwave.
  4. This also includes plastic wrap for a cover…use glass, paper towel or wax paper as better alternatives.
  5. Try to avoid those white clamshell take-out containers. Both plastic wrap and these containers may contain other plastics that could be problematic too.
  6. Try to stay away from #7 on the bottom of containers in terms of recycling unless the items say BPA free.
  7. Choose glass or BPA free infant formula bottles.
  8. Select fresh or frozen foods over canned unless you find a manufacturer that uses an alternative. Also look for shelf stable cartons, pouches, bags and cups as alternatives to cans.

The chemical bisphenol-A or BPA is found in many reusable water bottles, some baby bottles, and clear plastic storage containers. Just to give you an idea, the lining of most canned food, pizza boxes, water pipes, eyeglasses, cell phones, shower curtains, DVDs, bicycle helmets, airplanes and even some dental sealants contain BPA.

BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics which mimics or acts like the hormone estrogen and is referred to as an endocrine disrupting chemical. BPA can leach into food and drinks from cans, containers and bottles. A study published in Toxicology Letters (2008) found that hot liquids and food put into plastics containing BPA actually leached more of the chemical from the container into the food or liquid…up to 50 times more.

According to the American Chemistry Council, eleven regulatory bodies around the world have assessed the science on BPA and have determined that BPA is safe for use in food contact materials. However, use of BPA is definitely a controversial one. Animal studies have found that BPA is potentially linked to abnormal development of reproductive systems and precancerous lesions.

A report in the December 2009 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine found BPA in most all of 19 name-brand foods from canned soups and juice to tuna and green beans. BPA was even found in cans labeled “BPA-free”. The Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, has taken the position that manufacturer and government agencies should act to eliminate the use of BPA in all materials that come into contact with food.

These results stoke the fire as to how much BPA is safe to ingest and should BPA come into contact with food. According to medpagetoday.com, at the end of 2009 the FDA reversed its position and will budget $30 million for short and long term studies on the health risks associated with BPA particularly in infant food containers.

Listen to this week’s podcast


April 29, 2009

Stay True to Yourself

susan-boyle-stay-trueI still get Goosebumps on my arms every time I hear Susan Boyle sing.  My office coordinator Marlene said that she has an innocence even at her age that is so wonderful and refreshing. By now, you have probably watched the YouTube video of Susan Boyle, a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent, sing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.

In an interview from itv.com Ms. Boyle talked about her life which has been rather tough. She is unemployed and recently lived with her Mom in her childhood home until her Mother’s death at the age of 91. Devoting much of her time to volunteer work in her church, she keeps an upbeat, positive attitude and shares that can-do spirit as she helps the elderly and visits those in the hospital. Ms Boyle has been singing for years and always wanted to sing before a large audience and pursue some type of singing career.

If you saw the video, you also saw the treatment that Ms. Boyle received before she began to sing. The audience was critical of her looks and outfit making ugly facial expressions. You could see and feel the cynical tone towards her overall demeanor and actions. Then Ms. Boyle began to sing and the entire listening audience received a wake-up call they hopefully will never forget. Ms. Boyle’s singing of I Dreamed a Dream blew them away. What an incredible voice and gift this woman has.

The part that bugs me is the treatment she received. Did it bug you? The negative first impression based only on her less-than-fashionista sense of dress, hair and makeup. The audience was judging her, laughing at her and basically blowing her off before she even opened her mouth because she didn’t look hip, slim, fit or trendy. Well, guess who’s getting the last laugh? As Ms. Boyle received a ‘yes’ from each of the judges, she raised her fists in victory and stomped her feet in excitement. I said “yes….stay true to yourself”. She had the inner confidence to go after her dream, regardless of what anyone else thought or said about her outward appearance. She knows who she is and where her significance comes from…inside her.

Immediately after her successful audition that has captured the hearts of people all over the world, there was talk of turning her into a media darling with a makeover…right away. Ms. Boyle’s reply was that she is taking baby as she is totally comfortable with just who she is. What about her talent? Her brains? How quickly we lose sight of that.

Do you catch yourself judging people by their weight or maybe their lack of fashion or beauty sense instead of who they are as a person?  Maybe you think you need a makeover. Do you feel pressure from society to look a certain way? Think about it…even Barbie can make you feel like you should stand well over 6 feet tall in high heels with a 23 inch waist and 38 inch bust. How realistic is that when the average woman in the US is a size 12? Women particularly have enough problems with self esteem, body image, self worth and many times the resulting eating disorders.

The media’s portrayal of ‘hotness’ as the only qualifying factor for a woman’s worth puts women on the defensive constantly. Young girls and young women spend way more time worrying about how they look than worrying about what they learn in school and preparing for a potential career. In other words, the message is beauty over brains. I think it’s time for women and men everywhere to reclaim your bodies and remember that your significance is found in you, not on the cover of a fashion magazine or anywhere else. What do you think?

If you are feeling less than adequate in your weight or appearance, it’s fine to work on these areas BUT I want you to remember always that feeling good about yourself, your body, your weight and your looks must come from within. It’s not going to be found in new clothes, a face lift or thinner thighs. These things are fine, don’t get me wrong. Listen to your inner voice. Know that you are significant just as you are now. If or when you decide to make a change…make it for you not to fit someone else’s image of what they think is hot or sexy.


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