Many people have different eating behaviors that are influenced by culture, emotional cues, physical prompts, families, habits, and friends. As people’s association with food increases, individuals tend to lose track of when to take a meal and thus start consuming to satisfy their desires other than the need to fuel body activity (Bland et al., 2021). The practice has led to eating disorders amongst people that put their lives at a greater risk. In most cases, identifying the changes in eating patterns may be challenging, thus reducing the rate of diagnosis of the problem.
The stereotype around eating disorders has made it possible for the under diagnosis of people with the problem. For example, individuals who exhibit the anorexia condition are most likely to be diagnosed than people who have binge eating disorders. This is because a lot of focus and concentration has been directed towards thin people, thus making persons with other syndrome unrecognized. The typecast has led to a high rate of untreated cases even though there are enough resources to offer successful treatment for the individuals to end their suffering.
Similarly, individuals having eating disorders are underdiagnosed because most of their behavior correlates with compensatory practices to correct related effects of the issue. For instance, men with the binge-eating syndrome may tend to engage in physical exercise to control the illness, making it hard for the physicist to detect the presence of the problem. Individuals view weight loss as a result of exercise rather than the effect of eating behavior.
Another contributing factor to the underdiagnosed eating disorder is the lack of proper equipment in most healthcare units to analyze the conditions. This makes most physicians only focus on the dominant type of disorder, leaving other types unattended. Similarly, some diseases such as Lyme syndrome mimic symptoms of eating disorders, therefore, making it difficult for doctors to distinguish between them.
To enhance awareness of eating disorders, several campaigns should be conducted to sensitize people about the different types of conditions so that the element of stereotype associated with the thin body can be eliminated. The coverages should clearly address the various types of disorders that are likely to affect people and the compensatory behaviors that are most associated with them. When people have enough information, they would probably seek a diagnosis to determine their health status (Reel, 2018). Universal screening should be encouraged to ensure individuals eating conditions are determined. Prior detection of changes in the eating habit would facilitate early intervention through treatment of the disorder.
From the biblical point of view, various verses can be used to give hope to people suffering from any type of eating disorder. For example, according to Psalm 139: 14, “I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well” (Simonetti, 2018). This verse shows people that they have been made accordingly, and there is no need to bother about the body image.
In conclusion, eating disorder is becoming a significant health concern amongst people. There are many factors connected to the root cause of eating behavior. Individuals should take appropriate measures to seek medical support to reduce the suffering from the illness. People should also turn to the Holy Scriptures to guide them about the body image so that they overcome the worldly influence they face from media.
References
Bland, R., Drake, G., & Drayton, J. (2021). Social work practice in mental health: An introduction. Routledge.
Reel, J. J. (2018). Eating disorder not otherwise specified. Eating Disorders: Understanding Causes, Controversies, and Treatment [2 volumes], 191.
Simonetti, D. J. (2018). Pet & pray: The transforming power of grace and communion through god’s beloved creatures. University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.