Eating disorders and dieting sights

Sub-question: There are a LOT of anorexia sufferers on My fitness pal. Is this unhealthy? Or are there tools that I am not aware of for persons of their condition?

I personally think it's very unhealthy, because it perpetuates an obsession with dieting, cutting out food groups, calories, macros, exercise etc. Even though people recovering from ED's believe they are coming here for a lifestyle change, I think it's very hard to do that on a site where many/most people are trying to lose weight. I know that many people will disagree with me, but that's just my 2 cents...

When people have odd ideas about food, I don't try to change their mind because it's just too complicated and there are way too many factors involved. Knowing someone personally can be different though according to the degree of disordered eating, though still not convinced one can illicit a change in behavior. The nature of it seems to block those that don't agree & secretly continue with those who do. Not many flaunt their ED's and/or defend their position, rather, they find someone else who agrees with them.

The clues are there and if you are astute enough to pick up on them, you'll see them. I remain silent as it's all I can do, and consider the leave of a few days from the occasionally all-consuming idea of weight loss.

Sometimes, the whole thing can be too intense. :drinker: Good luck, no easy answers here.

I am recovering from bulimia and I find this to a helpful as I track my calorie intake. I like to make sure that I'm eating enough calories without overeating. when I don't know if I overate I tend to purge. My Fitness Pal is like insurance that I am eating correctly. I did delete my first account because many of my friends were anorexic and very negative about food exercise and their own bodies. my new Fitness Pal account contains only a few friends that I know a positive and supportive. when in recovery a person learns what triggers to avoid. I wish there was a site just for ED, but I wonder if it would be counter active....

It's very individual, and the wealth of information available here can either be a powerful tool or a crippling burden, depending on the mindset of the individual.

I like to make sure that I'm eating enough calories without overeating.

^ this

I think if you find it uncomfortable you may be better off unfriending the person it can be hard to know what support to give maybe send them a message and find out how they're doing and if you can help? I do find mfp can be both helpful and hindering to ed sufferers, if someone doesn't want to recover they will abuse this site, however they're many people trying to gain weight on mfp for a variety of reasons including recovery as well as lose weight for recovery or maintain a healthy weight.

I have found that a lot of the time monitoring your intake is a reassurance and can actually prevent negative ed traits occurring such as binging or purging or severe restricting as when I see what I'm eating I realise its not loads so I don't need to stress about it or if i'm eating too little I realise that I need to try eat something else or if I see myself getting into a binge mode.

I guess overall it depends on the persons stage in recovery and the type of eating disorder

It's a tough one. If they're in recovery, it could help them control what they're consuming (the need for control is a huge part of an ED person's life.

However if they are currently suffering from the ED I think MFP is the worst thing for them. Someone very close to me is anorexic (has been suffering badly for the past year, after about 4 years of living a "recovered" lifestyle). I don't have her on MFP. She says she's deleted her account but I doubt that's true, or at least I think she will have set up a new one.

Unfortunately there's nothing you can say or do that will make a difference. Just be there for him/her and be supportive. They'll only get better if they make that decision themselves. All we can do is be there.

You probably have very good reasons for thinking they have an ED. My advice is just to ignore it and move on, unless they have personally spoken directly to you about their eating disorder. If they have sought help from you, maybe just send them a little message and ask how they are going and if ask how they are coping with the ED. Just show kindness and don't jump the gun too much on it, it's a very sensitive topic. Social support is in my opinion, the best way to help anyone who is struggling.

Also, never assume someone has an eating disorder unless they have recently been diagnosed and/or told you so. I was perplexed by the number of female friends who accused me of having anorexia when I started to get into exercise and cal counting (even though I've only dropped 1.5kg). The vast majority of my female friends who I have told about my fitness goals seem to jump the gun and assume I have debilitating body issues, and then try to help me out of it. Which is sweet... But kinda of really off-putting. I no longer tell female friends about my fitness goals and achievements, because they assume you have to be overweight or crazy to attempt it.

/