Is MFP a breeding gound for eating disorders
Replies
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Unless someone is very short (so that 120 is a healthy weight) 1200 is not a reasonable calorie goal.
I believe 5'4 is still the average height for a woman in the US, and 120 is a perfectly healthy weight for someone of that height. Indeed, it's a fine weight for someone 5'5 or even 5'6, depending on build. Thus, if you want to tell everyone they should eat 10x their goal weight (which seems to me a pretty problematic way of determining what someone should eat--I average around 1700 and have been losing nearly 2 lbs/week, and my goal is 120), then you can't really complain that lots of people are going to eat 1200.
Given my build, 110 would be a reasonable and healthy goal weight, although I'm probably going to focus more on building muscle when I get to 120 or around there.0 -
People whose EDs make them fat can talk all day long about how they weigh 225 and ate 6,000 calories that day and the post will be met with sympathetic advice.
Advice, because they are trying to change this. See the difference?Say, "I'm an emotional eater" and you'll get a bunch of Me Toos.
Yes, I frequently say "me too, and this is what's helped me break that pattern" and go on to give advice, as I think the person wants to change that, not to be cheered on in emotional eating. I would probably say don't beat yourself up, as I don't think feeling shame or beating yourself up over food helps get over EDs of whatever sort, including even just the emotional eating cycle.Say, "I had a bad day and ate double my allotted calories and you'll hear, "Oh, you poor thing. Life happens." But say that you never break 1.000 and watch the crap hit the fan.
See the lack of equivalence here?
If I said "I'm depressed about a breakup and have no appetite" I'd get lots of help on how to deal with that, like the emotional eating example. If I said "I feel like I don't know what to eat and can't make 1200" I'd get obnoxious posts, yes, but lots of helpful advice too (I try to give the latter, so I know it is given, and I see others doing it too). But if I said "I never eat more than 900 and don't eat back exercise, since I lose faster that way" I'd not get supported and it would likely be deleted. One is a struggle with a problem and one is something else.It's only the people whose unhealthy relationship with food makes them skinny that can't discuss it. If your ED makes you fat, you're good to go.
People struggling with EDs that cause them to lose seem to be able to discuss it. They just can't do so in a way that seems to encourage or enable it, for obvious reasons. This is not a pro ana site.0 -
Agreed I started dieting/ not eating when I was in 7th grade back in the early 90s....long before mfpEating disorders are sad, I agree. When I started on this site I didn't pick up on anything that seemed to "promote" me to eat anything less than the what I entered a my daily calorie allowance.
Agreed, someone could use the site for that, but I don't see how this is "promoted".
I didn't say that eating disorders are promoted I said that the tools used to lose weight could be used wrongly by people with eating disorders. I actually said that MFP promotes heathly eating, please re-read my post. FYI the only edit was to change an 'a' to an 'are'.
You do realize eating disorders were around before MFP and they found ways to do the exact same thing pre MFP right?
There are lots of places on the internet now where the tools are used to help those who are in the throws of an ED continue down their path...instagram, pintrest, FB (groups) any weight loss site
pre internet they were more alone perhaps but they still did what they did....0 -
I don't believe MFP is a breeding ground for eating disorders, if anything I think this is the place people can go to and learn how to develop a healthy relationship with food.
I've known several people (including myself at one point in my life) where I thought I would have to do something extreme in order to lose weight, it couldn't have been as simple as just counting the calories. after joining weight watchers then transitioning to fitness pal I found that I can actually enjoy all of my favorite foods just in moderation and make myself accountable for my food choices.
With calorie counting, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods but you need to practice moderation and be accountable for your food choices.0 -
Didn't read all the replies, but this why there is that warning that people get so pissed off about. You know, the one when you eat under 1200 or so calories and it tells you that you're not eating enough. It's there for this very reason, as a method to deter those with and ED. They can't see how much they might weigh in 5 weeks, so it's one less thing to enable them.
And that is why people who complain about it usually get smacked down.0 -
There will always be someone who does something contrary to what's being advertised.
So I wouldn't say it's a breeding ground, but it might act as a magnet?0 -
Ifs a breeding ground for anything, its affairs0
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LolzSo... by that logic... is babycenter.com where people go to GET pregnant? a LITERAL breeding ground?0 -
Anything that can be used, can be abused. MFP is no exception.
Absolutely agree with this. If we started doing away with things just because people abuse/misuse it, then there'd be nothing left. Every inanimate thing has the potential and is probably abused/misused by at least one person. That doesn't mean you get rid of it. You can try to help others but if they don't want help then it doesn't matter what the thing is, they're going to misuse it. But that doesn't mean that MFP or any other weight loss site is a breeding ground for anything. Especially MFP. Posters are consistent in telling people "you're eating too little, go see a doctor". That's one of the things I actually like about this site.0 -
I don't believe that MFP creates eating disorders. If someone already has one, it might trigger or enable it, but that's not MFP's fault.
Exactly - if somebody has the genetic pre-disposition for an eating disorder, anything - MFP, Seventeen magazine, etc. - could potentially trigger them. While the content would be potentially triggering, that doesn't mean it's to blame; we need more education about eating disorders and more funding for both treatment & research.
I have seen plenty of threads on here where people discuss recovery and getting help for their conditions. People with that mentality are going to have it regardless of where they go. At least vocalizing it here would mean potentially getting their hands on resources to recover. What they do with those resources is up to them, but some people are willfully the way that they are.0 -
I am a person with an eating disorder, I own it and MFP is helping me to deal with it. I am in recovery; and this is but one tool in my tool box of recovery. Thank you to MFP for making this program available to me.0
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Ifs a breeding ground for anything, its affairs
Is there something you'd like to get off your chest?0 -
An eating disorder can come from and be aided by almost anything.
But if you use the site in the way you're supposed to no one should have to worry about it.0 -
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Sometimes I think it's a breeding ground for 'overly ordered' eating. I guess it would actually fall under orthorexia, in a way. But it's obsession with the numbers moreso than the health aspects of the foods.
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/orthorexia-nervosa0 -
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MFP is a breeding ground for mean people, torso avi's, and bacon.
The only thing better than bacon, is when bacon breeds with bacon and gives us more bacon.
And also the other stuff you said is muy true as well. Though I think we need fewer or the two former. Just a personal preference...0 -
I like this, but to be devils advocate your decision making ability may be structured by past experiences and nurture.0 -
No more than a school classroom, a set of office cubicles, or a walk down any street in America.0
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Anything can be used negatively.0
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I have an eating disorder. At the moment I am using MFP for the wrong reasons, which is to track calories. I know that deleting the app, for me, will mark a significant step in my recovery. This is a long way off, but I couldn't contemplate hitting the right target, or being above it. At the moment, only getting the "you're not eating enough message" is acceptable to me.
However this is personal to me, and my eating disorder certainly did not begin as a result of using my fitness pal. What I will say is that listening to my body, knowing that some days it needs more calories than others, some days enjoying snacks at an impromptu get togethers with friends, or just having a bar of chocolate because I fancy it etc... thats the ultimate aim.
I think it is an enabler, but if it wasn't for MFP I would log calories in/out manually anyway. Its not to blame. If someone is going to develop an ED, it won't happen solely because of MFP. It could be a trigger for relapse or for someone who was going to develop one anyway.0 -
I have recently acquired some new pals with eating disorders and some are really trying their best to over come it and others are cheering the post that says i resisted eating today. Sometimes i really dislike the like button as not even sure if some people are reading exactly what they are liking. I guess everyone deep down knows why they are on this site, but I suspect some are really up to no good. Professional help is inorder not MFP.0
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i agree with some aspects I really wish MFP would reword the "you are undercalories"0
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I have used a variety of trackers over the years. Everydayhealth has one (which isn't very reliable), as does livestrong.com, a much more popular site. I can't see how MFP is any more of an enabler than any of these other products. I've seen articles and promos for some pretty dangerous diets on the two other sites.0
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Here is my personal take. MFP is a tool, how the user intends to utilize its functions is solely on them. Neither you nor I can control that. Personally, this tool alone does not breed disorders (IMO).
Now, people who promote ED's, their post are deleted and the threads are addressed (closed and/or moved off the main forums). If someone has an ED, binge issue or feels this site is leading to an ED, we evaluate the entire thread. If the thread has a lot of people who encourage recovery, provide helpful information and support, then we let it stay up (in fact, I generally join threads just to ensure they get all the information they deserve). Although, there is a huge difference between encouraging disorder eating and mentioning you have one. I have been in hundreds of threads where users get a lot of support to get help. Even in the past week, I have joined threads where I posted this link: http://myfitnesspal.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/1575987-eating-disorder-resources
In terms of group that support disorder habits, they are not allowed either. But we cannot take action until they are brought to our attention. Please keep in mind, there are a handful of mods to address all the issues on this board. Considering there are thousands of new post and a lot of new groups a day, we can only do as much as our users bring to our attention or I stumble upon during my daily post whoring.0 -
I just want to give my input. About a year and a half ago, I was in the most extreme stage of my eating disorder. I absolutely was not using MFP the way it was intended to be used. (Connecting with members who were just as or more obsessed than I was, looking for "motivation" and "advice" for losing more weight in terribly unhealthy ways, etc., etc. We've all seen profiles like that.) I had added friends in recovery, but sometimes even that would be a trigger if they were more sick or a lower weight than I was. I had deleted the app and forced myself to stop counting calories as a start to legitimately trying to recover.
Fast forward to now. I am at a healthy weight but starting recovery again. First thing I noticed the other day, the "You are not likely not eating enough" message.
Thank you.
I used to obsess over the extremely low five week estimate that would appear after a day of extreme caloric deficiency. Admittedly, I was curious what it would be as I was unable to eat much that day due to nause from new medication. But after the initial slight disappointment, a sigh of relief and a feeling of gratitude.
Everything MFP has been doing since I last used to disuade users from sharing negative disordered eating information is very much appreciated.
Short answer to the topic question, I agree with what many have said. If a person has disordered eating habits or thoughts, there are many places on the internet to find triggers. MFP is an excellent tool for weight loss, exercise, and general health. There is so much good advice on the boards for living a healthy lifestyle.
And if anyone reading this wants someone to talk to about their eating disorder or recovery, please feel free to add/message me. For support, advice, someone to talk to who isn't in your personal life, anything. I want to help.0 -
Ok so recovering bulemic here. It happened about 11 years ago. I KNOW that if I'm not smart about my weight loss it can trigger my obsessive eating disorder thoughts and I start going all crazy. But that's why when I'm trying to get back into eating healthy or losing weight I go in carefully. I don't start until I feel at peace and my body says "now is the time". I make sure that I set correct and healthy calorie goals and track them carefully with MFP BUT not TOO carefully. If I go over I don't allow myself to feel guilt or shame. I accept it and try to be on goal the next day.
I am VERY aware that I am now at a higher risk of slipping back into an eating disorder when trying to lose weight and I know that's unhealthy. So I stay zen with the whole thing. This time around i havnt even started weighing or measuring myself. I'm focused soley on re-establishing a healthy relationship with food. ( by this I mean not snacking constantly on the job since I work by myself at night and am always eating chips and pop etc). I will eventually start to weigh and measure but not until I feel certain that it's "safe".
I guess my point is. At 18 I was actively bulemic. I'm 28 tomorrow and I understand that it's like being a recovering alcoholic, I may always be at risk. But to me MFP is a healthy and positive environment that helps keep my mind right while I navigate a potential mine field. I need to lose... Want to lose about 80lbs. I'm up over 200. But I'm going to do it slowly and happily, in moderation with the least amount of shame possible, (cause everyone has a sad day or two). I think this place is really great. I LOVE the challenge of hitting my macros. It makes me feel like a bad *kitten* body builder lol. And when I logged my workout today I felt like a god! It was my first workout in like, a year. Kickboxing class, woot woot.
I don't want to be skinny, imma curvy black mamma, my goal is 150lbs. I want to just get back to being strong and fit. But in my attempt to be the healthiest version of me I just have to be careful to not let unhealthy thoughts sneak in.
Just sharing my thoughts as someone that's struggled with an eating disorder.0 -
I think if they are predisposed to having an unhealthy relationship with food, then if its not MFP it will be another aid, or a note book and pen hidden under their bed, I have been there, admittedly many moons ago ( hence the secret note book ref ) and i find now MFP is encouraging me to make better choices and gives me decent healthy guidelines. I find it a great help to see my fat/carbs etc intake, and if anything it has stopped my old habits of starving myself kicking in. But that is only my personal view point, but I can see how it becomes a little obsessive but as i have already admitted i am predisposed to that mind set. As humans we will adapt anything to work to our advantage given the chance, and any tool can be used either way i guess.0
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Ok so recovering bulemic here. It happened about 11 years ago. I KNOW that if I'm not smart about my weight loss it can trigger my obsessive eating disorder thoughts and I start going all crazy. But that's why when I'm trying to get back into eating healthy or losing weight I go in carefully. I don't start until I feel at peace and my body says "now is the time". I make sure that I set correct and healthy calorie goals and track them carefully with MFP BUT not TOO carefully. If I go over I don't allow myself to feel guilt or shame. I accept it and try to be on goal the next day.
I am VERY aware that I am now at a higher risk of slipping back into an eating disorder when trying to lose weight and I know that's unhealthy. So I stay zen with the whole thing. This time around i havnt even started weighing or measuring myself. I'm focused soley on re-establishing a healthy relationship with food. ( by this I mean not snacking constantly on the job since I work by myself at night and am always eating chips and pop etc). I will eventually start to weigh and measure but not until I feel certain that it's "safe".
I guess my point is. At 18 I was actively bulemic. I'm 28 tomorrow and I understand that it's like being a recovering alcoholic, I may always be at risk. But to me MFP is a healthy and positive environment that helps keep my mind right while I navigate a potential mine field. I need to lose... Want to lose about 80lbs. I'm up over 200. But I'm going to do it slowly and happily, in moderation with the least amount of shame possible, (cause everyone has a sad day or two). I think this place is really great. I LOVE the challenge of hitting my macros. It makes me feel like a bad *kitten* body builder lol. And when I logged my workout today I felt like a god! It was my first workout in like, a year. Kickboxing class, woot woot.
I don't want to be skinny, imma curvy black mamma, my goal is 150lbs. I want to just get back to being strong and fit. But in my attempt to be the healthiest version of me I just have to be careful to not let unhealthy thoughts sneak in.
Just sharing my thoughts as someone that's struggled with an eating disorder.
I totally agree with what you have put, i was anorexic in my youth, and have always had a love hate relationship with food, MFP def helps me stay on the right side of the tracks.
thank you for sharing your experience x0 -
Nope,
MFP not a breeding ground for ED's.
A tool is a tool,
Can walk down street, find a big piece of wood.
Most will see that piece of wood and think to use it for something positive, burn it, chip it, make it into something, but will always get a minority few who will pick it up and use it to kill someone with.
Just 1 of those sad facts of life0
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