Girl Power

A girl who is anorexic feels such a loss of control over her life that she starves herself. She cannot see her true self, so she may exercise way too much or find ways to hide the fact that she is not eating. A girl who is bulimic continually binges and purges when she eats. She may eat a whole bag of cookies and a quart of ice cream when no one is around, then she will force herself to throw up all the food she has just eaten.

Anorexia and bulimia have very serious health risks. They can cause injury to the stomach lining, ulcers, kidney and heart problems, even death. If you or someone you know may have anorexia or bulimia, it is necessary to get help. There are many good treatments for these serious eating disorders. To find a professional who can help, talk to an adult, such as a parent, a family member, a school counselor, or a teacher right away. Or, contact an organization such as the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders or Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. They will help direct you to a good treatment program.

There's no Magic Wand...

If you don't like how you look or you want to become stronger and fitter, you can make positive changes. Set some fitness goals! You can exercise, play sports, or go for walks with friends. Find something you are good at doing that will make you proud of yourself.

You can also learn more about how to choose foods for a healthy diet. Good information is available about weight control and exercise programs that are healthy and that work. When you go for a medical exam, you can ask your doctor for a well-balanced eating plan that makes sense for you. School nurses and home economics teachers could also help with materials on a healthy eating plan. After finding out how to choose healthy foods, everyone needs to use common sense. A diet based on chips, candy, and diet soda is not going to give anyone vitamins and nutrients important for good health.

Check out the balance of daily foods recommended by the Food Guide Pyramid. This is a practical tool that will help you choose what and how much to eat from each food group. This way, you get the nutrients you need and not too many calories. Experiment with different foods. Consider trying new foods, such as exotic fruits like mangoes, papayas, and kiwis. Change your lunch routine by making colorful sandwiches with tomatoes, avocados, alfalfa sprouts, and kiwis. Look through magazines for healthy recipes, and show off your cooking skills to your family.