ANXIETY IN EATING DISORDERS

Contrary to popular belief, the mental disorder with the highest mortality rate is not schizophrenia or even depression, but eating disorders. According to Dr. John Grohol with PsychCentral, about 90 percent of those who develop the top three eating disorders—anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating— are girls and young women in their teens and 20s, most displaying symptoms during adolescence. It is said the stress of transitioning from childhood to adulthood can trigger the onset of such a disease. If there were some miracle method to determine which of us is likely to develop an eating disorder, it might be possible to prevent the staggering number of deaths related to eating disorders. Shockingly, up to 20 percent of those suffering from an eating disorder will suffer until it takes their lives, according to Mirror-mirror.org.

A common symptom of bulimia nervosa is the compulsion to purge after eating, and child psychiatrists estimate a staggering 13 percent of high school girls purge. The occurrence of such behavior has doubled since the 60s and is hurting younger and younger groups of girls. Childhood anxiety is considered an important factor in the probability of a young person developing an eating disorder. Researchers claim to have discovered a strong link between eating disorders and anxiety that suggests treatment of the eating disorder along with the underlying anxiety could increase the rate of recovery. If this is true, treating anxiety at a young age might prevent the onset of an eating disorder later in life. According to Craig Johnson of the Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, one third of those struggling with an eating disorder have, in the past, suffered some form of anxiety, like obsessive compulsive disorder, with symptoms displayed years before the eating disorder itself.

While only 13 to 30 percent of healthy women experience anxiety, psychiatrist Walter H. Kaye at the University of Pittsburgh says an unbelievable 66 percent of those suffering from eating disorders experience anxiety, and among the patients with an eating disorder, the anxiety is not only present throughout the term of the eating disorder, but persists even after recovery. Women undergoing eating disorder treatment who are not diagnosed with any anxiety disorders display anxiety traits, the most obvious of which is perfectionism. Anxiety in children is something not to be ignored, as it can lead to much more serious and life-threatening problems. Anxiety can be a precursor to depression, but it is suspected to be a risk factor for the development of eating disorders. The idea that the risk of an eating disorder onset can possibly be prevented by the combat of anxiety early in life through cognitive behavior therapy is only a small comfort considering the mortality rate among those suffering with an eating disorder.

Tomato Basil Chicken

SERVES 4

Spread your wings toward better health with juicy chicken breasts that are served in a decadent tomato basil sauce. This healthy and nutritious recipe is an excellent summer dish, and you won’t have to spend all day in the kitchen preparing this meal. There’s nothing better than satisfying your appetite and eating a nutritious meal at the same time.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Heat butter or oil.

2. Add the chicken breasts to the pan.

3. Add the tomatoes to the pan.

4. Cook the chicken for about three minutes on both sides (depending on the thickness), or until fully cooked and reaches 165 degrees.

5. During the last minute of cooking, add the basil and garlic. Give it a toss.

“My favorite thing to do is teach how to cook easy, healthy, budget-friendly meals with minimal ingredients!”

Jaime Alonso, certified health coach

I received my initial training and certification as a wellness coach at Spencer Institute. I then continued my training as a health coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s cutting-edge health coach training program. During my training, I studied over 100 dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovating coaching methods with some of the world’s top health and wellness experts. My teachers included Dr. Andrew Weil, director of The Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine; Dr. Deepak Chopra, leader in the field of mind-body medicine; Dr. David Katz, director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center; Dr. Walter Willet, chair of nutrition at Harvard University; Geenan Roth, best-selling author and expert on emotional eating; and many other leading researchers and nutrition authorities.

My responsibility at TNT is to help you create a “sustainable” lifestyle change. Meeting you where you are in your journey and equipping you with practical tools to grow and learn new strategies; teaching you how to shop and meal plan; helping you create new ideas; and learning how to go out to eat are a few of the hands-on lessons you receive. I teach you how to life well for life!