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If you could cure one of these forever, which would you choose?
They are both proved to be mental disorders, one which makes you eat extreme amounts of food, whilst the other makes you eat extremely small amounts of food.
Since this required me to pick a side, I choose Obesity. It is a lack of self-control that causes the majority of obese people to become overweight. Anorexics have an extreme amount of self-control. If you speak with someone who is dealing with it, they will often say that they feel out of control when they eat. People who overeat constantly have thrown self-control out the window.
However. If I could cure anything concerning eating disorders, it would be to eliminate our preoccupation with food in general. Either extreme is unhealthy and both are certainly "disorders", though the mental health system doesn't exactly claim obesity as a problem. That is clear from some of the responses that don't consider it to be a disorder. It is certainly not healthy eating behavior and causes just as many negative side effects as anorexia.
Both stem from self-absorbance. Embracing the ego to such extremes is a huge problem for society. WE need to love ourselves first so we can love others. This is what will make our world, "a better place".
ALSO: those shows on television that promote over-eating disgust me and are an exemplification of excess in America. My opinion: I find anorexics to be far more aggressive in their approach to food. It's harder not to eat than it is to stuff your face. Either way, they are both accomplish the same thing: self-pacification for a hurting soul.
I would say this one because it affects more people. It also leads to many obesity-related conditions such as, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.
One, the more excess (unnecessary) food someone eats, the less is available for people who are starving.
Two, not to be crass, but someone who is a little too skinny is more attractive than someone who is a little too fat. Obviously either extreme is unattractive.
You are speaking from your own personal bias, though. Some would wholeheartedly disagree with you, saying skinny people are not at all attractive while those who have definitely put on some weight are the best-looking overall.
I was simply supportingb the statement You are speaking from your own personal bias, though. Some would wholeheartedly disagree with you, saying skinny people are not at all attractive while those who have definitely put on some weight are the best-looking overall. with evidence.
I said that both extremes were bad. People with anorexia are on a spectrum of severity. There is usually a point where while someone suffering from anorexia would be considered "a little too skinny" by doctors and most people; however at this point the person with anorexia will see themselves as over weight.
While obesity in and of its self isn't a mental disorder; there are plenty of mental issues that can lead a person to over eat and become obese.
Obesity itself is preventable. If someone has a mental disorder that causes them to eat; like depression for example, then that is what you'd want to cure.
Anorexia, since I for sure know it's a 'disorder'. I don't see how obesity can be a disorder by itself, though I won't deny some people are more inclined to become obese.
Perhaps I'm a bit biased since I know there is a community out there who seem to enjoy being bigger than smaller. They don't seem mentally ill to me.
Then I don't understand your issue with it. What I was saying is that I thought it possible that some people really can't stop themselves from eating, whether it's mentally or because something biological in their brain isn't firing right. This could be something as simple as missing or blocked receptors that tell the brain that the stomach is 'full', thus reducing the hormones inducing appetite.
With anorexia, however, I do not see that as being anything except a disorder. There are people who go on a diet, sure, but anorexia isn't a 'diet' in that sense. It's a disorder centered around that person's perception of their body, which is distorted.
I have no issue with anything. I was simply asking you a question.
How is eating to much any more of a disorder than not eating enough.
Because I don't. This could be something as simple as missing or blocked receptors that tell the brain that the stomach is 'full', thus reducing the hormones inducing appetite.
Isn't that a disorder then? You say it is simple. But a message being blocked is not something ''simple''. You know about people who don't feel pain? That is because the message the nerves send to the brain are being blocked, thus will that result in the person not feeling pain at all, which can be terrible.
Not getting the message that your stomach is full is a terrible inconvenient too.
Perhaps you're not reading what I'm saying. I am saying that all anorexics have a disorder, but not all obese people do. Some even prefer being a bit overweight to being 'too thin'. Including me, though at the moment I'm only 170.
you don't make any sense. Obese people don't have a disorder because obesity is not being recognized as a mental disorder yet. That doesn't mean that there is actually something mentally wrong with them, it only means that doctors won't diagnose them with a mental disorder.
And being ''too overweight'' and ''too thing'' has nothing to do with obesity or anorexia.
You mean you were actually trying to be coherent and reasonable? Somehow, I doubt it. If I have misunderstood the basis of the debate, the fault doesn't lie with me. It lies with your misleading question and description. You say they are disorders in the description, yet in the comments here you say that is not the case.
Me: Which would you choose to cure, obesity or anorexia
You: Anorexia is a disorder, obesity is are just blocked signals.
Me: Why is not eating enough too much of a disorder than eating too much
( I did mess that up, but I thought we cleared it up, maybe that's where things went wrong ) :)
You: Didn't you mean that the other way around?
Me: You said ''I don't see how obesity can be a disorder by itself''
You: What I was saying is this could be something as simple as missing or blocked receptors that tell the brain that the stomach is 'full', thus reducing the hormones inducing appetite.
Me: Not getting the message that your stomach is full is a terrible inconvenient too, shouldn't this be considered as a disorder?
You: I am saying that all anorexics have a disorder, but not all obese people do.
Me: Obese people don't have a disorder because obesity is not being recognized as a mental disorder yet. That doesn't mean that there is actually something mentally wrong with them, it only means that doctors won't diagnose them with a mental disorder.
Because usually Anorexia is a dietary problem. Not eating to less. Most Obese people out there eat too much or don't get enough exercise. Ever wonder why our grandparents were in good health? It's because they always worked. Today, mainly, people live a sedentary life style.
I'm not saying ALL Obesity isn't a disorder. I'm just saying the majority of Obesity is people not exercising.
Because usually Anorexia is a dietary problem. Not eating to less. Most Obese people out there eat too much or don't get enough exercise.
What makes you state this? Do you have something to back your claim up?
Ever wonder why our grandparents were in good health?
Our grandparents didn't have anorexia, they weren't obese either. So that's not a valid point to prove that anorexia is a disorder, and obesity is not.
I'm just saying the majority of Obesity is people not exercising.
Anorexia is considered to be a eating disorder and also by the fear of gaining weight. I saw this video of this woman that had that fear. And it wasn't just like you are I, she thought she was fat when her rib cage was showing. She didn't take a shower due to the fear of gaining water weight. She would eat A LOT of food 3 times a day only to throw up in the end.
Our grandparents didn't have anorexia, they weren't obese either. So that's not a valid point to prove that anorexia is a disorder, and obesity is not.
I'm stating the fact most of our grandparents were not sedentary. Most of them woke up and worked. Today we have computers, TVs, cell phones, etc. Therefore, our grandparents gained exercise through work.
(Not all of them but most of them. Mostly I'm point out how technology made us.
"I'm just saying the majority of Obesity is people not exercising."
Though I see that you usually never use sources, I will.
I'd give you sourced if you asked :)
Anorexia is considered to be a eating disorder and also by the fear of gaining weight. I saw this video of this woman that had that fear
I wasn't asking for a source proving that anorexia is a disorder. I know it is. I asked for a source for your statement, '' obesity is not a disorder ''. What makes you say that?
I'm stating the fact most of our grandparents were not sedentary. Most of them woke up and worked. Today we have computers, TVs, cell phones, etc. Therefore, our grandparents gained exercise through work.
(Not all of them but most of them. Mostly I'm point out how technology made us.
"I'm just saying the majority of Obesity is people not exercising."
Yeah but consider this.
Our grandparents are were not obese
Our grandparents didn't have anorexia either.
How does that prove that anorexia is any more of a disorder than obesity?
I wasn't asking for a source proving that anorexia is a disorder. I know it is. I asked for a source for your statement, '' obesity is not a disorder ''. What makes you say that?
Right now there is a huge debate wondering if it is a disease or not. However, I believe it is mainly a money issue.
Most people though just eat out of habit.
Yeah but consider this.
Our grandparents are were not obese
Our grandparents didn't have anorexia either.
How does that prove that anorexia is any more of a disorder than obesity?
The whole grandparent thing was went in hand with the why people are obese. The main reason is because of no exercise just like that that government website I just gave you.
Anorexia IS a disorder. Starvation is NOT considered anorexia.
Again, why do you say this? Do you know why ''most people'' eat? I mean come on, you can't just assume that they do it out of habit or blocked signals.
The whole grandparent thing was went in hand with the why people are obese. The main reason is because of no exercise just like that that government website I just gave you.
Anorexia IS a disorder. Starvation is NOT considered anorexia.
Yeah I know you gave it to me because of the exercise thing, but it doesn't make any sense since our grandparents didn't have anorexia either. I never said starvation is considered anorexia.
Again, why do you say this? Do you know why ''most people'' eat? I mean come on, you can't just assume that they do it out of habit or blocked signals.
One, it's basically common sense. Secondly, I gave you a link. Go read that link and you will see. While your at it, go read my past comments and it will fall together like a puzzle.
Yeah I know you gave it to me because of the exercise thing, but it doesn't make any sense since our grandparents didn't have anorexia either. I never said starvation is considered anorexia.
Never did I ever say our grandparents had anorexia. I just said they were not as obese as we are today.
One, it's basically common sense. Secondly, I gave you a link. Go read that link and you will see. While your at it, go read my past comments and it will fall together like a puzzle.
Your link didn't give me anything. Your link got me to a page about anorexia. I want to know why you think obesity is ''just a habit'', while anorexia is a real disorder. I don't know if it was you, but someone said obesity is a lot easier to control - then how come half of America weighs 400 pounds? How come for every 10 anorexics, there are 50 obese people?
Never did I ever say our grandparents had anorexia. I just said they were not as obese as we are today.
Omg, you don't get my point do you?
No, you didn't say our grandparents have anorexia.
They didn't.
So why do you use ''our grandparents weren't obese'' as an argument to show how obesity isn't a disorder, when our grandparents weren't anorectic either but still that is a disorder. Are you getting my point now?
Isn't anorexia more of a mental disorder; where as obesity is usually due to laziness and a poor diet? I'd love to "cure" obesity but it seems kind of difficult when it's already preventable.
Anorexia is a disorder and more of a phobia. Its definition says irrational fear of gaining weight. But obesity is something which can be controlled. in most cases atleast, there might only be a few persons who have it in something like a hereditary sort of way.
Like linuvarghese said obesity can be controlled. anorexia is a little harder to avoid as well because of what they put into magazines and stuff. People are submitted to too many "skinny" people through media and want to look like them it's a bit more common in my country as well (to my knowledge)