It is a 'social epidemic': according to the latest data from the Italian Society for the Study of Eating Disorders, 1,680,456 new cases of eating disorders
were recorded in 2023 alone
.
How to fight it?
Nutrition plays a fundamental role in the prevention of eating disorders:
correct nutritional education, a non-restrictive approach to food and support for general health can significantly contribute to the prevention of these increasingly frequent disorders.
But how can we act to help prevent the onset of eating disorders and what is the role of the nutritionist in this regard?
«The role of the nutritionist is fundamental in working on primary prevention by correcting incorrect eating habits in the bud.
Another aspect on which he can intervene is secondary prevention (early diagnosis), directing the patient and/or family towards a correct therapeutic path.
The nutritionist also helps with re-education through correct nutrition, also making use of the collaboration of other specialists such as psychologists, gastroenterologists, psychiatrists, internal medicine specialists and endocrinologists.
It is therefore important that the nutritionist also acts in a preventive way" states Ilenia Greco, nutritional biologist on the occasion of the National Lilac Bow Day, dedicated to raising awareness and information on Nutrition and Eating Disorders (DNA), on 15 March.
CULTURAL INFLUENCE ON EATING HABITS
«DNA can be seen as a "social epidemic", that is, as psychic disorders that also find a cause in socio-cultural changes, so much so that they manifest discomfort or suffering shared by a part of the population.
Another aspect that can become negative is
the image of the perfect body,
which is sometimes represented by social media through models that emerge and penetrate social life, influencing both the evaluation criteria of oneself and those of others.
Furthermore, many people aspire to these ideals and standards of beauty and, when they notice that they are unable to reach them, they may feel ashamed and dissatisfaction with their body.
And this inevitably leads to questioning the way we eat, often considered the main cause of dissatisfaction" continues the nutritionist.
THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF RESTRICTIVE DIETS
Extremely restrictive diets often drastically limit the intake of essential nutrients
, leading to an imbalance in the diet.
For example, low-carbohydrate diets can deprive the body of a crucial source of energy, while extremely low-fat diets can prevent the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
These imbalances can have negative effects on health, compromising the functioning of the immune system, metabolism and cardiovascular health.
For example, the increase in cases of hypothalamic amenorrhea in adolescents should not be underestimated, mainly due to a restrictive diet, where often in addition to macronutrients, micro nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, essential for the reproductive system, are also penalized.
HOW TO PREVENT AND RE-EDUCATE NUTRITION
The introduction of healthy eating habits can prevent pathologies that can form even at a young age such as osteopenia, which is the reduction of bone mass due to inadequate synthesis of the matrix due to dietary deprivation.
In particular, long-term nutritional deficiencies of calcium, potassium, magnesium and, above all, vitamin D.
More specifically, to re-educate a patient about nutrition, the presence of a multidisciplinary team capable of carrying out an assessment is necessary. multidimensional diagnostics (psychiatric, psychological, internal medicine and nutritional) and which can propose treatment models capable of addressing the specific psychopathology of the disorder and any associated psychiatric, internal medicine and nutritional comorbidity.
The first step, often the most difficult, is to identify the problem or realize it.
WHICH NUTRIENTS ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE PREVENTION OF EATING DISORDERS?
HERE'S WHAT WE SHOULD PUT ON OUR PLATE TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH, ACCORDING TO THE NUTRITIONIST:
1. Whole Grains: Complex carbohydrates in oats, brown rice and quinoa stabilize blood sugar levels and promote a balanced gut microbiota.
2. Fruits and Vegetables: provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, promoting beneficial bacteria and reducing harmful bacteria in the intestine.
3. Nuts and Seeds: Rich in nutrients, they support brain function and nourish the microbiota.
4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseeds, help reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.
5. Lean Proteins: Lean meat, poultry and plant proteins provide amino acids for the production of neurotransmitters.
6. Prebiotics: Non-digestible fibers that nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut, reducing stress, anxiety and depression.
7. Probiotics: live organisms that maintain the health of the gut microbiota and positively influence the gut-brain axis.
8. Water: Maintaining adequate hydration is essential for brain and gut health.
9. Dark Chocolate: taken in moderation, it can improve mood thanks to antioxidants.
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