Rise of the 'almost anorexic': New book reveals one in 20 are afflicted by dangerous borderline eating disorders - that nobody notices

By Sadie Whitelocks

PUBLISHED: 12:45 EST, 22 March 2013 | UPDATED: 14:25 EST, 22 March 2013

A leading health expert has warned how one in twenty suffer from an eating disorder called 'almost anorexia', which often goes undetected.

In a new book Dr Jennifer Thomas, assistant professor of psychology at Harvard, reveals how people with the condition only display some symptoms of the full-syndrome, but the effects can be just as dangerous.

The five main signs include fluctuating weight, restrictive dieting, purging, binge eating and a negative body image and Dr Thomas explains that 'you probably know someone who’s struggling with it, if not yourself.'

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Widespread problem: A leading health expert has warned how one in twenty suffer from an undiagnosable eating disorder known as 'almost anorexia'

Widespread problem: A leading health expert has warned how one in twenty suffer from an undiagnosable eating disorder known as 'almost anorexia'

In her upcoming tome titled, Almost Anorexic: Is My (or My Loved One's) Relationship with Food a Problem? - which she co-authored with a recovered patient - Dr Thomas details how to understand and overcome the subclinical condition.

She highlights that it is a widespread problem in today's image-obsessed society, especially among women.

 

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However, many never receive help because they don’t meet the criteria for full-blown eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.

To be considered anorexic or bulimic in the medical world, Dr Thomas explains, in a series of YouTube videos, that a person must display three characteristics.

Words of advice: Dr Jennifer Thomas, assistant professor of psychology at Harvard, explains the relatively unknown condition 'almost anorexia'

Words of advice: Dr Jennifer Thomas, assistant professor of psychology at Harvard, explains the relatively unknown condition 'almost anorexia'

Firstly they must be severely underweight, with a BMI of 17.5 or less, and secondly they must have an 'intense' fear of 'becoming fat.'

This may involve persistent behavior to avoid gaining weight, such as vomiting, excessive exercise or counting calories.

'It’s not dieting to fit on to your prom dress... It’s really more of an unhealthy obsession with food'

Lastly they have to have a body image disturbance.

'So feeling fat, even though they're actually not, or denial of the seriousness of the illness.

'So maybe not realizing or appreciating all of the health consequences that can happen,' Dr Thomas describes.

According to statistics 1 in 200 adults have experienced full-blown anorexia.

But it is far more difficult to pinpoint how many have battled 'almost anorexia'.

Dr Thomas says: 'It’s not dieting to fit on to your prom dress... It’s really more of an unhealthy obsession with food, eating and calories.

Unraveling a mystery: Dr Thomas' book looks at eating disorders

Unraveling a mystery: Dr Thomas' book looks at eating disorders

'I would say that it's about one in 20, that’s what the studies really show... It's at least five times as common as anorexia itself.'

She warns that the eating disorder can lead to serious physical and psychological complications.

These can include low heart rate, low blood pressure, excess facial and body hair and a sensitivity to cold environments.

Patients may also experience feelings of depression, loneliness and fatigue.

Like anorexia, 'almost anorexics' can die from their restrictive habits.

'Some studies have actually shown that having a subclinical eating disorder actually confers just as high a mortality rate as having a full-syndrome eating disorder,' Dr Thomas points out.

For people with friends or loved ones, who display and unhealthy attitude to food, she advises sitting them down and talking about it.

But rather than 'point out all the things they’re doing wrong,' she said it is important to express concern.

Writing down a list of pros and cons of their behavior might also highlight what is most important.

But these methods might not work with those who genuinely believe there are benefits to their lifestyle, especially if they receive compliments on their weight-loss.

Although there is no single cause for an eating disorder Dr Thomas says that genes and the environment play a major role.

'Genes load the gun, the environment pulls the trigger,' she said.

Almost Anorexic: Is My (or My Loved One's) Relationship with Food a Problem?, published by Hazelden,  will be available from July 23

 
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How funny a fat woman is talking about this subject!

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Oh, the irony. THe body shape extolled by DM and other vacuous fashion magazines makes people underweight.

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hang on, I thought we were all dangerously obese?

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Oh believe me. Everyone notices. And guys think skeleton girls are a big turn off.

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lets just wait for everyone to blame it on models... :(

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This is me. obsessed with everything I eat and how much exercise I do and whether I look fat or not. Then get out of control and binge and feel sick with guilt and either go mad at the gym or fast. Constant worry every day. It sucks.

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so what? my daughter had that and came out the other end healthy and has a degree and masters in psychology.She had an obsession with fa free foods but I being a step ahead of her used to add a few spoons of butter to her fat free spaghetti.My aim always was that she would not get undernourished so I added this and that to her meals and I would STRONGLY advise other parents to do the same.YOU HAVE TO BE AS CUNNING AS THEM.never mind bringing them to psychiatrists..Try and get sufficient nutrients into them WITHOUT them knowing .TRy it It worked for me

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Skeptical @ first, but, having a very close friend that is suffering from this disease, it's frustrating, confusing and heart-breaking. Everyone has the right to their opinion however, some people like my friend do NOT want to be models. She just can't hold anything down.

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I was surviving on 400 calories a day at one point followed by bingeing and exercising for 4 hours a day. The doctor told me there was nothing wrong with me because I wasn't underweight. I was a size 0 and every bone jutted out but I weighed 8 stone still. I went on to become depressed and suicidal and only my husband not giving up on me and eventually finding a therapist who would take me seriously helped me get better. This article is so true and needs to be addressed as I feel for the young girls growing up in today's society.

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Or how about everytime some super skinny girl posts a pic on Intagram all her friends tell her how "perfect" she is.

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