Gentlemen you may need to put the cutlery down for this ― Researchers at the Cornell Food and Brand lab have found out that overeating in social situations can lead to weight gain in men, this can be an eating disorder, a binge eating disorder. Even though men do not realise their gluttony, it is seen as an indirect demonstration of their strength. Thank our caveman instincts for that trait.
The new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers asked college students with similar weights to participate either in a chicken wings eating contest with spectators or in a competition without them. Though the prize was a plastic medal, competitors indulged in overeating 4 times more than normal. Students who ate in presence of an audience consumed 30% times more food than those without any spectators and found the entire “Man vs Food” challenge ‘exhilarating’, ‘cool’ and ‘exciting’. The cause of over eating disorders is unknown. Usually, people with compulsive eating disorders use food as a medium of coping with unwanted stress.
Symptoms of binge eating disorder:
- Eating more food in the same setting
- No control over the food you eat
- Feeling upset after overeating
- Binge eating episode at least once a week for an average of 3 months
Here are some interesting facts on eating disorders:
- Around more than 70 million people in the world today are battling eating disorders.
- It is more common in women than men.
- Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate in mental illnesses.
- Obese people are at a higher risk of developing binge eating disorders.
- One out of five women have struggled with an eating disorder in the past.
- The risk of alcohol and substance abuse increases by 4 times when associated with an eating disorder.
Overcoming binge eating disorder
The latest research by Cornell University focuses on how people can get tricked into social eating and how techniques can help redesign their food urges in a social environment.
It begins by choosing a smaller plate, or by cutting your food into smaller pieces, turning off the TV while you eat or even better ― don’t leave for shopping on an empty stomach. Sometimes taking a simple cue from the environment can play an even bigger role for e.g.: when your plate is surrounded by empty food platters you feel fuller after eating.
Focusing on the conversation would be more appetizing instead of the food. It is not just about the family dinners, but the people that are present. When at a buffet, a second serving should be for a small serving of dessert or a cup of coffee.
You and your therapist need to identity the reason for your compulsive eating disorder so that a real plan can be brought into action. Next part of the plan is to get a diet and exercise plan sorted by your nutritionist and gym instructor.
Next time you need to show off your macho style, challenge your friends to a game of Scrabble instead of number of beers one can down.
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Related article :When your genes become your personal food stylist.
