This blog will talk about Meredith Foster and her Eating Disorder, and also cover topics like who is Meredith Foster, what eating disorders are, the types of eating disorders, symptoms, treatment, and answer frequently asked questions.
Does Meredith Foster have an Eating Disorder?
No, Meredith Foster has quite openly denied being suffering from an eating disorder but people are not convinced because she lost a significant amount of weight through a specific diet plan which seemed too good to be true.
She has however been open about her disordered eating patterns and eating-related issues and how she overcame that on her healing journey.
Before we get into the depths of who Meredith Foster is and her struggles with an eating disorder, let us first have a working knowledge of eating disorders.
What are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are a range of complicated mental health disorders that can substantially affect health and social functioning. They are officially classed as “feeding and eating disorders” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Eating disorders can cause both emotional discomfort and serious medical issues due to the physical nature of their distinctive symptoms. In addition, they have the greatest fatality rate of any mental illness.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are many different types of feeding and eating disorders, each with its own set of characteristics and diagnostic criteria. The following are the eating disorders that have been formally recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diseases (DSM-5), the standard reference for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders used by mental health clinicians.
Anorexia Nervosa
The most well-known eating disorder is anorexia nervosa. It usually appears in youth or early adulthood, and it affects more women than males Even if they’re dangerously underweight, people with anorexia perceive themselves as overweight. They tend to keep a close eye on their weight, avoid particular foods, and carefully limit their calorie intake.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia, like anorexia, appears to be less common in males than in women and develops between adolescence and early adulthood. People with Bulimia Nervosa commonly consume unusually large amounts of food in a short period of time. Each binge eating episode usually lasts until the person is completely satisfied. During a binge, the person usually feels unable to stop eating or regulate the amount of food consumed. Binges can occur with any type of food, although they are most common with things that the person would ordinarily avoid. Bulimia sufferers then purge to make up for the calories they’ve consumed and to alleviate stomach pain. Forced vomiting, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and excessive urination are all examples of purging practices.
Binge Eating Disorder
One of the most frequent eating disorders, especially in the United States, is binge eating disorder. It usually starts in youth or early adulthood, but it can occur at any time. Symptoms of this disorder are comparable to those of bulimia or the anorexia subtype of binge eating. For example, individuals frequently consume unusually large amounts of food in a short period of time and experience a loss of control during binges. People with binge eating disorders do not restrict calories or use purging behaviours, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, to compensate for their binges.
Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Although the symptoms of various eating disorders vary widely, there are several that may warrant further investigation. Furthermore, if your food, weight, or body image-related thoughts and/or habits are causing you distress and affecting your everyday functioning, it’s time to seek treatment.
- Restriction of food intake
- Weight fluctuations on a regular basis or being substantially underweight
- Body image issues
- Binge eating is prevalent.
- Avoiding food altogether.
- Excessive exercise is frequent.
- Purging, laxative, or diuretic usage is present.
- Excessive eating, body image, and weight-related thoughts
Meredith Foster and her Eating Disorder
Meredith Foster, aka StilaBabe09, is a popular lifestyle and beauty blogger from Los Angeles. She was accused of having an eating disorder after beginning a new fitness and diet plan that saw her already petite figure shrink even further.
Meredith took to YouTube in July 2017 to address the claims, vehemently denying that she had a problem. However, in 2018 she shared a video with her fans revealing that she has previously had ‘negative thoughts’ about her figure. She shared a video of herself eating an In-N-Out burger for the first time in two years.
Meredith admits to feeling a lot of pressure as a teenage YouTuber. Though her life may appear luxurious to others, she was bullied so severely because of her passion that she was forced to drop out of public school.
Meredith soon fell in with the wrong crowd, made some poor mistakes (e.g., drinking too much and sleeping with the wrong guy), and for the first time began to be concerned about her body’s size and shape.
She said “I did not have very many friends. I was kind of a loner from the get-go until I kind of found myself being thrown into this friend group … definitely a clique. I remember feeling very out of place. I did not like this friend group at all.”
Meredith, like so many of us, was concerned that something was wrong with her body, particularly the way the males she was dating (or flirting with or hooking up with) perceived it.
So, under the cover of “becoming healthier,” she began eating and exercising, but quickly lost an alarming amount of weight as she succumbed to diet culture’s pressures. Her intense exercise routine even caused her to miss her period.
Meredith eventually found a therapist with whom she tried to overcome her eating issue; nevertheless, she never went to a treatment facility. Faith and exercise, on the other hand, were crucial in her recovery.
Meredith believes she had a vision from God while on a wellness retreat, which inspired her to seek treatment for her eating disorder and become an advocate for other women who are concerned about their body image and fitness routine.
Meredith now manages the Instagram account @babessquat, where she narrates her recovery and uses fitness to inspire young women to be #strongnotskinny.
She added: ‘This is a place with no judgment. This is a place to inspire each other, share ideas, and spread words of encouragement. At the end of the day, our bodies are just a vessel for the soul. Treat your body the way you want your soul to be treated; gently, with love, and tenderness.’
Causes of Eating Disorders
The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. As with other mental illnesses, there may be many causes, such as:
Biology and genetics
Certain people may be predisposed to eating disorders due to genetic factors. Eating disorders may be caused by biological reasons such as changes in brain chemistry.
Mental and emotional issues
Eating disorder sufferers may have psychological and emotional issues that exacerbate the disorder. Low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsive behavior, and strained relationships are all possibilities.
Prevalence Rate of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders affect up to 5% of the population, and they are most common throughout adolescence and early adulthood. Although some, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are more common in women, they can affect anyone at any age. Food, weight, or shape obsessions, as well as anxiety over eating or the consequences of eating certain foods, are typically associated to eating disorders. Eating disorders are characterised by restrictive eating or avoidance of specific foods, binge eating, purging by vomiting or laxative overuse, and compulsive exercise. These habits can become compelled to the point of addiction.
Risk factors associated with Eating disorders
The following things may increase your chances of developing an eating disorder:
- History of the family
People who have had an eating disorder before or whose parents or siblings have had an eating disorder are far more likely to develop one themselves.
- Other types of mental illnesses
An anxiety disorder, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder are common in people with eating disorders.
- Dieting and starvation
Dieting has been linked to the development of eating disorders. Starvation has an effect on the brain, causing mood swings, inflexible thinking, anxiety, and a decrease in appetite. Many of the signs of an eating disorder are simply indicators of famine, according to studies. In vulnerable individuals, starvation and weight loss may alter the way the brain works, perpetuating restrictive eating practises and making it difficult to return to regular eating habits.
- Stress
Change can cause stress, which can raise your chance of developing an eating disorder, whether it’s going to college, moving, starting a new career, or dealing with a family or relationship issue.
Treatment of Eating Disorders
Treatment plans for eating disorders are made according to individual needs. Doctors, nutritionists, nurses, and therapists will almost certainly be part of your support team. The following therapies may be used:
Individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy
Psychotherapy may be provided to an individual, a group, or a family. Cognitive behavioural techniques may be used in individual therapy to help you identify and alter negative and unhelpful thinking. It also aids in the development of coping skills and the modification of behavioural patterns.
Nutrition counselling, as well as medical care and monitoring for the consequences that eating disorders might entail. Doctors, nurses, and counsellors will assist you in eating well in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
Medications
Some people with eating disorders may benefit from medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilisers. The medicines can also help with the depression and anxiety symptoms that frequently accompany the condition.
Tips to keep your mental health in check:
Consider taking up a new hobby such as photography, painting, or knitting.
Purchase an adult colouring book.
Use mindfulness meditation to help you relax.
Take a stroll in the park.
Consider taking a yoga class or purchasing a yoga DVD.
Make a journal entry.
Conclusion
Taking care of your physical and mental well-being will go a long way toward assisting you in coping with an eating disorder. In addition to seeing a therapist or joining a support group (such as Eating Disorders Anonymous), find a trusted friend or family member who can help you on your road to recovery.
Beyond self-care, it’s also critical to identify a few healthy distractions you can use when you’re worrying over food and weight or feel compelled to engage in disordered eating or behaviors. Here are a few things to try:
Frequently Asked Questions: Does Meredith Foster have an Eating Disorder?
Who is Meredith Foster?
She is a Youtuber, Blogger, and Vlogger.
What counts as an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is a serious mental condition in which food, exercise, and body weight or form become unhealthy obsessions in a person’s life.
What is normal eating Behaviour?
Normal eating entails arriving at the table hungry and eating till full. Giving yourself permission to eat when you’re happy, depressed, bored, or simply because it feels good is normal eating. Normal eating consists of three, four, or five meals each day, with the option of snacking in between.
How is eating disorders diagnosed?
Because eating disorders may be so dangerous, it’s critical to seek help if you or a loved one suspects you’re suffering from one. Your doctor may use a variety of tools to make a diagnosis, including:
An examination of your medical history, which includes questions about your symptoms. It’s critical to be open and honest about your food and exercise habits so that your healthcare professional can assist you.
A physical examination
Tests of your blood or urine to rule out any other potential reasons of your symptoms.
Other testing to see whether you have any other health issues as a result of your eating disorder. Kidney function testing and an electrocardiogram are two examples (EKG or ECG)
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