How do weight control practices affect bone health?
For overall health, it is important to achieve and maintain ideal body weight. Unfortunately, many teens and adults are preoccupied with weight and practice unsafe weight-loss methods to achieve an unrealistic thin body image. These methods may include purposely-restricting food intake, over-exercising, purging (vomiting after eating or chronic use of laxatives, diet pills, and/or water pills) and/or use of smoking as an appetite suppressant. Excessive thinness often disrupts normal menstrual cycles in women. Eating disorders in both men and women can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis as well as other life-threatening problems. It is imperative to speak to your medical professional if you think that you may have an eating disorder.
