The dangers of choosing dieting as a New Year's resolution

Indeed, some of the most popular New Year's resolutions every year include losing weight, eating healthier foods and exercising more frequently. While wanting to live a healthy lifestyle can be a good, positive change, it's important to not let that goal become an obsession. And certain behaviors, such as overexercising or severely restricting food intake, can be quite dangerous. Eating disorders can develop anytime, especially this time of year. When you add COVID stress and uncertainty to the mix, the combination can be disastrous. A study conducted by the International Journal for Eating Disorders found that symptoms worsened across the board for people with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorders, nationwide, since the pandemic lockdowns began last March. Among respondents, 62% of people with anorexia have experienced more severe restriction and food fear during the pandemic, while 30% of those with bulimia and binge-eating disorder reported experiencing more binge-eating episodes, and a greater urge to binge.