Priya Khanna, a diet and fitness consultant elaborates on the detrimental effects of extreme dieting and workouts
In the rut of aping or gaining acceptance from others, impressionable young women are losing their own identity. Instead of accepting themselves as they are, the trend these days has shifted to becoming like someone else. This has actually given rise to unhealthy diets. Some also go to the extent of taking pills to achieve unrealistic goals like bikini bridges, visible collar bones and thigh gaps.
Incessant and often unhealthy diets lead to weight gain as drastic and sudden decrease in the intake of food lowers metabolic rate wherein, the body, rather than burning fat for energy starts to store fat. Since hunger is a body’s natural response, suppressing it gives rise to cravings that eventually result in binge eating and other eating disorders which in turn play on an individual’s psychology resulting in depression.
There is also a decrease in stamina and physical activity. Feelings of lethargy and tiredness, headaches, fainting, low sex drive, hair loss and dull skin become frequent occurrences. A more serious fallout though, is the decrease in brain responses.
To achieve the coveted caved-in look the youth is resorting to unrealistic diets plans. This ‘thinspiration’ trend can result in dangerous health hazards like malnutrition. Malnourishment deprives the body of necessary nutrients needed for normal organ function. That said, a drastic drop in the fat levels can also cause irregularities in a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Each one of us is genetically different. Rather than falling into the labyrinth of self-hate, it is important to love thyself. We all are unique and we need to respect it. Eating nutritionally sound and healthy food as per your individual requirement will automatically give your body a good shape and will also increase energy levels resulting in better work output, great skin and hair, increase in the body’s ability to withstand stress and will keep medical conditions at bay.
Volume 3 Issue 9
