Nova5 said:
That is more than a little simplistic.
I know of someone quite close to me who was molested as a young person (around the age of 12).
The person was at that time, slim, fit, healthy, strong, confident. The person's reaction to the abuse was to eat, to make themselves less physically attractive, in hopes that the situation would not occur again. Over the course of time, the person grew to being about 120 lbs overweight. The person also became withdrawn, shy, and had a real difficulty interacting in social, and romantic situations.
For about 34 years, this person carried this horrible secret alone. Only a couple of years ago, did the person seek counselling, and therapy. Since beginning the healing process, the person has become more fit, healthier, and has lost about 50 lbs. In talking with this person, I learn how it has been a battle every single day, to make better food and health choices. Understand that their solution to the abuse was, for ~34 years, to eat, to try and smother their shame & emotions. It is not easy to just snap your fingers and automatically make good choices all the time.
I've also learned how scared and anxious the person is about losing the weight, they're starting to get compliments on their physical appearance. I'm told that it is a double edged sword. They feel good, obviously, because they're being complimented, but inwardly, they're scared, physcologically, that if they look attractive, that the abuse might happen again.
The person is continuing to go to a counsellor, has enlisted the aid of a dietician, and hits the gym (productively) 5-6 days a week. I am as supportive as I can be, and I believe this person will ultimately succeed.
To simply state: it's a choice as to whether to ''have that Big Mac (or whatever) " , or something healthy, without knowing why a person eats the way they do, is ignorant, and unfeeling.
But I got the idea what to do. Thanks.
