Eating tissue to stay thin

Feb 19 2011

In a recent interview on CNN, Janet Jackson talks about the extreme measures some women in Hollywood take to achieve and maintain a thin body. She says some are even eating Kleenex to stay full so they don't feel hungry. Kimberly Dennis, M.D., and Medical Director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, a residential treatment center for eating disorders and addictions, warns about the dangers of this behavior, and says there might be deeper problems hidden below the surface.  

"I could call this the tissue issue, and it would sound funny, but I'm not laughing. This type of behavior can cause serious health complications," said Dr. Dennis. "I have worked with anorexics, bulimics and women with other disorders who eat non-nutritive substances to fill themselves up as a measure to control their weight. In other words, they avoid eating food which contains calories." Besides the physical problems associated with poor nutrition, this can cause intestinal problems, pain, bloating, and even blockage and ruptures in extreme cases.

Dr. Dennis adds, "People who put their health and lives at risk to look a certain way need to take a deeper look at what's really going on in their lives, beyond the physical. Eating tissue to stay thin is a perfect example of this. Many times the eating disorder, disordered eating and other forms of self harm are associated with depression, anxiety, low self esteem and/or trauma.

"I implore women not to idolize these thin, model-like frames, which do not represent a healthy body," said Dr. Dennis. "Stay away from images of anorexic looking models or actors, and surround yourself with healthy women who affirm their own beauty and who can help you affirm yours, too."