Weight management

Bulimia is binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting. It's often associated with anorexia nervosa. Many people with bulimia don't lose a lot of weight, and may not get medical attention until they seek help.

Excessive intentional weight loss can cause a person to be dangerously underweight. To maintain their weight, people with eating disorders must eat enough food to prevent them from losing the weight they have gained.

To maintain your weight, you can use the following formula:

• 10 calories per pound of desirable body weight if you are sedentary or very obese
• 13 calories per pound of desirable body weight if your activity level is low, or if you are over age 55
• 15 calories per pound of desirable body weight if you regularly do moderate activity
• 18 calories per pound of desirable body weight if you regularly do strenuous activity

• Low activity: No planned, regular physical activity; occasional weekend or weekly activity (such as golf or recreational tennis) is the only type of physical activity
• Moderate activity: Participating in physical activities such as swimming, jogging, or fast walking for 30 - 60 minutes at a time
• Strenuous activity: Participating in vigorous physical activity for 60 minutes or more at least 4 - 5 days per week

A BALANCED DIET

• Do not eat meat more than once a day. Eat fish and poultry more often than red or processed meats because they are less fattening.
• Avoid frying food. Fried food absorbs the fats from the cooking oils, increasing your dietary fat intake. Instead, bake or broil food. If you do fry, use polyunsaturated oils, such as corn oil.
• Cut down on your salt intake. Limit table salt, or flavor intensifiers that contain salt, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG).
• Include adequate fiber in your diet. Fiber is found in green leafy vegetables, fruit, beans, bran flakes, nuts, root vegetables, and whole-grain foods.
• Do not eat more than 4 eggs per week. Although they are a good source of protein, and they're low in saturated fat, eggs are very high in cholesterol.
• Choose fresh fruit for dessert, rather than cookies, cake, or pudding.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Too much of anything -- calories or a particular type of food -- has its drawbacks.
• Follow the recommendations of the food guide pyramid.