Local Woman Raises Awareness Of Eating Disorders

PRINCE GEORGE – Natasha Lepine is sharing her story after she says she developed an eating disorder called orthorexia. What started off as what she thought was a healthy eating kick, turned into a restrictive obsession with what she was eating. “I cut back wheat, carbs, potatoes, rice, carrots… even apples,” said Lepine, “restricting my diet, but also over exercising and if I didn’t exercise I wouldn’t eat.” With a recent movement to end the stigma surrounding mental illnesses, Lepine hopes speaking out about eating disorders will help young girls seek help from family members or counsellors. “It takes a lot to talk about it,” added Lepine. “Anyone that’s going through this… there is hope.”

Eating disorders aren’t commonly thought of as mental illnesses, but the Canadian Mental Health Association says they can be like addictions. Young women and girls are the most at risk for developing disorders, but a growing number of men are being diagnosed. “The biggest thing is to talk about how you’re feeling when you’re feeling unsure about things reach out and talk to someone,” said Manager of Education and Projects, Mary Lu Spagrud. “The earlier we can get in and intervene when somebody is experiencing any kind of problem in terms of their mental health, the better the outcome.”