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a little signal that we have control over our lives—and that feels good. Most of the time, wanting to be in control is not a problem. But when our feelings about food get mixed up with our need for control, bad things can start to happen. There is nothing wrong with wanting to look a certain way. But sometimes people get so focused on ideal bodies that they start to hate their own bodies. They start to believe that their weight relates to their value as humans. Being a thin person can get confused with being a good person. These feelings can be very upsetting. They can also be dangerous, because they can develop into an eating disorder that can harm or even kill. By some estimates, 24 million Americans suffer from some type of eating disorder.

Although they may not realize it, many people like shopping because it gives them a sense of control.