Eating Disorders

Eating disorders refer to a range of problems people may have regarding eating and their thoughts about food. Such problems involve people eating overly much, or almost nothing at all. The three most prevalent and well known disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia and compulsive eating disorder.

Eating disorders are frequently not related to food at all – they can be triggered by emotional turmoil, very low self-esteem or distorted images of body and health. It is important to remember that no-one is immune to eating disorders – men and women of all ages and backgrounds may face an eating disorder some time in their lives – and it should be dealt as a serious issue in society today.

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Index
[ Anorexia Norvosa ] [ Bulimia Nervosa ] [ Compulsive Eating Disorder ]

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is perhaps the most well know of the various eating disorders – it means that people who suffer from it cannot maintain normal weight. They often have a distorted and false view of their body size and what is okay in terms of weight and dieting. Sufferers of anorexia often limit their food intake to minimal amounts, sometimes eating little more than water. Some anorexics also resort to extreme exercise, fasting and purging and often become obsessive about food.

Signs of anorexia manifest themselves in various physical, mental and behavioural ways. Physically, anorexia has possibly deadly and long-lasting, starvation-like effects. An anorexic may have low resistance of illness, weakness, and very low body mass; in addition, many suffer from dizziness, fainting, constipation, abdominal pain and some women’s periods may stop. Some visible signs of anorexia include swollen stomach, face and ankles, and it is also possible for people with anorexia to experience hair loss because the body lacks the necessary protein and minerals to sustain the growth of hair. Poor blood circulation and a constant feeling of coldness can also be a sign of anorexia. Very serious problems face long-term anorexics, including a decrease in bone mass (causing osteoporosis), and also a difficulty in falling pregnant for women.

On a less terrifying and more warning note, there are several risk factors and warning signs that can be observed when someone suffers from anorexia. Culture and background can play a part in the development of anorexia; particularly adolescents who have grown up in a very body weight conscious environment are more likely to develop anorexia. Several professions have also been linked to anorexia, such as modelling, dancing and horse racing – the media puts particular pressure on these professions (as well as many others) to remain attractive, which usually means skinny.

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Bulimia

Another commonly talked about eating disorder is Bulimia Nervosa – it is also growing in prevalence among the population. People who are diagnosed with bulimia are not anorexic – they do not starve themselves to stave off weight gain – yet, they are motivated by a hatred of their bodies or emotional turmoil. They would, usually in secret, eat a large amount of food in a short period of time and then attempt to rid themselves of this food and control their weight by quickly purging. This usually involves vomiting, crash dieting or using laxatives.

Symptoms of a bulimic include regular binge eating episodes during which food is consumed without much taste and often accompanied by guilt or anxiety, then usually immediately followed by a period where the person attempts to get rid of the ingested food. This is a cycle of binging, them purging and may be done from once a month, or several times a day. Bulimia may be hard to detect. Over time, bulimia can cause quite serious problems – either from excess vomiting or sustained laxative use. Overly frequent vomiting leads to swollen saliva glands, unstoppable gag reflex after eating, sore throats, teeth erosion and bad skin. It may also disturb the mineral and fluid levels in the body – causing cramps, tiredness, hair loss and lack of energy and kidney damage. Laxatives can cause dehydration and constipation.

Bulimia often has some of the same underlying issues that cause other eating disorders like anorexia and compulsive eating disorder.

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Compulsive Eating Disorder

Compulsive eating disorder involves consuming a large amount of food (binging) much like bulimics, but the difference is that people suffering from compulsive eating disorder do not attempt to rid themselves of the food consumed. They often tend to be overweight, because of this. People suffering from this tend to eat quickly, sometimes not even tasting the food they are eating; in other cases, the person snacks constantly.

Experts have said that this particular disorder stems from a deep set loneliness, depression or self-loathing - and the food acts as a comfort. This is probably the most difficult disorder to recognise in others as well as oneself. That is because of the tendency of sufferers to consider themselves as too weak, or unable to keep up a diet. Eventually, the obesity that usually stems from compulsive eating disorder leads to many health risks (like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes).

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For more easy to understand info on eating disorders, and ways to cope, check out:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/problems/eat_disorder.html

For serious information on eating disorders and self esteem try:
http://www.mirror-mirror.org/teens.htm

Great info on causes, symptoms and treatments:
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/eating_disorders.html