Eating disorder, according to the National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders (ANAD) is "an unhealthy relationship with food and weight that interferes with many areas of a person's life" (ANAD). The topic of eating disorders has gained significance over the past owing to the ongoing healthy eating campaign. This text presents the causes, symptoms, and prevalence statistics of four common eating disorders among the American populace.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is a complex eating disorder characterized by an obsession about the food one eats, and the weight they maintain. ANAD identifies anorexia as a leading cause of death, and the third-largest cause of long-term illness among women aged between 15 and 24. Women make up over 80% of those with the condition, which is more prevalent among teenagers and young adults between ages 15 and 24.
Anorexic persons have an intense fear of gaining weight, often preferring to maintain a distorted body shape and a weight way below that which is recommended for their height and age. This they do by exercising excessively and starving themselves (the restricting form of anorexia); or using diuretics, diet pills, and through vomiting (the purging type) (Helpguide). Although anorexic persons pay too much attention to their weight, and the food they eat, there often are underlying causes such as feeling out of control, pressure to be perfect, insecurity, loneliness, and depression driving the urge to be thin.
Anorexia is often confused with dieting, although the two are significantly different: first, anorexia is about controlling one's emotions and life, whereas dieting is about controlling, and hence, maintaining a healthy body weight (Helpguide). Moreover, unlike anorexia which focuses more on self-esteem, dieting is based purely on body image and body weight. Thirdly, anorexia leads one to strive for weight loss as a way of achieving happiness, whereas dieting strives for weight loss in a bid to improve appearance (Helpguide).
The most common symptoms of anorexia include strange food rituals such as using a specific plate or not eating in public places; pre-occupation with nutrition and fat grams, and such tendencies as portion-measuring and keeping of food diaries; and obsession over even the smallest weight gains (Helpguide). The effects of the condition are the same ones associated with malnutrition,...
Eating Disorder Anomalous eating habits involving too less or too much dietary intake that may lead to physical or mental harm to an individual is known as Eating Disorders. Classification of Eating Disorders According to Walsh and Sysko (2009) Eating Disorders are most commonly classified into three categories Anorexia nervosa (AN) Bulimia nervosa (BN) Atypical eating disorder or Eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) Anorexia Nervosa is a medical condition associated with exceptionally low food intake, less
Eating Disorders and Gender There are medical conditions which more commonly occur in one gender over another. These conditions can be either mental or physical. Very often, they are both mental and physical conditions. Certain medical situations are extremely severe and can potentially result in serious harm to the body or perhaps even death. There are certain conditions which being with a mental impression, a false belief that has been ingrained
Eating Disorders Understanding the reason for eating disorders and why they can occur is important in order to intervene in the lives of sufferers. The first step in identifying the problem is to understand more about the different types of eating disorders and some of the symptoms. Bulimia nervosa is a term used to describe an eating disorder. The person suffering from Bulimia Nervosa often overeats and then afterwards purges the food
Eating Disorder Group Sessions Group Session 1 Obesity: Hello, My name is Nancy and I am a counselor and a registered dietitian and I specialize in working with people who are seeking help for eating disorders. First when we talk about why people eat and why they do or do not gain weight we must talk about the balance between activity and calorie intake. In general when you eat more calories than
Eating Disorders Is there a link/relationship between pathological dieting and eating disorders in young adolescents? (no American quotes or stats as I'm in Australia) Eating disorders and pathological dieting: An overview According to the Australian Psychological Society (2011) it is estimated five percent of all women and girls are suffering from anorexia nervosa, and two to three per cent have bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders. Males also suffer from eating disorders, affecting
5. I believe someone with disordered eating would be more likely to want to talk about eating disorders. In many cases, those who eat disorderly have no idea they themselves are on the brink of the different side of eating orders, and so don't associate any personal grief to the topic. Yet, people with eating disorders are more likely to be embarrassed or shameful of their enactment of such voluntary
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