MANY PEOPLE HAVE EATING DISORDERS?
- 27% of girls 12-18 have significant symptoms
- 31% of female college students
- 46% of 10 year old girls are dieting, have
a fear of “fatness” or are binge eating
- Doctors are seeing a growing group of women
in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s with eating disorders
- Although less common, boys and men can also
have eating disorders, especially self-induced vomiting and inappropriate
WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF EATING DISORDERS?
- Excessive concern about weight and body shape
- Unexpected weight loss
- Disappearing to the bathroom after meals
- Secretive eating or discovery that food is missing
- Loss of menstrual cycles
- Evidence of laxative abuse
- Food group avoidance
- Skipping meals
- Avoiding eating in front of others
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA?
- Those who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa restrict their caloric intake for long periods
of time and deliberately starve themselves. Weight loss is achieved
by avoiding food, frenzied exercise, vomiting, laxatives and other
means. An intense fear of becoming obese as well as a distorted body
image are other characteristics.
- Bulimia is associated with binge-eating and purging.
Purging can be in the form of fasting, self-induced vomiting, excessive
exercising or use of diuretics.
- Anorexia and Bulimia are often present together.
CAN OVER-EATING OR OBESITY BE AN EATING DISORDER?
- Yes, compulsive eating or binge eating is just as
serious as anorexia or bulimia. A compulsive overeater is also using
food to cope with their problems in life.
WHAT IS EXERCISE BULIMIA?
- It is similar to other forms of bulimia, except the
individual uses excessive exercise as the predominant method of purging.
Sometimes the individual believes what they are doing is ok because
exercise is healthy. But in reality, they are ignoring the psychological
and physical damage to their bodies.
WHAT KIND OF MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS
CAN HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF ANOREXIA OR BULIMIA?
- Menstrual irregularities or loss of periods which
can result in the inability to have children
- Growth of facial hair on women
- Weakening of the heart and other organs due to malnourishment
- Dehydration and possible impaired kidney functions
- Lowered resistance to infection
- Loss of muscle tissue
- Dehydration-altered brain function and size
- Dizziness, weakness or fainting
- Chest pain, shortness of breath
- Depression and anxiety
- Brittle hair and nails
- Sleep disturbance and fatigue
- Severe dental problems including loss of teeth and
WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT EATING DISORDERS IN
- Be a good role model. Your children will have enough
pressure from the media and from their friends to obtain an unrealistic
body weight. Try not to express dissatisfaction with your own body
and weight in front of your children. Studies have shown that parents
who display dissatisfaction with their bodies are more likely to have
children with body image disturbances of their own.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I
HAVE AN EATING DISORDER? I’M AFRAID TO TELL MY FAMILY.
- You took a big step admitting you need help. Eating
disorders are diseases that have devastating consequences, not only
for the individual, but also for the people involved in their life.
But, because it is a disease, you need professional support. I am
sure if you entrust your family with the knowledge of what is going
on with you, they will be there for you. If one of your children was
suffering from an eating disorder, you would want to know and you
would do everything to help them. Your family will want the privilege
of being able to do the same thing for you.
WE HAVE A GOOD FRIEND WHO HAS
A LOT OF EATING DISORDER SYMPTOMS. SHE DENIES HAVING A PROBLEM AND SAYS
SHE’S JUST “NATURALLY THIN” OR “NOT HUNGRY,”
BUT WE HAVE HEARD HER VOMITING AFTER EATING. WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
- You are doing the right thing to try and help your
friend. Eating disorders are serious diseases that without intervention
can turn deadly. To overcome an eating disorder usually requires
professional support. The best you can do is to encourage her to seek
professional help. You are confronting the person because you are
concerned. Remind them of this. Do not back down if she denies the
problem. Offer support and empathy, but do not give up, if you really
want to help her.
WHAT ARE THE RECOVERY RATES FOR THOSE WITH EATING
- Approximately ½ of those with anorexia or bulimia
have a full recovery
- Approximately 30% have a partial recovery
- Approximately 20% have no substantial improvement
CAN EATING DISORDERS CAUSE DEATH?
- Yes. The mortality rate is approximately 5.6% per
decade, which is 12 times higher than the normal death rate among