Researchers study eating disorders to try to understand their many complexities. “Eating disorders are complicated psychiatric illnesses in which food is used to deal with unsettling emotions and difficult life issues” (Michel & Willard, 2003, p. 2). To help those with eating disorders, one must understand the causes, effects and treatments associated with the disorders. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Compulsive Overeating are three common eating disorders found in society today. “No one knows exactly what causes eating disorders. However, all socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural groups are at risk” (Matthews, 2001, p.3). Eating disorders are difficult to diagnose but can be deadly if left untreated. Background The Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness (n.d.) observes, Eating disorders affect five to ten million Americans adolescent girls and women and approximately one million American boys and men. In addition, approximately 70 million individuals in the world struggle with this disorder. In a single person’s lifetime, approximately 450,000 individuals will die because of this terrifying disease. Eating disorders know no race, age, class or gender. They can happen to anyone. Eating disorders have been present in children as young as three years old and in adults as old as ninety. However, typical age of onset is anywhere from 12-18 years of age. Eating disorders often develop in adolescence because it is a time of numerous changes including sexual, physical, and emotional ones. Rachel Bryant-Waugh and Bryan Lask (2004) conclude that with adolescent changes, weight fluctuations often occur and many individuals may not feel ready to handle the differences (p.38). The inability to deal with change during this time often leads to anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive overeating. The American Academy of Family Physicians (2003) states, “People with anorexia starve themselves, avoid high-calorie foods and exercise constantly.” The person suffering from anorexia is abnormally sensitive about being fat or has a massive fear of becoming fat. Low self esteem and a constant need for acceptance commonly is seen in anorexics. Michel and Willard (2003) contend the most prevalent characteristic with this disorder is reduced calorie intake. The initial need to lose just a few pounds is somewhere forgotten and the cycle of the disorder takes over. Anorexic... ... middle of paper ... ...nab Bryant-Waugh, R. & Lask, B. (2004). Eating disorders: A parent’s guide (Rev. ed.). New York: Brunner-Routledge. Kirkpatrick, J. & Caldwell, P. (2001). Eating disorders: Everything you need to know. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. Levine, M. & Maine, M. (2004). Some basic facts about eating disorders. Retrieved April 28, 2005 from http://www.brooklane.org/whitepgs Matthews, D. (Ed.). (2001). Eating disorders sourcebook (1st ed.). Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics. Michel, D. & Willard, S. (2003). When dieting becomes dangerous: A guide to understanding and treating anorexia and bulimia. New haven, CT: Yale University Press. Missouri Department of Mental Health. (n.d.). Eating disorders. Retrieved May 1, 2005 from http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/cps/facts/eating.htm Simon-Kumar, R. (2001). Eating disorders. Retrieved May 1, 2005 from http:// www.psychology4all.com/EatingDisorders.htm The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness. (n.d.). Eating disorders statistics. Retrieved April 28, 2005, from http://www.1st-eating-disorders.info The American Academy of Family Physicians. (June 2003). Anorexia nervosa. Retrieved April 18, 2005, from http://www.familydoctor.org/063.xml
“Eating disorders are ‘about’: yes, control, and history, philosophy, society, personal strangeness, family fuck-ups, autoerotics, myth, mirrors, love and death and S&M, magazines and religion, the individual’s blindfolded stumble-walk through an ever-stranger world.” (Hornbacher, 4)
Each year millions of people in the United States develop serious and often fatal eating disorders. More than ninety percent of those are adolescent and young women. The consequences of eating disorders are often severe--one in ten end in death from either starvation, cardiac arrest, or suicide. Due to the recent awareness of this topic, much time and money has been attributed to eating disorders. Many measures have been taken to discover leading causes and eventual treatment for those suffering from anorexia. (http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource ...er.html#Causes of Eating Disorders) )
Eating Disorders." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
Estimates say that 10 million women and one million men in the US undergo an eating disorder and those numbers are increasing daily. Eating disorders “help” with things such as; emotional pain, conflicts dealing with separation, low self-esteem, depression, or trauma. Although they commonly affect young women, the number of males has increased by over 50% in the last ten years. These disorders are complicated yet very serious. If they are not treated they can cause potential death, physical problems, and mood swings. Although the following list...
The three most commonly known eating disorders of today are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. Anorexia nervosa is a disease connected with abnormal eating; it is not brought on by excitement, delusions, overactivity or a bad habit, it is a mental illness. Development of anorexia usually starts in the early teenage years, however it can go undiagnosed for thirty to even forty plus years. Another eating disorder is bulimia, people who are bulimic have no time to think about daily life; all that is on there mind is their next meal. Someone who has bulimia often l...
In the United States alone, an estimate of 24 million people suffers from an eating disorder, whether its anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or some type of atypical eating habits. Eating disorders are a global problem that affects millions, mainly affecting young middle school girls. Those who suffer from an eating disorder battle against their own body on a daily basis, putting their mental and physical health at risk. 1 in 10 people men and women with an eating disorder do not seek help.
(Thesis Statement)Eating disorders are something that are very common among all people. However, they are not often talked about or understood and this is something we need to fix as a society.
ANAD. “Eating Disorders Statistics”. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders, Inc., 2013.Web. 18 Nov 2013.
Trujillo, Alyssa E. "Adolescents And Eating Disorders." Insights To A Changing World Journal 3 (2012): 126-140. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
"ANAD." Eating Disorders Statistics « « National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.
Almost 50% of people with eating disorders meet the criteria for depression.Only 1 in 10 men and women with eating disorders receive treatment. Only 35% of people that receive treatment for eating disorders get treatment at a specialized facility for eating disorders. Up to 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder) in the U.S. Along with all these appalling statistics, eating disorders have the highest mortality of any mental disorder(1). There are multiple causes of eating disorders leading to horrific consequences, but various treatment plans await those victims seeking to get help.
Matthews, John R. Library in a Book: Eating Disorders. New York: Facts on File Inc. 1991
"Eating Disorders." Doctors, Patient Care, Health Education, Medical Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.
Gurze 2000 Eating Disorders Resource Catalogue, The. 28 Apr. 2000: 24. Ratner, Kathryn M.S.W., L.S.W. “Eating Disorders.” 21 Apr. 2000: 6,7,17.
Smith, Erica. Anorexia Nervosa: When Food is the Enemy. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, Inc, n.d.