Anorexia and Bulimia - A Threat to Society

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In a society that discriminates against people, particularly women, who do not look slender, many people find they cannot - or think they cannot - meet society's standards through normal, healthy eating habits and often fall victim to eating disorders. Bulimia Nervosa, an example of an eating disorder that is characterized by a cycle of binge eating and purging, has become very common in our society. Although it generally affects women, men too are now coming to clinics with this kind of disease. This is not a new disorder. It can be brought on by a complex interplay of factors, which may include emotional, and personality disorders, family pressures, a possible genetic or biologic susceptibility, and a culture in which there is an overabundance of food and an obsession with thinness. Common signs of this problem are pre-occupation with the body, a need for control and perfection, difficult interpersonal relationships, and a low self-esteem. It seems that irrespective of the initial triggers, bulimia can become a rigid pattern, which is difficult to change. The purpose of this paper is to reason out why bulimia is detrimental to our society. It focuses on its bad effect to the health of an individual and to the society. Perhaps you do not have this kind of eating disorder but you are definitely affected by it. Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a secretive cycle of bingeing and purging. Binge eating is the uncontrolled consumption of large amounts of food lasting a few minutes to several hours. Purging or ridding the body of food eaten during a binge through self-induced vomiting, laxatives, fasting, severe diets, or vigorous exercise follows this. The cause of bulimia is really unknown. It may develop due to a combination of emotional, physical, and social triggers. The precise reasons for developing it are probably different for each person. Bulimia is more common in western societies, and some people link them to media images of thinness. Being thin is often linked to being successful. Bulimia may occur in several family members. People who have a mother or sister with an eating disorder are more likely to develop one, although it is not clear whether this is due to genetic factors or the learning of certain behaviors. Bulimia nervosa can be extremely harmful to the body. The recurrent binge-and-pu... ... middle of paper ... ...bulimia is and encourage them to fight this kind of disorder. If we will not work it out, this can influence more people leading to a malfunction society because we all know that bulimia is actually detrimental to our society. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Bulimia nervosa. Workplace Blues. Retrieved January 6, 2005, from http://www.workplaceblues.com/mental_health/healthcons.asp BUPA’s Health Information Team. (2003 November). Bulimia nervosa. BUPA. Retrieved January 6, 2005, from http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/pdfs/Bulimia.pdf Clark, D. & MacMahon B. (1981). Preventive and Community Medicine 2nd Ed. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. Eating disorder. Bambooweb. Retrieved January 6, 2005, from http://www.bambooweb.com/articles/e/a/Eating_Disorder.html Eating disorders. MoDMH: Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services. Retrieved January 6, 2005, from http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/cps/facts/eating.htm Eating disorders. Perth Clinic. Retrieved January 6, 2005, from http://www.perthclinic.com.au/treatmentprograms/eatingdisorders.html Mongeau E. (2001 February). Eating disorders: a difficult diagnosis. Vital Signs. Retrieved January 6, 2005, from www2.mms.org/vitalsigns/feb01/hcc1.html

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