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Eating disorders and their ill effects of one’s health

FROM ISSUE # 161 (May 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Dissatisfaction concerning one's body weight and shape is very common. But when the issue starts to affect one's diet it is termed as an eating disorder. Minimum or excessive food intake, eating disorders are always about extremes. It normally starts with simply consuming smaller or larger portions but at some point this spirals out of control. Often a psychological condition and despite relentless scientific study to understand them, eating disorders are very complex. Its effect on biology, behaviour and society remains incomprehensible. There are many types of eating disorders that normally appear during adolescence or young adulthood. Studies show that women and girls are more prone to eating disorders but men aren't completely unaffected either.

Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa: The most common of eating disorders, this form is characterised by a fear of gaining weight resulting in emaciation and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight. People with this disorder see themselves as overweight despite being malnourished or starving. They often exercise in excess or try to lose weight by misusing laxatives, following a liquid diet or self-induced vomiting. They are obsessed with their body weight and often weigh themselves over and over again. Studies show that people suffering from anorexia also have psychiatric and physical illnesses, including depression, anxiety, obsessive behaviour, substance abuse, cardiovascular, neurological complications and impaired physical development.

Bulimia Nervosa: This disorder is characterised by repeated and regular instances of binge-eating and feeling a lack of control over the food consumption. The eating is then followed by vomiting or excessively using laxatives or fasting and/or even excessively exercising to compensate for eating an unusually large amount of food. Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their age and weight. But like people with anorexia, they often fear gaining weight, want desperately to lose weight, and are intensely unhappy with their body size and shape. Usually, bulimic behavior is done secretly, because it is often accompanied by feelings of disgust or shame. Similar to anorexia, people with bulimia often have coexisting psychological illnesses, such as depression, anxiety and/or substance abuse problems. Many physical conditions result from the purging aspect of the illness, including electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal problems, and oral and tooth-related problems.

Binge-Eating Disorder: Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge-eating episodes during which a person feels a loss of control over his or her eating. This type of eating disorder falls under the 'eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS).'Unlike bulimia, binge-eating episodes are not followed by purging, excessive exercise or fasting. As a result, people with binge-eating disorders often are overweight or obese. They also experience guilt, shame and/or distress about the binge-eating, which can lead to more binge-eating.Obese people with binge-eating disorder often have coexisting psychological illnesses including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. In addition, links between obesity and cardiovascular disease and hypertension are well documented.
Resource: www.seekwellness.com