Based on the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 out of 5 females battle with an eating disorder or disordered eating. Although women are the likely ones who are affected, men also suffer equally from this illness. It usually happens in the teenage years, mainly in a pursuit of a body shape or weight.
What exactly is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is a real and major problem. It’s described by significant changes in eating behavior, which includes extreme decrease in food intake or too much gorging. There are two primary forms of eating disorders, namely anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa; other types are incorporated into a category called “eating disorders not otherwise specified” (EDNOS). But let’s put our attention on the two major types.
Anorexia nervosa – this kind of eating disorder is described by constant wish of slimness and disinclination of putting on weight. Those who have this kind of ailment view themselves as “overweight” though the truth is they are skinny and undernourished.
Signs and symptoms:
-Concern of putting on the weight
-Lack of the monthly period
-Performance of weight loss by intensive dieting and over-exercising or self-induced vomiting, laxative, diuretic, and enema misuse
-Has altered body image
-Physical symptoms involve growth of fine hair throughout the body, brittle hair and nails, yellowish and dry skin, muscle loss and weakness
A couple of widely known celebrities who dealt with this disease are American socialite Nicole Richie, well-known singer Karen Carpenter, and actress Mary-Kate Olsen.
Bulimia nervosa – this kind of disordered eating is recognized by frequently ingesting large amounts of foods immediately followed by purging or self-induced vomiting to make up for the overeating.
Signs and symptoms:
-Binge-eating (intense consumption of huge quantities of food associated with a feeling of absence of control over eating)
-Purging (intense actions of weight loss such as extreme working-out, fasting, or self-induced vomiting)
-Unusual fear of weight gain
-Feeling of discontentment towards physique and body weight
-Physical symptoms include severe sore throat, dental complications, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and significant dehydration from lack of essential fluids.
Celebrities who have encountered this serious problem included Spice Girls’ “Ginger Spice” Geri Halliwell, American Idol judge Paula Abdul, and Katy Perry’s fianc, Russell Brand.
As of now, the most effective cure against these disorders is the combination of pharmacological and psychological approaches such as the use of antidepressants and psychotherapy. Though researches have been made to determine the exact causes and treatments that can be utilized to address this problem, it must be known that eating disorders are real, are treatable, and most of all, are highly preventable.
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