Health Digest Daily » Eating Disorders

Types of Eating Disorders

Sunny — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:15:11 +0000

Individuals suffering from an Eating Disorder adopt harmful eating habits which disturb their physical health. It is a syndrome, an illness, usually occurring in teenage girls and women, but can be found in men too. It is caused due to psychiatric and other disorders like depression and anxiety disorders, resulting in poor nutrition that damages body organs and even resulting in death in some extreme cases. Eating depends on several physical and psychological factors around the person and disturbs the bodily activities.

Types of Eating Disorder -

Three major types of eating disorders can be commonly seen – Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa:

Anorexia Nervosa usually begins at a young age and involves starvation. The worst aspect of this disorder is that they are convinced that they are overweight and try shedding off the excess, which leads to excessive weight loss (at least 15% below the normal body weight). Individuals have the fear of gaining weight and so stick to rigorous exercise routines, get into the habit of measuring every food item for the calorie intake, and even adopt strange eating habits and refuse to eat in front of others. Women with this disorder may suffer from loss of monthly menstrual periods and men suffer from impotency.

Bulimia Nervosa:

People with the condition Bulimia Nervosa consume excessive amounts of food and then get rid of excess calories by vomiting, using laxatives, diuretics or enemas or by way of rigorous exercise routines. Using any or combinations of all the forms of purging, individuals suffering from this condition secretly binge and purge, and manage to maintain normal or above normal body weight, so the problem remains hidden from others for a longer time. Anger, fear and depression can be commonly seen among such people. Ranging from once or twice a week, they can even binge and purge several times in a day. Heavy dieting between binging and purging can also be seen. About half of the people suffering from Anorexia are seen suffering from Bulimia. Beginning at adolescence, this can be seen in women and sometimes men too.

Binge Eating Disorder:

Binge Eating Disorder resembling Bulimia Nervosa involves excessive consumption of food or binging. However, it differs from Bulimia – there is no purging of excess calories. Individuals in this condition lack self control while eating, consume excessive quantities of food until they are uncomfortable, and have difficulty losing weight and keeping it off. Obesity and weight fluctuations can be seen. Reportedly, about 2% of the population, more women than men and about 30% people undergoing medically supervised weight control programs suffer from this disorder.

Teen Eating Disorders

Sunny — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:00:13 +0000

An eating disorder is a condition where the person tends to either starve or binge on his food. Teenagers are more likely to face eating disorders either because they subject themselves to torture by overeating or by not eating at all. With the aim of losing weight at all costs, teenagers cope with eating disorders even to the extent of starving themselves to death.

Teen Eating Disorders – starvation

Many teenagers think that the best way to lose weight is to not eat anything. Such people avoid most foods and are quite picky and choosy about anything that they eat. Calorie conscious and taking note of every bit of fat or nutrient content in their food, these modern teenagers try to beat nature by depriving themselves of good food by starving for long periods of time.

Teen Eating Disorders – Overeating and bulimia

Some teenagers have the tendency to overeat at times and then follow it up with induced vomiting to shed off the excess weight they feel they are putting on. These are referred to as cases of bulimia. Bulimia and overeating are observed among school-going teenagers as well. Celebrities and models in magazines often inspire these teenagers. What teenagers do not realize is that eating disorders can wreak havoc in their daily lives.

Teen Eating Disorders – anorexic

Attempting to imitate fashion stars and models can severely affect one's digestive system and the after effects of the same can be dangerous. Disturbing trends among teenagers with regard to eating disorders have made many seek professional help to cope with their health and fitness. Media images of thin models and stars make many teenagers crave thin figures and are very much afraid of becoming fat if they do not control their diet. This often leads to compulsive over control. Media images that project happy and successful men and women with figures like hourglasses, does tend to have a negative effect on impressionable young minds.

Teen Eating Disorders – other causes

Some events are also known to trigger eating disorders among teenagers. Young people who are not sure how to cope with a certain situation may resort to binges or starvation. Many other factors such as relationships, jobs, and social environment among others can cause a person to overeat or not eat for hours together. What teens do not realize is simple eating disorders in their teenage years could lead to major health related problems later on in their lives.

Statistics on Eating Disorders

Sunny — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:30:10 +0000

Eating disorders are as prevalent as eating habits in any part of the world. Statistics have just been able to tell us why eating disorders have become daily habits for many people. Although exact figures may not be available for such findings, statistical records that are gradually gaining ground have pointed out the major factors that result in eating disorders across the world.

Men with eating disorders

Statistics reveal that men are less likely to suffer from eating disorders than women. While this may be true for men who are in the age group of twenty-five and above, there has been a considerable increase in the number of teenage boys and young adults who suffer from some kind of eating disorder or other. While some of this may be self-induced, research statistics also reveal other social and environmental factors like weather and work pressure that could lead to eating disorders among men.

Women with eating disorders

A greater percentage of women across the world and across all age groups have been linked with eating disorder problems. In their quest for losing weight and maintaining hourglass figures, women are continuously resorting to starvation, binge eating, overeating and bulimia to keep them looking thin and fit. Statistics reveal that peer pressure and social acceptability are the major factors that cause eating disorders in women.

Countries affected by eating disorders

Statistics on eating disorders from records that are available with health and medical professionals across the world point out those Western countries have a high likelihood and continuing trend of eating disorders. Continuous media coverage also has an indirect impact on the minds of people from such countries. Comparatively non-western countries have reported fewer eating disorder problems. But the availability of data from such countries is less and hence comparisons of such kind are based on records only currently available.

Age Groups affected by eating disorders

Statistics on eating disorders also reveal that problems due to eating disorders are more prevalent among teenagers and young adults. Adults in the age group of thirty and above may also face problems due to eating disorders because of their hectic lifestyles. Many baby boomers have health problems in the later stages of their lives because of erratic eating habits when they were young.

Societal pressures eating disorders

Sunny — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:45:13 +0000

Man is a social animal. Every person has three facets to his perosna, one that he knows about himself, another is what others know about him, and the third is what he wants others to know about him. The last said, is the cause of all kinds societal pressures. At every stage of a person's life, there is pressure on a person to be perceived in a particular manner by society. A person who is having an overweight or obesity condition, also faces social stress.

How these pressures are created.

Society has a peculiar habit of advising. Any person who is seen to have any kind of a problem will get un solicited advice from every second person.Naturally, an obese person, draws quite a bit of attention and gets all kinds of advice, suggestions, therapies. With all these, comes the pressure of expectations from society that the person will act upon these suggestions and become a perfect example for others to refer to the next guy on the block.

Coping with such expectations creates stress, and a normally obese person tries to mask his actions. Eating in public view may or may not be his normal dietary routine. I once knew a youngster who was a day boarder in high school and considered overweight. Social pressures within his peer group in school, to look good, athletic and fitter, compelled this teenager too start skipping the two meals he were to have at school. While at home, his mother would have none of his desire to reduce food intake, so he was under another pressure to consume all that was on is plate. Once back in his room at night, he would try and throw up all that he ate. Unfortunately, even this, his other found out and made sure he couldn't flush after dinner. The poor fellow, determined as he was to do away with the intake, concealed plastic bags under his bed, and threw up in these to dispose off in the mornings. Now, if we look at the stress under which the youngster, barely 16, was put through, we understand the situation as below

Social pressure number 1 – At School to look good and fit.
Eating disorder No1 – Compulsive fasting, unplanned and indisciplined.
Result – Under eating, loss of weight, low energy levels, dangerous if unchecked.

Social pressure number 2- At home, to eat heartily so that mom is happy.
Eating disorder No. 2 – Undue overeating and subsequent, simulated expulsion.
Social Pressure No.3 – Not to be seen throwing up.

Social Pressure No4 – to hide the plastic bags and dispose later.

As we see from above, the outcome of all this was no doubt a serious medical condition for the poor fellow and he had to be undergo a prolonged re-habilitation.

Social pressure can induce eating disorders, which may further cause health disorders and even in certain cases, long lasting adverse psychological imprints, especially in growing children.

Pro Eating Disorders

Sunny — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:30:05 +0000

What does it mean?

The term stands for the concept of welcoming the very idea of suffering from an eating disorder. Of late, a trend of encouraging eating disorders among the population has started. People actually want to suffer from the eating disorders. The pro eating disorder wave has even gone to the extent of more websites coming up which encourage and support people to get obsessed with it.

What do the pro Eating Disorder websites offer?

These websites promote eating disorders as a part of the modern life style and don't consider them a serious issue. They even teach on how to become super thin and more teens are being targeted. They provide tips on losing weight and maintaining the thin, frail physique, hiding the disorder from others, tips on safe foods that do not add to the calorie intake and figuring out minimum calorie intake. They have forums and chat rooms for like minded people to exchange tips/information and have their own food pyramids with diet pills, diet soda, cigarettes, coffee and so on.

Pro-Anorexia and Pro-Bulimia Websites -

Terms like "pro-ana", "pro-mia" has come to be included in the vocabulary these days, standing for "pro-anorexia" and "pro-bulimia" respectively. These websites are primarily being created by young people, especially women, suffering or recovering from Anorexia or Bulimia or both. The disorders are not seen as illnesses but as old friends and are called "Ana" and "Mia". They strongly support the belief that the disorders are choices rather than physical or mental illness. These websites are a combination of personal stories by people, poetry, tips and bulletins and show people how to become "better" Bulimics and Anorexics.

Who visits these websites?

Girls, especially teenagers are the frequent visitors with the intention of gaining more knowledge and being able to express their feelings freely. They usually support each other and stand for one another in case of an abuse.

Debate regarding these websites -

Since the time these websites have come up, professionals providing physical and psychological treatment for these disorders are debating the extent of damage caused by these websites and whether they have to be shut down. Many believe that shutting them down is the only solution to get the younger generation under control from becoming more pro-ana or pro-mia. However, another debate still continues as to how effective that would be since, anorexia and bulimia are considered lifestyles, not disorders, the pro-ana, pro-mia wave still continues, websites or no websites.

Media's Influence on Eating Disorders- Eating Disorders- Does Media Play a Role?

Sunny — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:45:05 +0000

In the present day scenario, mass media is, arguably, the most powerful medium of influence. Especially, television or visual media can have a significant impact on the entire populace. With a tremendous boom happening in the world of mass media with internet and the web world coming of age, people are getting information about anything and everything within a few seconds. It is thus responsible for influencing and changing the lifestyle of the people in a significant way.

Eating Disorders:

Eating Disorders are mainly characterized by over-eating and under-eating, binge-eating, under-nourishment, purging, starving one and such other kinds of maladies. Eating disorders not only affect the physical but also the mental frame of an individual.

Role of Media:

People tend to get influenced by whatever they see on the television. They base their decisions on the information that they get from television and other means of mass media without ensuring their authenticity of the information being shown.

There are different advertisements shown on the television where models with a thin and lean look advertise for beauty products and various other cosmetics. Thus there is an image being portrayed that a thin and lean look is beautiful and that people being fat and having some extra-weight cannot look attractive and become successful. Thus people watching these models, especially, women, want to ape these personalities and hence go on a strict diet with no proper guidance or professional help which causes them to become anorexic. Thus youngsters, mainly, teenage girls, copy the models shown in these advertisements and can deprive themselves of food and necessary nourishment causing eating disorders in the hope of becoming the ideal and flawless woman.

The media portrays an image wherein only women with thin and flawless body-figure can look attractive and many a times a non-perfect body figures are correlated with failures and a below-average success in life. It is impossible for all to attain such a perfect look. However women go on an anorexic diet in an effort to become like the models. It is actually the image shown by the ads that women and young girls want to imitate.

Conclusion:

Everyone must try and maintain a good physique a have a good body-shape. However they must not do it at the cost of sacrificing essential body nutrients and without proper medical guidance. Individuals must also not try to ape advertisements and follow discretion while watching their favorite models in the ads. Ads show models with a flawless physique, but do not show the amount of efforts taken by the models to attain the perfect body shape. Individuals must try to go beyond these images and learn to attain a good physique with balanced diet and regular exercises.

Male Eating Disorders

Sunny — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:00:11 +0000

Usually men suffer from Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa; however there are also cases of Binge Eating Disorder among men who describe themselves as compulsive eaters.

Facts and Figures -

In today's date, the number of males suffering from eating disorders is increasing. Researches show that twenty years ago, for every 10-15 women with anorexia/bulimia, 1 man suffered while the today for every 4 females, 1 male and for every 8-11 females, 1 male suffer from Anorexia and Bulimia respectively. Binge Eating Disorder found equally in men and women, however, men feel less guilty and anxious after a binge.

More women are reported to be suffering from the disorder because lesser men confess of suffering from the disorder and even under diagnose may also be the reason.

Differences and similarities – In men and women suffering the disorder -

The disorder is usually seen at older ages among males. Usually instances of overweight / obesity are seen among males and underweight, malnourishment is seen among females. The reason for the same being that women are usually encouraged to be thin and in shape, to be able to handle both home and work fronts, also enabling them to attract friends and romantic partners, while men are expected to be strong, build their bodies and be more competitive, to earn acquire power and wealth, and defend and protect females.

Risk Factors among male patients -

Men in professions that demand being thin and being in shape like the models, actors and entertainers are at a higher risk compared to others. Males of gay community are at higher risk as they are judged by their physical attractiveness like the females in a heterosexual community. Men in show business and models doing advertisements for skin and hair care products are expected to look perfect to create an impression on the general population undergo weight loss and workout programs and so are at a higher risk level.

How can men be treated? -

As eating disorders have always been described as usually suffered by females, men are hesitant admitting that they too suffer from the same. And since most of the treatment programs are designed for females keeping in mind their physical and psychological problems and socio-cultural issues, there is a need to design a different treatment programs.

A two step program can be adopted in the treatment process – A physician would be needed to identify the physical problems contributing to or resulting from the disorder, while psychiatrist would help identifying problem areas related to the disorder.

Laxitives Eating Disorders – Laxitive Lessoning

Sunny — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:15:04 +0000

For a healthy life the basic thing that an individual must do is have a healthy lifestyle. It is imperative that individuals eat healthy, exercise regularly and follow a healthy routine in life. Eating habits are the key that determine the health of an individual. Eating habits as such can make or break a person's life. Thus when a person suffers from eating disorders, his whole body gets adversely affected. Eating disorders related to laxitives are emerging as a new age disease as a growing number of people have been observed to be suffering from it.

Laxitives Eating Disorders

Laxitives are basically drugs which are used when someone has been suffering from constipation for a long time and require bowel movements. It performs or functions in the colon. However there are people who feel that intake of laxitives would help them in losing excess weight as the food consumed by them would get thrown out of the body. This makes them consume a dangerous amount of laxitives which is dangerous for the body.

Laxitives mainly function in the colon and not in the stomach. Thus by the time the food reaches the colon all the calories and fats are already absorbed by the body. Thus it is no use taking the laxitives as what would get thrown out of the body is simply excess water which is retained in 48 hours. The use of laxatives indiscriminately can cause great trouble for the body and medically it is extremely harmful. Some of the ill-effects of over use of laxatives are as follows:
1) Severe pain in the abdominal parts.
2) Chronic Diarrhea
3) Severe dehydration
4) Bloating
5) Gas
6) Nausea tic sensation and frequent vomiting.
7) Electrolyte disturbances. Muscle weakening
9) Hemorrhaging
10) Seizures
11) Black outs
12) Shallow breathing
13) Chest pains
14) Convulsions
15) Fatigue
16) Blurred vision

Conclusion
There are several other physical problems which arise indirectly due to the consumption of laxatives. To lose weight, regular exercise and controlled diet is the only way out. Use of laxatives is certainly a hazardous path to follow for losing excess weight.

Information on Eating Disorders- Eating Disorders- Did You Know?

Sunny — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:45:07 +0000

One of the new age maladies plaguing individuals gravely is the phenomenon of eating disorders. Changing lifestyles, work pressures, stress, media influence and several other factors are responsible for causing eating disorders among individuals.

What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorder refers to that condition of an individual where he does not follow normal food patterns, with unusual eating habits. He has trouble eating the normal meals. Eating disorders can be very harmful and can also result death of an individual.

Eating disorders displays the following different aspects:

1) People suffer from "Anorexia", which is a kind of an eating disorder. This disorder is characterized by under-eating and starvation by an individual. Individuals refuse to gain more than 500 calories of fats. They are constantly under the fear of weight gain and individuals always feel that they are over-weight.
2) Individuals constantly feel fat, despite losing tremendous amounts of weight. They do not even maintain the normal body weight and their intake do not even constitute the normal quantities of calories and nutrients. Thus there is excessive weight loss.
3) Another kind of eating disorder is "Bulimia" which is characterized by binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating very large amounts of food in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories through induced vomiting, over-exercising to the point of body-pain and through the use of laxatives.
4) Frequent dieting.
5) Another aspect of eating disorders is binge-eating where individuals eat-excessively. However they do not purge after eating so much but indulge in fasts and extensive dieting.
6) Individuals suffering from this type of eating disorder often have feelings of shame or self-hatred after binge eating. People involved in binge eating may suffer from anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can aggravate to their binge eating. Individuals' body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.
7) Other kinds of eating disorders include a combination of symptoms of anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating.

Troubles of Eating Disorders:
Individuals suffering from eating disorders normally suffer from the following troubles:
a) Psychological problems like hypertension, depression, anxiety, shame, impulsiveness and such other related troubles.
b) They suffer from digestive problems, dizziness, head-aches and dental problems.
c) Individuals may go through intense emotional and sexual disturbances with even troubles in their relationships.

Conclusion:
Eating Disorders can have extremely adverse effects on the individual's life. It is crucial that individuals understand the importance of a balanced and nutritious diet along with a regular routine of exercise and healthy physical activity. Eating disorders can be easily cured if the individual is determined and has the right attitude.

History of Eating Disorders

Sunny — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:00:09 +0000

What is it?

A condition involving serious problem behaviors regarding food is called an 'Eating Disorder', leading to adoption of harmful food habits. It may be of any type – under-eating, over-eating, vomiting of food after meals, or even taking extreme steps to prevent weight gain by way of excessive exercise or laxative abuse. Two most common types among these are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Teenage girls and women are commonly seen suffering with this disorder, but also found in people with psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety disorder. In such cases, poor nutrition harms body organs, leading to death in some extreme cases.

History of Eating Disorders -

The history of the disorder dates back to many centuries. Scholarly works in the last few decades show that different periods in history have seen numerous cases of acts of voluntary self starvation in different cultures due to combinations of various social and economic factors leading to anorexic behavior. Anorexia Nervosa is of recent origin (later part of 19th century).

In the Hellenistic Era, there were reports of willful overeating or voracious hunger by the male hermits renouncing the material world and also a group of wealthy Roman ladies.

As the Roman Empire fell, cases of voluntary fasting reduced. During "Dark Ages", with frequent famines, plagues, wars, three cases anorexia were reported, two of them of young women.

During the Renaissance, anorexic behavior reached alarming proportions especially in Southern Europe, in the wealthy urban areas. Holy Anorexia, starvation for religious reasons was adopted by women who were conferred sainthood during the period between 1200 and 1600 A.D. Later, as Reformation redefined European values, holy Anorexia greatly declined.

19th century saw many cases, and Leseque and Gull described Anorexia Nervosa. During the Industrial Revolution, more women joining labor force suffered this disorder.

In 1982, women usually coming from poor families claimed to starve without nourishment, sparking off debate between the church and the scientific materialism, acquired international fame as 'miracle maids'.

Anorexia cases decreased during World Wars and depression and again increased during late sixties. Bulimia Nervosa and a different motivation of the disorder emerged (fear of becoming fat) at the turn of the century.

It can be seen that over the centuries different social factors have influenced the people's psychology thereby resulting in different frequencies of the disorder. The disorder was not seen much when food was scarce, but only after the economy recovered.

Help for Eating disorder

Sunny — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:45:05 +0000

Eating disorders hampers body's normal functioning causes long-term health problems. Eating disorders involve disturbances in eating, such as:
1) Not eating enough, starving or limiting calories to very low level.
2) Eating low Calorie food at the expense of a nutritional and healthy diet.
3) Eating huge amounts of food in short period of time
4) Taking drastic measures to reduce or maintain body weight (purging through vomiting; excessive exercise; fasting)

Treatment/Help:
The goal of treatment is to develop a healthy relationship with food, to develop constructive ways to cope with life and its challenges. Treatment needs to address both physical and psychological aspects of eating disorders.

Psychological therapy:
1. Individual therapy as treatment for eating disorders: Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships, body image concerns, and identity formation are the concerned issues on which therapy is provided.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Emphasizes the relationship between thoughts and feelings by focusing on a person's thought processes.
3. Interpersonal therapy -Helps to analyze difficult relationships and how to resolve them
4. Rational Emotive Therapy -Generates awareness on a one's false beliefs.
5. Psychoanalysis therapy – Helps to analyze a person's past experiences and make correction in present behavior.

Family therapy as treatment for eating disorders:
Family therapy involves close members of the patient' family. Expert in this case Family Therapist helps family to develop ways to cope with concern issues. The success of this treatment is dependent on the family being willing to participate and make changes to their behaviors. Family therapy also offers education to family members about eating disorders and how to support the patient.

Group therapy for the treatment of eating disorders
Group therapy provides a supportive network of people who are suffering from same problems. Group addresses issues like alternative coping strategies, root cause of problem, and ways to change behaviors.

Support groups for the treatment of eating disorders
Support groups are not headed by professionals, but by people who have suffered, either personally or indirectly. Support groups differ from therapy groups in that they are intended to offer mutual support, increased understanding, and information.

Online professional support as treatment for eating disorders:
Many people with eating problems do not seek help, as they are ashamed. On-line therapy has also helped many patients.

Medical treatment for eating disorders
Many physical complications can result from an eating disorder. Left unattended, eating disorders can lead to serious health problems or even death.
a) Antidepressants
b) For marinating electrolyte balance

Nutritional counseling
Establishment of a well-balanced diet is essential to recovery. Nutritional counseling and advice can help the person to identify their phobia about food and the complications of not eating well. Information about the nutritional value of food is also important as victim has misconception about food.

Warning: The above-recommended treatments are a general guide. Get an expert help.

Gymnastics eating disorders

Sunny — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:30:04 +0000

Eating disorders are found in all sports; sports that emphasize leanness for performance and appearance are at a significantly greater risk. Hence, gymnasts, long-distance runners, divers, and figure skaters are more prone to developing eating disorders then those who compete in nonweight-restricting sports such as volleyball or football. In the 1992, a survey carried in America concluded that 51% of the gymnastics programs that responded reported this illness among its team members, a far greater number compare to other sports.

Causes for Eating disorders in Gymnasts
1. Excess weight can hinder performance.
2. Judging gymnastics routines is not as objective. Each judge assigns a score according to his or her own beliefs. Thus, the appearance of the performer may actually influence their perceptions and affect their ultimate decision.
3. A third reason for the greater prevalence of eating disorders among these gymnasts is coaches. As weight impairs performance, coaches overplay this aspect and instruct on weight control.

Relationship between body weight and performance:
Usually it is said that an inverse relationship exists between body weight or composition and athletic performance. The higher the body weight, the poorer the performance and vice versa. One study examined the physiological performance variables needed for skills in the routines of elite gymnasts, such as running speed, jumping height, and hand strength. This investigation found that there was no correlation between body weight and the performance of these behaviors. In a different study, however, it said that weight impinges on performance. Thus there are contradictory views.

Impact of severe weight loss:
Rapid weight loss techniques lead to severe consequences that affect both the performance and the overall health of gymnasts. These include fatigue, nutrient inadequacies, and impaired growth. In women consequences include amenorrohoea (cessation of period). Severe estrogen deficiency causes cessation of menstruation, which leads to bone loss and osteoporosis later in life.

Gender concerns:
Eating disorder often strikes young women who try to evade the natural process of becoming adults. They use drastic measures to maintain a thin and girlish figure. Today's female gymnast must maintain girlish figure to stay reach top. For them, the onset of womanhood is scary as it means developing hips or breasts that might impinge their performance. As demonstrated by such famous gymnasts as Kathy Johnson and Nadia Comaneci who have struggled with eating disorders themselves, women's gymnastics seems "designed for the disease".

Measures Required:
1. Developing better criteria for judging a gymnasts performance.
2. Educating Coaches and Judges about the eating disorders.
3. Training Coaches to detect Eating disorders.
4. Creating Help lines and Support Groups.

Facts about eating disorder

Sunny — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:30:29 +0000

An eating disorder is a compulsion in which the main problem is a person eats in a way which disturbs their physical health. The eating may be too excessive (compulsive over-eating), too limited (restricting), may include normal eating punctuated with episodes of purging, may include cycles of binging and purging, or may encompass the ingesting of non-foods. The best-known eating disorders are Anorexia nervosa. It occurs due to headache, obesity and migraine. We should eat properly to avoid these things. The person should maintain his health and eat his food at time. There are seven types of diseases occurred due to eating disorders:

1. Anorexia nervosa
2. Beriberi
3. binge eating disorder
4. hyperphagia
5. rumination
6. obesity
7. pica

Over 50% of the sufferers of an eating disorder also have a comorbid diagnosis of severe mental depression. We should be precautious about food and health specially. We should not neglect food. Proper eating should be there for good health. People with this disorder believe they are overweight, even when their bodies become grotesquely distorted by malnourishment. These disorders generally afflict women-particularly in adolescence and young adulthood-and are much less common among men.

Recognizing of Eating disorders:
Because of so many people with eating disorders keep them a secret, their conditions can go unnoticed for long periods of time, even years. With anorexia, signs such as extreme weight loss are easier to see. But the bulimics who can stay at their normal body weight may be better able to hide their illness. Family members and friends may notice some of the warning signs of an eating disorder.

A person with anorexia may:
1) Eat only safe foods, low in calories and fat.
2) Have odd rituals, such as cutting food into small pieces or measuring food.
3) Spend more time playing with food than eating it.
4) Cook meals for others without eating.
5) Exercise to excess.
6) Dress in layers to hide weight loss.

Types of eating disorders:
1. Anorexia nervosa
2. Bulimia nervosa
3. Binge eating disorder.

So eating disorders are also often associated with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. Bulimia nervosa may be particularly associated with substance abuse problems. The anorexia nervosa is often associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The scope of related problems associated with eating disorders highlights the need for prompt treatment and intervention.

Effects of Eating Disorders- Eating Disorders and its Impending dangers.

Sunny — Sun, 18 May 2008 03:15:04 +0000

Eating Disorders have become a grave phenomenon in modern times. With the lifestyles changing drastically, eating disorders is a matter of serious concern. It can have life-threatening consequences on an individual's life.

Eating Disorders:

Eating Disorders are mainly new-age diseases. Some of the major characteristics of eating disorders is that individuals suffer from eating maladies like over-eating or under-eating, purging, binge-eating and other related problems. Individuals suffer from eating disorders not just physically but even psychologically.

Effects of Eating Disorders:

There are several eating disorders which have immense ill-effects on individuals. Some of the important effects are as follows:

1) Individuals suffering from eating disorders always feel unwell- physically and mentally.
2) Thus the quality of life too is severely affected.
3) Eating disorder can cause constipation.
4) Eating disorder can also cause infections.
5) Individuals also suffer from stomach ache due to eating disorder.
6) Low pulse and anemia are some of the other effects caused by it.
7) Eating disorders also lead to kidney damage. It can cause cardiovascular disorders and also lead to shortage of skeletal calcium.
9) One of the major aspects of eating disorders is people often induce vomiting after meals. This can cause damage to teeth, shortage of minerals and enlarged salivary glands.
10) People use laxatives which cause obstacles in the normal functioning of stomach, stomach ulcers and heart rhythm problems.
11) It can cause permanent damage to the body as a result of strict diet and lack of essential calories and proteins.
12) Other very important effects of eating disorders are amenorrhea (interruption in menstrual cycle), red blood cell diminution, and osteoporosis: loss of bone density, muscular weakness, insomnia, hair loss, and body hair increase and skin dryness.
13) Obesity can increase the risk of diabetes, respiratory disorders, bilary calculosis, arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, arthrosis of backbone and of lower limbs, nocturnal apnoea, drop in the level of hormones and even cancer.

However, apart from these effects there are other psychological effects of eating disorders. Also some of the effects can also be such that they are of a completely different nature and till now have not been seen or observed.

Conclusion:

This shows that eating disorders can destroy the whole fabric of the life of an individual. It affects the well-being of the individual in a profound way. Thus individuals must follow a regular and a balanced and nutritious diet along with regular exercises.

Eating Disorders- Its all about Healthy Eating!

Sunny — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:15:16 +0000

A well balanced diet and good food habits is the secret of the well being of an individual. A healthy and happy life depends largely on what you eat and the food habits that you follow. However the modern lifestyle and brought with it some disadvantages among which eating disorders form a crucial part.

Learning about Eating Disorders:

Eating disorder can be a very serious illness with far-reaching consequences. Treating eating disorder can be easy once it is properly identified.

To ascertain that an individual suffers from eating disorder, the following points can be checked out:

1) If an individual is obsessed of eating, he suffers from an eating disorder.
2) If individuals deny food for themselves when they are hungry, they suffer from eating disorders.
3) If they over-exercise to the point of physical pain and injury after taking meals, they have an eating disorder.
4) When individuals vomit after taking meals, they suffer from eating disorder.
5) They can suffer from it when they eat large quantities of food uncontrollably.
6) If individuals use diuretics or laxatives regularly they suffer from an eating disorder.

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Types of Eating Disorders:

The two main types of eating disorders are- Bulimia and Anorexia.

Bulimia: In Bulimia, individuals tend to eat uncontrollably. They eat excessively and then purge by taking laxatives.

Anorexia: This is opposite to Bulimia where individuals starve themselves and do not allow themselves to eat more than 500 calories per day.

There are several other disorders which are characterized by consumption of large quantities of food and not necessarily coupled with purging.

Steps to Control Eating disorder:

Some of the important steps to be followed to control eating disorder are as follows:

1) Control Bulimia.
2) Stop anorexic pattern of eating.
3) Discard binge eating.
4) Follow a healthy, nutritious and a balanced diet.
5) Exercise regularly.
6) Proper control over mind and think positively.
7) Stop taking diuretics and laxatives.

Conclusion:

Eating disorder can be treated and overcome easily with self-control and through the support of family, friends and professional dieticians. So the new mantra must be " Eat Healthy and Think Healthy!"

Eating Disorders Treatment- Finding Ways of Healthy Eating!

Sunny — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:30:47 +0000

A person can remain happy, contented and can lead a normal life only when his basic needs are satisfied. Food is, of course, a basic requirement. But when food itself becomes a problem factor for an individual then it can have adverse effects on the individual's life itself. Eating disorders can have unthinkable effects on an individual. Hence treating eating disorders becomes extremely crucial.

Eating Disorders:

Eating Disorder can have several aspects, wherein, an individual can show anorexic and bulimic tendencies, indulge in binge eating, suffer from problems like over-eating or purging after having meals, have problems consuming meals or such other related problems. Individuals can suffer from food-related phobias.

Treatment for Eating Disorders:

There can be several easy of treating eating disorders. The treatment mainly depends on the nature and degree of the disorder that an individual is suffering and can differ from person to person. Some of the ways of treatment are as follows:

1) If a person is suffering from anorexia which is mainly characterized by under-eating and very low calorie-intake, then the first step in its treatment is restoration of the weight that has been lost due to dieting and purging. The next step is treating psychological troubles like low self-esteem, distorted body images.
2) If a person is suffering from bulimia, then he must undergo a treatment wherein he must first be stopped from binge-eating and purging.
3) Individuals must first begin a nutritional and balanced diet.
4) They must be encouraged to indulge in optimum exercises and must refrain from over-exercising.
5) Individuals can also be given psychological treatments for changing their attitude towards eating and also treat anxiety or mood disorders. Individual psychotherapy or group psychotherapy uses a cognitive behaviour approach of treatment which can be very useful.
6) To treat bulimia medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can prove to be useful for people.
7) Individuals must monitor their progress at regular time-intervals. Counseling can also help a great deal in treating eating disorders.

Conclusion:

Eating disorders need to be treated with a great amount of determination. The individuals must first learn to accept their illness and make positive moves in the right direction to overcome the illness.

Eating Disorders in elderly – Overview

Sunny — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:02:56 +0000

Both Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa can occur in the elderly people. Most of the cases show a similarity in the features of the disorder suffered by the elderly and the young people. These features include clinical features, psychological issues, and a close relationship with other issues such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Both vulnerability factors and precipitating factors lead to the disorder in the elderly. The disorder is usually not diagnosed properly among the elderly due to the symptom being considered secondary to the other physical or psychological conditions.

Anorexia is illnesses which can be kept secret easily by people who unsociable, depressed and lonely – the elderly.

Factors causing / Causes of Eating Disorders among elderly -

Elderly people usually suffer from weight loss and anorexia. Some cases show that anorexia in elderly may be as a result of age related diseases, but there can be cases of actual anorexia associated with age.

Physical and emotional causes may lead to loss of appetite. Some of these causes can be listed as – badly fitting dentures making eating difficult and painful, loss of sense of smell and taste making food unattractive, infection in the body, bowel problems.

Estimates – Facts and Figures -

Researches conducted in the recent year's show that the eating disorders when occur in the elderly are more fatal, contributing to 78% of overall anorexia deaths.

The University Of British Columbia Psychologists conducted a study of 10.5 million deaths for a period of four years showing that the average age of deaths due to anorexia nervosa was 69 in women and 80 in men. Other researches across the globe show that many people suffer from the disorders in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

Treatment -

Counseling with a professional always helps. There are many organizations; both physical as well as online that provide treatment and counseling. There are many websites providing online programs that help the elderly to -

1. Plan and participate in their recovery.
2. Wok on the symptoms and stop indulging in self-destructive behavior.
3. Monitor the progress.
4. Planning exercises and strategies.
5. Sharing thoughts and feelings with the others through the Discussion Board.

Eating Disorders in Children- A major Concern.

Sunny — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:00:27 +0000

Eating disorders can have dire results for any individual. If a child suffers from eating disorders then it can ruin the entire life of the child. A child must follow proper eating habits and if he is found to have eating disorders then it must be overcome with immediate effect.

Identifying Eating Disorders among Children:

To identify that a child is suffering from an eating disorder, the following points need to be considered:

a) Child refuses to eat or eats very little.
b) Child has a great fear of being fat.
c) He has a distorted body image of himself.
d) Over-exercising for a long time.
e) Child regularly hoards and hides food.
f) Eating secretly.
g) Disappearing to the bathroom after eating.
h) Immense increase or decrease in weight.
i) He becomes socially inactive.
j) Depression and irritability.
k) Cramps in stomach.
l) Dizziness
m) Sleep problems
n) Causes vomiting
o) Dry skin
p) Muscle weakness
q) Change of skin-colour. Skin becomes yellow in colour.

Treating Eating Disorders among Children:
Some of the important steps to be taken to cure eating disorders among children are as follows:
1) Put an end to the child's anorexic behavior and initiate a process of weight gain.
2) The child must eat diet which contains necessary nutrients along with a normal eating pattern.
3) Helping the child in improving his self-esteem.
4) Adolescent children, especially girls want to look like their favorite models and celebrities and want to have that perfect body-figure and hence go on an anorexic diet which needs to be curtailed.
5) Parents must make sure that their child follows a routine of proper diet and exercise.

Conclusion:
Eating Disorders among children is increasing alarmingly all over the world. There are several causes for it like parental negligence, rapidly changing food habits, decrease in the focus on a balanced diet and an ever-changing lifestyle. This has resulted in the children becoming obese, under-nourished, and anemic and develops eating disorders. Children are the future of any country and it is necessary that the future generation is strong, healthy and full of zest and vigor.

Eating disorders in ballet dancers

Sunny — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:00:22 +0000

Nimble-footed ballet dancers are a treat to watch. Their thin and slim figures and their balancing act on tiny toes make us marvel at their performances. But not many are aware of the lengths to which these dancers go to in order to keep themselves looking that way.

Eating disorders and body weight:

Ballet dancers are constant weight watchers. They can get quite panicky if they put on even a bit more weight than they are supposed to possess. They ignore any weight-gain advice and are always under immense pressure to diet and maintain equality with their peers and other ballet dancers. Low body weight and mental disturbances can cause ballet dancers to face primary and secondary problems due to eating disorders.

Self-induced eating disorders:

Ballet dancers are known to induce eating disorders. In their craze to keep looking slim and fit, many ballet dancers induce vomiting, change regular food habits and time and also disturb themselves mentally and physically just to stay in with the ballet-dancing image. They eat at irregular intervals, do too much of exercise and restrict themselves to only particular foods. Constantly watching over their weight and worrying about becoming obese at the slightest hint of weight gain, these ballet dancers are definitely not as cheerful as they are made out to be.

Bulimia and binge eating:

Over exercising and practicing too much can have its negative effects. Binge eating often occurs when a ballet dancer can suddenly resort to eating without restrictions. While doing so, too much of thought about food intake and then throwing it all up is also not of much use. Eating only to survive and not to live takes away much from life and that is definitely not advisable. Media's images of charming and petite ballet dancers do convey the wrong message to young minds. The actual eating disorders found amongst these ballet dancers are hidden away from media glare. Many a times, these young ballet dancers skip their meals inviting stomach ailments over a period of time.

Taking care today for a healthier tomorrow:

Young ballet dancers must look into their eating disorders and find a remedy to suit their lifestyles and must-stay-fit attitudes. Taking professional medical help is not a bad idea if that would mean a healthier tomorrow.

Celebrities with Eating Disorders

Sunny — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:15:12 +0000

An eating disorder is not the bane of common people. It affects celebrities too. Recent surveys and reviews have celebrities talking about how once upon a time before they became celebrities, they faced eating disorders in their lives, and how they overcame their binges or still continue to struggle with the same though putting up a brave front to the world outside.

Celebrity Watch

Most celebrities that we come across seem to have the perfect figure one aims for. Exercising no end and keeping a strict watch on their food intake as well as weight loss or gain, these celebrities, at times, send out the wrong signals to the youth and the general public who find themselves imitating what their favorite stars eat or do not eat.

Eating disorders or lifestyles gone awry?

Pressure to keep looking fit and plastic smiles to portray happiness and a general well-being have celebrities wreak havoc on their eating habits. You cannot look obese or starved, you cannot look worried, and you cannot definitely look as if you are stressed out. But the fact remains, that underneath all that is put up for you by these celebrities in the different magazines or videos, they are all people who crave a good food schedule and are more tired of their eating disorders than anyone else. A healthy lifestyle is not one most of today's celebrities can claim to have.

Copying celebrities

A majority of teenagers and youth look up to celebrities as their idols and adapt to whatever they say. What celebrities wear becomes a fashion trend, what celebrities enjoy doing becomes the most happening zone and what celebrities eat or do not eat becomes the mantra for many an impressionable mind. Copying celebrities' lifestyles without applying mind or matter can result in serious eating disorders. One must realize the fact that seemingly successful men and women with figures like hourglasses are wreaking havoc in their lives with their eating disorders and are likely to face many health problems later on in their lives.

Coping with normal life

However hard a celebrity may try, he or she knows that keeping fit and looking healthy is their only way to remain in news. Any wrong eating decision can give wrong signals to their fans. A star is known by his fan following and a normal life is definitely what they yearn for. It is for us normal people to take the right attitudes and habits of these celebrities and not follow them blindly.

Causes of Eating Disorders

Sunny — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:00:32 +0000

An eating disorder is a condition where the person tends to either starve or binge on his food. Eating disorders are induced due to various factors some of which are psychological while some could be biological. An eating disorder is more often due to a conscious obsessiveness with food or against it.

Biological and Psychological causes of eating disorders

Biological factors like temperament, anxiety and obsessive and compulsive thoughts and behaviors. Obesity and binge eating are indications of a disturbed-eating schedule. Stress and obesity are common links. Psychological factors like undue pressure from family and peers, inadequacy in dealing with certain situations, anger or self-improvement can also cause eating disorders.

Family and social factors causing eating disorders

Family pressures have been known to induce eating disorders. Constant comparisons with family members or others, overprotective families, family members who give too much importance to physical appearance, families that face a lot of stress and emotional moments have more than one family member suffering from an eating disorder. Friends and partners can also help to form eating habits. If you are constantly dining out and eating at various odd hours just to keep up with your friends, this could just result in a unhealthy lifestyle for you.

Other Causes

The multitude of media coverage on eating habits and the umpteen number of articles and diet advise that one is subjected to can also result in one blindly following them. Each one of us has a different food intake pattern and this must be kept in mind to avoid eating disorders. Also feelings such as happiness and sorrow, cheerfulness and being able to cope with peer pressure can result in eating disorders. Media images that project happy and successful men and women with figures like hourglasses, does tend to have a negative effect on impressionable young minds. Some events are also known to trigger eating disorders. Adults who are not sure how to cope with a certain situation may resort to binges or starvation. Relationships, jobs, social environment and many other factors can cause a person to overeat or not eat for hours together.

Taking care

The simplest remedy for any eating disorder victim is to start eating healthy. Do not follow untested and trial or crash diets. Follow your heart and eat at regular intervals in enough quantity and maintain the quality as well. Do not trouble your mind and body with food obsessions and live a happy life.

Bulimia eating disorders

Sunny — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 08:15:46 +0000

Bulimia is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by overeating within a short period of time and then purging to get rid of the calories consumed. Men and women who live with Bulimia bring about binge and purge episodes several times per day for months or years, sometimes unknown even to close family members. The most common cause of all Eating Disorder is the inherent presence of a low self-esteem.

Causes:
1. Poor body image
2. Depression
3. Trauma
4. Major life events or stresses
5. A genetic predisposition
Symptoms:

1. Bulimics often are of normal weight or overweight because they eat a lot.
2. Reuses Company while eating alone and the time period after eating, to allow for purging.
3. Eating unusually large amounts of food with no apparent change in weight.
4. Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, evidence of laxatives or diuretics.
5. Excessive, rigid exercise regimen.
6. Preoccupation with body weight, weight loss, dieting, and control of food.
7. A poor Body Image.
8. Withdrawal
9. Severe self-criticism.
10. Depression
11. Discolored or callused finger joints-inserting fingers down the throat to induce vomiting can damage the outer surfaces of the hand.
12. Constipation and diarrhea.
13. Mouth Ulcers

Types of Bulimia:
The two types of bulimia are classified by how the person reacts after the binge eating.
The Purging type of bulimia is when after binge-eating person induces vomiting or uses a diuretic, laxative, or enema to purge food from the body.
The Nonpurging type of bulimia is when the person does not induce vomiting, but instead fasts or engages in excessive exercise to use up calories.

Complications of Starving:

If not stopped, starving can lead to irreversible physical damage and even death. Medical problems, which can arise, are listed below:
1. Irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest, death
2. Kidney damage, renal failure, death
3. Liver damage
4. Loss of muscle mass. Broomstick arms and legs.
5. Permanent loss of bone mass. Fractures, Osteoporosis, and hump.
6. Low immunity.
7. Anemia, malnutrition. Disruption of body's fluid/mineral balance.
8. Fainting spells, sleep disruption, bad dreams, and mental fuzziness.
9. Depression
10. Anxiety

Treatment:

Fortunately, treatment is available for eating disorders. The most common element surrounding eating disorders is the inherent presence of a low self-esteem. Thus treatment consists of counseling, treating physical problem, Psychotherapy. The goal of mental health treatment is to provide a support system and end the isolation and shame commonly felt by patients

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
1. It involves changing responses to stressful situations, and learning to cope with situation rather than use food as a first resort.
2. Helps in changing self-perception about body shape and weight.

Interpersonal psychotherapy
1. Focuses on improving relationships with family and friends
Family therapy: Involves family and teaches to cope with situation.
Anti-depressants: Drugs to help alleviate sadness and despair.
Self-help groups: People suffering from same problems come together and help to overcome the problem by sharing

Binge Eating Disorders

Sunny — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:30:09 +0000

People suffering from Binge Eating Disorder have a combination of symptom that is sufferer periodically goes on large binges, consuming an unusually large quantity of food in a short period of time (within 2 hours) eating until they are uncomfortable. Weight is usually average or in some cases slightly overweight. People suffering from Binge disorder find it difficult to loose weight. They do not purge or vomit after eating episode as in Bulimia.

Causes of Binge eating Disorder:

1. Depression: Up to half of all people with binge eating disorder have a history of depression;
2. Dieting: Chronic dieting may lead to bad eating habits.
3. Coping skills: Many report that anger; sad ness, boredom, worry, or stress leads to trigger a binge episode.
4. Biological: Research indicates metabolism and hormones or enzymes may cause binge attack

Symptoms:

1. Recurrent attacks of binge eating- eating in a short period of time a huge amount of food or a serving, which normally people will not consume.
2. Lack of control -Feeling that one does not have control over eating.
3. Distressed after binge attack.
4. Attacks of binge eating often occur twice at least every week.
5. Eats very rapidly while eating.
6. Eating alone is embarrassed of huge diet.
7. Feeling guilty after binge attack.
8. No compensatory behavior (such as vomiting, laxative abuse, or excessive exercise) after bingeing.

Complications;

Medical:
A person suffering from Binge Eating Disorder is at Health risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, kidney disorder, and arthritis and bone deterioration.

Psychological:
1) Depression leading to self-harm or suicide.
2) Feeling of helplessness.
3) Anxiety
4) Guilt or shame
5) Feeling of alienation or loneliness
6) Absenteeism at work and school;
7) Preoccupation with appearance Strain on relationships with family and friends
9) Low self esteem
10) Low energy
11) Avoidance of social gatherings

Treatment: Treatment options for binge eating disorder include Psychotherapy, Counseling, and Medicine.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
1) It involves changing responses to stressful situations, and learning to cope with situation rather than use food as a first resort.
2) Helps in changing self-perception about body shape and weight.

Interpersonal psychotherapy
1. Focuses on improving relationships with family and friends
Anti-depressants: Drugs to help alleviate sadness and despair,
Self-help groups: People suffering from same problems come together and help to overcome the problem by sharing experiences.

Athlete and Eating Disorder

Sunny — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:45:17 +0000

Ambitious, competitive people who base self-worth on performance excellence and winning seem to be at higher risk of developing eating disorders. Eating disorders continue to be on the rise among athletes, especially those involved in sports that place great emphasis on to be thin and lean. Sports such as gymnastics, figure skating, dancing and synchronized swimming have a higher percentage of athletes with eating disorders, than sports such as basketball, skiing and volleyball.

Causes of eating disorders among athletes
1) The idealization of thinness in our society: Judges rewarded thinner athletes
2) The belief that lower body fat enhances performance
3) Body Dissatisfaction: Athletes at risk for eating disorders are often those who are critical of their own athletic performance and who express these concerns by dissatisfaction with their bodies

Risk Groups:
1) Gymnastics
2) Swimming
3) Ballet
4) Wrestling
5) Body Building
6) Jockeying
7) Rowing Diving

Male and female athletes: different risk factors:
Males also develop eating disorders but at a much reduced incidence (approximately 90% female; 10% male). The female athlete is subject to the constant social pressure to be thin as she is in sports milieu that may overvalue performance, low body fat, and an idealized, unrealistic body shape, size, and weight. Many sports demand low percentages of body fat. In general, men have more lean muscle tissue and less fatty tissue. Males also have higher metabolic rates than females thus women put on weight easily.

Complications of Eating Disorders in Athletes
1. Eating disorders may result in symptoms, which can lower performance.
2. Fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness, broken bones, leg cramps, and irregular heart rate are common.
3. Low thyroid hormones, poor heart and circulatory function, osteoporosis, and electrolyte imbalance can also occur.
4. Irregular menses or absence of Menses in female athlete can lead to osteoporosis and infertility problems.

Treatment
1. Psychological counseling addresses the eating disordered symptoms the underlying psychological, interpersonal, and cultural factors.
2. Nutritional counseling is also necessary as athletes have special nutritional need.
3. Family therapy
4. Gynecological treatment for amenorrohoea (lack of Menses).
5. Medical treatment for hormonal and other physical problems.

Anorexia Nervosa

Sunny — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:02:06 +0000

Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves. Anorexia usually begins in young people. Individuals suffering from anorexia have extreme weight loss. Statistics shows one percent of teenage girls in the U.S. develop anorexia nervosa and up to 10% of those may die as a result.

Risk Group
Anorexia affect primarily people in their teens and twenties, but studies report both disorders in children as young as six and individuals as old as seventy-six.

Causes for Anorexia:
1. Biological factors: Genetic.
2. Psychological factors: People who feel inadequate.
3. Family factors: Overprotective family.
4. Social factors: appearance-obsessed friends or romantic partners.
5. Cultural factors: Culture characterized by competitive striving for success.
6. Media factors: Produces messages, which develop wrong body images

Symptoms:

1) Physical
Body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height usually 15% below normal weight.
a) Girls do not start periods or loss of at least 3 consecutive menstrual periods in adults.
b) Not wanting or refusing to eat.
c) Weakness.
d) Brittle skin.
e) Shortness of breath.
f) Sex drive disappears or is much diminished.

2) Psychological
In addition, anorexia nervosa often includes behavioral and emotional problems
a) Depression
b) Irritability
c) Withdrawal
d) Person may develop strange eating habits classifying food into "good/safe" and "bad/dangerous" categories.
e) The person loses, or tries to lose, weight.
f) Fear of weight gain and obesity.
g) Wears baggy clothes, sometimes in layers
h) Moody, irritable, cross, snappish, and touchy.
i) Feels inadequate, fearful of not measuring up. Frequently experiences depression, anxiety, guilt, and loneliness.

Complications of Starving:

Treatment:
Fortunately, treatment is available for eating disorders. The most common element surrounding Eating Disorders is the inherent presence of a low self-esteem. Thus treatment consists of Counseling, treating physical problem, Psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy
1. Focuses on improving relationships with family and friends
Anti-depressants: Drugs to help alleviate sadness and despair.
Self-help groups: People suffering from same problems come together and help to overcome the problem by sharing