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.

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