Eating Disorders

Many people are overly self conscious about the way they look.  For example, some people obsess over how much they weigh.  Although it may seem normal to care about appearance, excessive worry is not healthy.  Some teenagers worry about their weight so much that they eventually develop an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are serious problems that should not be overlooked or underestimated.  About 70 million individuals in the world suffer from an eating disorder. Two common eating disorders include anorexia and bulimia.

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.  Symptoms include:

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level
• Intense fear of weight gain or being "fat"
• Feeling "fat" or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
• Loss of menstrual periods
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food in short periods of time, and then ridding the body of the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising.  Symptoms include:

• Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
• Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
• Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
• Frequent dieting
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape

Who is most likely to get an eating disorder?  Teens and those in their twenties make up the majority of anorexia or bulimia cases, but these eating disorders can occur at any age and aren't just a "female thing."  In fact, 10% of those who suffer from these disorders are male.

Eating disorders cause a number of health problems and can even lead to death.  If you know a friend who may have an eating disorder, get them help.  You can get help at your local Safe Place, or you can look for other support, such as teachers, guidance counselors, hotlines, and family members.  Talk to your friends about their eating habits and what you've observed.  Let them know that you care and suggest that they seek professional help.

Check out these websites for more information about eating disorders:

• National Eating Disorders Association
• Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness
• Help Guide: Anorexia Nervosa

Statistics - Eating Disorders (Source: SADD):

• More than 5 million Americans experience eating disorders.
• Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are diseases that affect both the mind and body.  
• About 3% of women and 1% of men have anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. 
• A young woman with anorexia is 12 times more likely to die than a women her age without anorexia.
• About 15% of young women have substantially disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. 
• Between 10-15% of those diagnosed with bulimia nervosa are men. 
• Some 40% of fourth graders report that they diet either "very often" or "sometimes."   
• About half of those with anorexia or bulimia have a full recovery, 30% have a partial recovery, and 20% have no substantial improvement. 
• After puberty in the United States, 5-10 million girls and women, and 1 million boys and men, struggle with eating disorders.
• Approximately 90-95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are girls and women.
• Between 1-2% of American women suffer from anorexia nervosa.
• Anorexia nervosa is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses in young women.
• Anorexia nervosa typically appears in early to mid-adolescence. 
• Bulimia nervosa affects 1-3% of middle and high school girls, and 1-4% of college age women.  
• About 80% of bulimia nervosa patients are female.