Eating Disorders in the United States Eating disorders are becoming more common in the United States every day. The medical field should direct more focus toward diagnosing and treating eating disorders. Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder (BED), and other psychological disorders are involuntary, and often go ignored or undiagnosed. These disorders have many dangerous medical side effects, and often are not diagnosed properly. With the numbers increasing every year, eating disorders have become a serious problem for many people besides just teenage girls. Eating disorders are not quite as simple as many people have been led to believe. According to Michelle New of KidsHealth, Eating disorders are more than just going on a diet to lose …show more content…
People with binge eating disorder do not eat just because they want to or because it is fun. They eat because of the intense cravings that can rarely be satisfied without pushing the patient to the point of self disgust. Binge eating disorder is unfortunately the most common eating disorder in the United States. Healthline Media reports, “Binge eating disorder affects three times the number of people diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia combined” (Binge). Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder, and is often cause for weight gain. These disorders more often than not lead to unhealthy bodily conditions as a direct result of significant weight loss or gain. “According to the American Psychiatric Association, medical professionals diagnose anorexia when a patient weighs at least 15 percent less than the normal weight for the patient’s height and age” (Medical). To be classified as anorexic, a patient must be at least 15 percent less than the healthy weight for that patient’s build, height, age, and gender. Rachel Gussin, reporter for LiveStrong, states, “Being underweight is different than being slender. Those who are underweight are putting their health, and potentially their lives, in danger” (Gussin). A person can also be classified as simply “underweight” if their BMI (body mass index) is below 18.5, but BMI does not take into account age and genetics. American Psychiatric Association also states, “Due to severe calorie restrictions, the body does not receive adequate energy through food, and its processes slow down in order to conserve energy” (Medical). Anorexia does not just affect a person’s weight, but many bodily functions as well. Lack of calories and nutrients can lower the anorexic’s body weight, among other
Many people are unaware of the background of eating disorders. Women are more likely than men to develop an eating disorder and they usually develop in childhood before the age of 20 (Ross-Flanigan 1). Women as well as men can develop an eating disorder; it is just more likely for a woman to develop one. Eating disorders are usually developed in adolescent or childhood years when a person is influenced the most. Also “Eating disorders are psychological conditions that involve overeating, voluntary starvation, or both. Anorexia nervosa, anorexic bulimia, and binge eating are the most well-known types of eating disorders” (Ross-Flanigan 1). Many people assume that an eating disorder is when a person staves themselves; they do not realize that it can involve overeating as well. Some eating disorders also involve purging, but not all. People with an eating disorder fear gaining weight even when they are severely underweight. They do not lack an appetite (Ross-Flanigan 1). These people are
Nowadays, when people emphasis more and more on healthy lifestyles, both exercise and food intake have become a big part of the consideration. With the goals of being fit and losing weight, some people eat irregularly or do not eat at all. As a result, eating disorders seem more often on news and reports. However, some people still view it as a joke. With the increasing number of people diagnosed with eating disorders, people should raise awareness on the effects of eating disorders and treat them seriously.
Characteristics of anorexia are dieting despite being thin and having an obsession with caloric intake as well as fat grams. An anorexic person often pretends to eat or will lie about their intake of meals because of their belief of being overweight. With all of the food restrictions many problems occur in the body and outside of the body. Some of these risks include the drastic change in brain chemistry that makes it difficult for them to think correctly, decrease in memory, fainting, or they may become sad, moody, irritable, or depressed. Other changes would include, hair may become thin and brittle, skin is dry and easily bruises, they get cold easily, and nails often get brittle. However those are not the most dangerous risks. If one is anorexic,
Eating disorders have become an increasing public health problem once thought to be an affliction amongst young women, now an epidemic across culture and gender boundaries. Anorexia gives rise to serious socio-economic and bio-psychological circumstances of our ever vast, growing society. Awareness of eating disorders have increased but perhaps only in proportion to its advancement of its research and treatment. That which still leaves us in a position for a much greater demand for education and heightened awareness of this perplexing disease.
Eating disorders are described as any abnormal eating habits and can range from minor to life-threatening. They result in people making very unhealthy decisions, which cause harmful effects on the mind and body including the “Psychic-emotional, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and reproductive systems.” (Health and Illness PG. 247) It is important to bring attention to this topic because more and more people are being diagnosed with eating disorders every day. Without proper help, people who fall victim to these disorders continue to get sicker. Not only do eating disorders harm one’s body physically, but they can also cause mental or emotional pain. There needs to be more focus on educating society about eating disorders. There also needs to be a push to treat the victim’s disorders so that they can continue to live a healthier lifestyle.
“The eating disorder is a very jealous and abusive partner. It requires a lot of devotion in the extent that you have to devote yourself to tending to the anorexia. There 's not a lot of time left over for adult life,” was stated by Dr. Doug Bunnell, a specialist in eating disorders. Eating disorders effect a variety of people. Age, race, and gender aren’t role playing keys in eating disorders. Not everyone gets an eating disorder, but if they do then, it will more than likely destroy their lives. The person with the eating disorder is affected and so are their families, and friends. Even though there are hundreds of programs to help with eating disorders, thousands of people still suffer from them.
At present, these eating disorders have an effect on roughly 25 million Americans, of which almost 25% are of the male gender. Out of all the psychological disorders, anorexia has the highest mortality rate. The whys and wherefores include malnourishment, substance abuse and reckless suicides. Eating disorders can happen to anyone; no matter whether they’re male or female, rich or poor, old or young. According to many researchers, eating disorders are caused by more than just food. There are numerous
Eating disorders take the lives of millions of teenagers and adults each year, recently becoming the highest mortality rate of any mental illness – but why? Choosing not to eat appears to be a problem with an obvious solution; how could so many Americans be suffering from something that could easily be avoided? The answer is simple — eating disorders are not weight-loss plans gone wrong; they are serious illnesses that pose great health risks. Simply skipping meals does not begin to describe the different aspects of this disease. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and binge eating are only a few of the many types of eating disorders that effect millions of individuals each year. In most cases, the victims of these illnesses have extremely low self-confidence and view themselves as overweight, regardless of their actual size. Researchers and scientists have gathered different statistics on the causes of abnormal eating habits. While there is no obvious or direct motive, these dietary issues can be the result of
Eating disorders in the United States are becoming more and more prominent as the years go by. Up to 24 million people in the United States suffer from eating disorders (ANAD, 2015), according to a secondary source research by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), the oldest and the most prominent organization aimed at fighting various eating disorders in the United States. Prominently, eating disorders in adolescents continue to be a serious problem and may result in premature death or life-long medical and psychosocial morbidity (Vale, B., Brito, S., Paulos, L., & Moleiro, P., 2014). According to a peer-reviewed, primary source by eating disorder specialists, eating disorders are classified according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition , as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorder not otherwise specified (Vale, B., Brito, S., Paulos, L., & Moleiro, P., 2014). The two major eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are very common amongst adolescents, specifically young girls. While the symptoms of anorexia nervosa is more evident through the dramatic change in body weight, bulimia nervosa can be overlooked as many with the disease have a normal body weight (Mulheim, 2012).
Starvation is a very painful process. Many believe that it is the worst way to perish. The wasting away of the body takes an extended amount of time as the body crumbles and organ systems fail. While this progression is horrifying to most, there are many who have chosen this lifestyle. This is very hard to grasp for those who have not experienced ; however, Anorexia Nervosa is a very serious emotional and physiological disorder in which the affected adopts restrictive eating behaviors or starvation, causing them to become unhealthily underweight. This is often a result of emotional trauma from family disfunction, bullying, depression, or molestation. The patient perceives themselves as overweight no matter what the scale says, which makes
In fact, the victims are mostly under or below weight according to the body mass index scale. (Anorexics).However, “Someone with anorexia may also have a distorted body image, shown by thinking she or he is fat” (Anorexia Nervosa). Viewing themselves as fat causes them to purge (forcive vomit). Many of the victims are aware of the health effects caused by purging. However, victims of anorexia only consider what they believe is what is truly seen. These victims will do anything to make sure their issue of being “fat” is resolved. The terrible fact about this mentality is that the victim’s mind will not allow them to see anything other than “fat”. So, telling a victim repeatedly that they are not fat will not be an effective solution to their problem. Thus, making anorexia not only a physical disorder but a mental disorder as well.
Eating disorders have been around for well over a century, and affect tons of people around your neighborhood, town, county, state, or even country that walk, talk, and act just like you. The two big dogs of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, which affect young boys and girls alike that cannot control their feelings when it comes to food. Some decide that food is not their thing, which is known as anorexia; and, some people have a love/hate relationship with food, better known as bulimia. Both of these disorders have consequences and are tough to give up without help from a responsible adult. The two dominate unhealthy eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia, are vastly spreading, predominately damaging young women across the nation.
Eating disorders are characterized by a high preoccupation with weight and an intense dissatisfaction with one’s body image (Institute of Psychiatry, 2015). Some of the most common Eating Disorders (EDs) include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder, however it is important to note that not everyone fits neatly into any of these categories and could display symptoms and behaviors interchangeably. People who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa can be characterized as having very low body weight and being involved in various weight loss activities including being highly food-restrictive and possibly over-exercising (Mascolo et al., 2012). Anorexia also has the highest mortality rate among all the mental illnesses, which includes
Eating Disorders are one of the top ranking disorders and are known to be one of the leading cause of disorders among young women. But in order to better grasp the concept of what causes a disorder such as this one, we must first be able to define it. An Eating Disorder is a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits. Simply put, it is a serious condition related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact an individual’s health, emotions, and ability to function in important areas of their lives. Those suffering with this illness, have a focus on the weight, body shape and food resulting in act of a dangerous eating behavior. The negative result of this illness causes harm to the heart,
Eating disorders are serious conditions involving extremely unhealthy dietary habits. The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In the past few decades, eating disorders have become more and more prevalent in western countries. A lot of people suffered from the diseases, for example, famous Princess Diana has struggled with bulimia for many years. It should be kept in mind that eating disorders occur not only in adults, but also in young people. In fact, many eating disorders are first being diagnosed in adolescents. The adolescents with eating disorders often fight against body weight control by the means of starvation, binging or purging. However, the intense preoccupation with being thin and the lifestyle it entails can be life-threatening. Therefore, in order to reduce the rate of eating disorders in adolescents and help them recover, the media, families, and schools need to come together to offer support and create change.