What Is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is a complex, chronic illness that is largely misunderstood and misdiagnosed. The most common eating disorders --
anorexia nervosa,
bulimia nervosa, and
binge-eating disorder -- are on the rise in the United States and worldwide.
No one knows exactly what causes an eating disorder. However, all socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural groups are at risk.
Eating disorders are one of the key health issues facing young women. Studies in the last decade show that eating disorders are often related to other health risks, including tobacco use, alcohol use, marijuana use, delinquency, unprotected sexual activity, and suicide attempts.
An eating disorder has numerous physical, psychological, and social ramifications -- these stem from significant preoccupation with weight, inappropriate eating behavior, and a distorted view of one's body image.
Currently, 1 percent to 4 percent of all young women in the United States are affected by eating disorders.
Anorexia nervosa, for example, ranks as the third most common chronic illness among adolescent females in the United States.
More than 90 percent of those with eating disorders are women. Furthermore, the number of American women affected by eating disorders has doubled to at least three million in the past three decades.
Females are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. Only an estimated 5 percent to 15 percent of people with anorexia or bulimia, and an estimated 35 percent of those with
binge-eating disorder, are male.
Eating is controlled by many factors, including appetite; food availability; family, peer, and cultural practices; and attempts at voluntary control. Dieting to a body weight leaner than needed for health is highly promoted by current fashion trends, sales campaigns for special foods, and in some activities and professions.
An eating disorder involves serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as an extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight.
Causes of an Eating Disorder
- Culture. The United States has a social and cultural ideal of extreme thinness. Women partially define themselves by how physically attractive they are.
- Personal characteristics. Feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and poor self-image often accompany eating disorders.
- Other emotional disorders. Other mental health problems, like depression or anxiety, often occur along with eating disorders.
- Stressful events or life changes. Things like starting a new school or job, being teased, or experiencing traumatic events like rape can lead to the onset of eating disorders.
- Biology. Studies are being done to look at genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain that may have an effect on the development of, and recovery from, eating disorders.
- Families. Parental attitudes about appearance and diet affect children's attitudes. Also, if your mother or sister has bulimia, you are more likely to have it, too.
Other Medical Conditions That Can Occur With an Eating Disorder
Eating disorders frequently occur along with other psychiatric disorders, such as
depression, substance abuse, and
anxiety disorders. In addition, people who suffer from eating disorders can experience a wide range of physical health complications, including serious heart conditions and kidney failure, which may lead to death. Therefore, it is critically important to recognize eating disorders as real and treatable diseases.
Eating disorders are not due to a failure of will or behavior; rather, they are real, treatable medical illnesses in which certain maladaptive patterns of eating take on a life of their own.
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