What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are complex, long-term illnesses largely misunderstood and misdiagnosed. The most common ones -- anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder -- are on the rise, both in the United States and worldwide.
No one knows exactly what causes eating disorders. However, all socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural groups are at risk.
Research shows that more than 90 percent of those who have eating disorders are women between the ages of 12 and 25. However, increasing numbers of older women and men are also dealing with these illnesses. In addition, hundreds of thousands of boys are affected by these conditions.
Since eating disorders are long-term illnesses, overcoming them may require long-term treatment. They frequently occur with other mental disorders, such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. The earlier an eating disorder is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of a full recovery.
For more information on specific eating disorders, click the following links:
Types of Eating Disorders
Another type is called eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). While not a formal type of eating disorder, disordered eating is far more common and widespread than most defined eating disorders, and it can possibly lead to the development of a more serious condition.
Causes of Eating Disorders
There is no known cause of eating disorders. However, there are several things that may increase a person's risk. These factors are known as eating disorder risk factors. They include:
- Personality factors
- Body image
- Genetic and environmental factors
- Biochemistry.
Symptoms of Eating Disorders
- Anorexia nervosa: People who have anorexia tend to develop unusual eating habits, such as avoiding food and meals, picking out a few foods and eating them in small amounts, weighing their food, and counting the calories of everything they eat. They also may exercise excessively.
- Bulimia nervosa: People who have bulimia eat an excessive amount of food in a single episode and almost immediately make themselves vomit, or use laxatives or diuretics (water pills) to get rid of the food in their bodies. This behavior often is referred to as the "binge/purge" cycle. Like people with anorexia, people with bulimia tend to have an intense fear of gaining weight.
- Binge-eating disorder: People with this recently recognized disorder have frequent episodes of compulsive overeating, but unlike those with bulimia, they do not purge their bodies of food. During these food binges, they often eat alone and very quickly, regardless of whether they feel hungry or full. They often feel shame or guilt over their actions. Unlike anorexia and bulimia, binge-eating disorder occurs almost as often in men as in women.
Diagnosing Eating Disorders
In order to diagnose an eating disorder, the healthcare provider will ask a number of questions and perform a physical exam to look for signs or symptoms of eating disorders. He or she may also recommend certain tests. Eating disorders are diagnosed when specific criteria are met. Each disorder has different criteria.
Treating Eating Disorders
There is no single treatment that works in all cases. For most people, treatment for eating disorders may include therapy, nutritional counseling, and medications. In extreme cases, hospitalization may be required. The earlier an eating disorder is diagnosed, the more successful the treatment is likely to be.
Complications Associated With Eating Disorders
When a person has an eating disorder, he or she is no longer receiving proper nutrition. Because of this, eating disorders can lead to a variety of complications.
Anorexia Nervosa
This type of eating disorder can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure, increasing the chance of heart failure. Those who use drugs to stimulate vomiting, bowel movements, or urination are also at high risk for heart failure. Starvation can also lead to heart failure, as well as damage to the brain. Anorexia may also cause hair and nails to grow brittle. Skin may dry out, become yellow, and develop a covering of soft hair called lanugo. Mild anemia, swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, and light-headedness also commonly occur as a consequence of this eating disorder. Severe cases of anorexia can lead to brittle bones that break easily due to calcium loss.
Bulimia Nervosa
The acid in vomit can wear down the outer layer of the teeth, inflame and damage the esophagus (a tube in the throat through which food passes to the stomach), and enlarge the glands near the cheeks (giving the appearance of swollen cheeks). Damage to the stomach can also occur from frequent vomiting. Irregular heartbeats, congestive heart failure, and death can be caused by chemical imbalances and the loss of important minerals such as potassium. Peptic ulcers, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, which is a large gland that aids digestion), and long-term constipation are also consequences of bulimia.
Binge-Eating Disorder
Preventing Eating Disorders
Statistics on Eating Disorders
Statistics for the various eating disorders are alarming and demonstrate that no gender, social class, race, or culture is immune. Furthermore, a look at eating disorder statistics shows that people are starting to develop these conditions -- or are at least becoming more body- and weight-conscious -- at earlier ages than before. Some statistics on eating disorders include:
- During their lifetime, an estimated 0.5 percent to 3.7 percent of females will develop anorexia.
- The mortality rate among people with anorexia has been estimated at 0.56 percent per year, or approximately 5.6 percent per decade. This is about 12 times higher than the annual death rate due to all causes of death among females ages 15 to 24 in the general population.
- Bulimia affects approximately 1 percent to 3 percent of adolescents in the United States, with the illness usually beginning in late adolescence or early adult life.
- Community surveys have estimated that between 2 percent and 5 percent of Americans experience binge-eating disorder.
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