An Eating Disorder, as defined by Oxford dictionaries, is any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits. A simple definition would be an unhealthy relationship and obsession with food. Eating disorders affect over ten million females and one million males in the United States. The most well-known and common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is an emotional disorder that includes an obsessive desire to not eat or eat very little to lose weight. It is estimated that about 1-4% of women will suffer from anorexia at some point during their life. Anorexia has the highest death rate out of all mental illnesses. https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/statistics-studies Bulimia nervosa is an emotional disorder that causes one to distort his or her body image and obsess over one’s weight. Bulimia is characterized by binging, extreme overeating, and purging, self-induced vomiting. 3.9% of all bulimics will die. Both disorders cause the person to never view their body as “thin enough.” These disorders may not be visible in many people, due to the fact that you do not have to be underweight to have either of these. Some people lose weight and it is viewed by many as a healthy change, when in reality the person is struggling with a monster.
Eating disorders can be caused by a wide range of factors. Some factors include genetics, personality, as well as culture. Studies show that if one twin develops an eating disorder, the second twin is fifty percent likely to develop one as well. Media in western civilizations is also a key factor in eating disorders in the United States. Western ideals of thinness and perfection overwhelm many, especially young girls, and play a main role in the development of eating disorders. It has been reported that 50% of teenage girls participate in skipping meals, fasting, vomiting, and other weight controlling behaviors. There are many treatments of eating disorders, however many who suffer never console treatment.
Treatments include psychotherapy, medication, as well as rehabilitation centers. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/in-depth/eating-disorder-treatment/art-20046234 All of these treatments include the monitoring of weight, as well as learning coping methods when one feels an urge to indulge in one of the harmful weight-controlling activities. Lady Gaga, famous singer revealed to her fans that she has struggled with anorexia and bulimia since the age of 15. She launched a foundation, Born This Way Foundation, that helps young people that struggle with eating disorders, substance abuse, and bullying connect to resources. https://bornthisway.foundation/
