Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are a growing problem in adolescents worldwide. While all people are at risk for developing eating disorders, such disorders are most prevalent in those under the age of twenty. Anorexia and bulimia are perhaps the most well known eating disorders, but there are many others, binge eating being the number one eating disorder in the United States. Many studies show that eating disorders are a huge problem in today's society and these disorders leave lasting effects on not only the person with the disorder, but the loved ones around them.

Anorexia nervosa is defined as a prolonged disorder of eating due to loss of appetite (Merriam-Webster). Most people with this disorder suffer from distorted body image, low self esteem, depression, mood swings, and an intense fear of becoming overweight (Wikipedia). There are many heath problems associated with this disease, including slow heart rate, low blood pressure, loss of bone mass, dehydration, and fainting. These short term health problems can also lead to long term; more severe health problems such as heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure, osteoporosis, and even death (NEDA).

Anorexia nervosa typically appears in early-to-mid adolescents, affecting approximately one percent of all teenage girls (Leutwyler). As with any eating disorder, anorexia is easier to manage the sooner treatment is received. Unfortunately, only one-quarter of sufferers make a full recovery and 30-50% require re-hospitalization within one year of discharge (Walsh BT, Kaplan AS, Attia E et al). Tragically, anorexia nervosa also has the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition and eating disorder, with 5-20% of suffers dying (NEDA).

Bulimia nervosa is defined as "a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression," (Merriam-Webster). Like anorexics, bulimics may also suffer from distorted body image, low self esteem, and depression. Health problems evolving from this disease include insomnia, extremely high or low blood pressure, teeth erosion, malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance, and damaging of the voice (Wikipedia). More severe health issues resulting from bulimia are heart failure, rupturing of the esophagus, and death (NEDA).

Bulimia nervosa also typically appears in early-to-mid adolescents, affecting two-to-three percent of teenage girls (Leutwyler). Shockingly, most people dealing with bulimia nervosa appear to be an average weight, and also seem to understand that their actions and behaviors are dangerous (NEDA). Unfortunately, since bulimia nervosa is so easy to hide, getting treatment as quickly as needed to cure this disease is rarely possible. Only half of the sufferers of this disease make a full recovery (Leutwyler). Sadly, the mortality rate for bulimia nervosa is higher than cancer (Wikipedia).

Binge eating is the most common eating disorder in the United States; more common than anorexia and bulimia combined (Springen). Binge eating is defined as excessive or compulsive consumption of food (Merriam-Webster). This disorder usually consists of bursts of uncontrolled eating lasting less than two hours, occurring at least twice a week (Springen). Binge eaters usually suffer from low self esteem, depression, and mood swings. Health problems associated with this disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, rupturing of the esophagus, and disease of the gallbladder (NEDA).

More than thirty percent of binge eaters are male, which an unusually high statistic for an eating disorder (Springen). While binge eating disorder significantly affects males (two percent), it also affects three and a half percent of females, and usually lasts approximately eight years (Hellmich). The most common and effective form of therapy for treating BED is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, which teaches people how to change their unhealthy eating habits. Most of the sufferers of binge eating disorder do not want help and are not interested in losing weight, however, it is important that all bingers receive at least some therapy (Wikipedia).

Although anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are the most commonly known eating disorders, there are other disorders that are just as dangerous and are affecting many people worldwide. These disorders include Bigorexia, Night Eating Syndrome, Sleep Eating Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Orthorexia Nervosa, and many less common and dangerous disorders as well. These disorders are clearly different, but are all dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible.

Bigorexia, also known as muscle dysmorphia, is commonly known as "reverse anorexia." Those who suffer from this disorder becomes obsessed with the idea that they are not muscular enough, inevitably resorting to constantly working out and using steroids (ABC). Bigorexia isn't as life-threatening as anorexia; it is actually the use of steroids on top of unhealthy eating habits that make this disorder so risky. Recovery from this disease is nevertheless very difficult because, like anorexics, these sufferers usually will not admit their problem. In the fortunate situations in which sufferers receive therapy, they will undergo behavioral changes, be given much social support, and most likely be put on medication (ANRED).

Night Eating Syndrome consists of morning anorexia, abnormally increased appetite in the evening, and insomnia. Night eaters prefer carbohydrates over healthy snacks, therefore creating a very unhealthy diet. This disorder is thought to be genetic in some cases and is treatable with the use of prescription medication. NES has not yet been officially declared an eating disorder, but as treatment techniques are being further developed, it shouldn't be much longer (ANRED).

Another sleep-eating problem is Sleep Eating Disorder, in which sufferers have reoccurring episodes of sleep walking, at which time they binge on high-fat and sugar foods. Sufferers from this disease often have a history of drug and alcohol abuse, and sleep disorders, and also often diet throughout the day. Like NES, SED is also thought to be genetic and treatment modalities are pending, however there are options such as stress management classes, and observations for people currently suffering from this disorder.

Body Dysmophic Disorder is an obsession with a defect in appearance, which may be real or imagined. BDD affects approximately two percent of people in the United States; seventy percent of these cases appear in those younger then age eighteen. Unlike other disorders, BDD affects both males and females equally, and is mainly based on social phobias. Sufferers are often found to be depressed and obsessive compulsive. Treatment for this disorder, including medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy, is available and proven to work effectively.

All of this disorders listed above are experienced by people throughout the world daily. Each of these eating disorders are very problematic and need to be addressed immediately. But how does one address such issues? Start with what triggered them.

Figuring out why youths feel the need to harm their bodies is not hard in today's world-just turn on the television or flip through a magazine. Eating disorders have become more prevalent in the last fifty years and much of that increase, if not all, is because of the media. Stick thin actresses on television and unhealthy-looking models in the most popular magazines are the imagines that young folks see today and it is because of this that they are starving themselves and developing poor eating habits.

Apparently we viewers are not the only ones being affected by the images the media is creating because a 1996 study found that even centerfold models feel the need to lie about not only their weight, but their height as well. In addition, 72% of all women featured in Playboy in 1994-1995 claimed to have a body mass index below the medical cutoff for malnourishment (Leutwyler).

While it is clear to see that the media is to blame for much of the increase in the prevalence of eating disorders, it is not the sole factor. Parents dream of their daughters being a prima ballerina, an Olympic gymnast, and/or a professional cheerleader, but most people do not realize what being involved in such activities can do a person, especially a young girl (Christian Science Monitor).

Many ballet schools have "fat lists", which listed all of the girls within the dance company that needs to lose weight and how much they should lose. For many dancers, just the sheer terror of ever being on that list keeps them from eating healthy, and usually leads to them starving themselves (Leutwyler). Many gymnastic companies have similar ways of keeping their clients the shape and size they want. When a gymnast reaches a weight that the coach declares obese and unworkable, the gymnast will then be "referred to another coach," which obviously will not accept them, therefore forcing the gymnast to leave the company. This method is a little different in cheerleading, however. Every girl wants to be a flyer, but you have to have a certain body type to do so. If you are too heavy to fly, you are tormented, and eventually most girls leave the squad willingly...although the tormenting usually does not stop.

Luckily, things are slowly but surely starting to change so that eating disorders can be less prevalent in youths. In a 2002 study, approximately half of college female athletes showed symptoms of eating disorders. Now, college coaches are changing their methods so that athletes will not feel the pressure to be unhealthy, such as not weighing female athletes (Christian Science Monitor).

Tyra Banks is also doing her part now in addressing eating disorders among adolescents and pre-adolescents. The Tyra Banks Show has now had three different episodes on eating disorders, one of which was devoted completely to adolescents, and they were also featured in the other episodes as well. On the one show, a nine-year-old girl from the audience explained how she is so terrified of getting fat that she will not eat every day. In the same episode, Tyra Banks also talked to girls as young as five that admitted to dieting so they can be "skinny."

Supermodels are now also being encouraged to become healthier. In 2006, models were turned away from Spain's top fashion show because they were too thin. Only models with a BMI of eighteen or over were allowed on the catwalks at Madrid's fashion week and to much disappointment, thirty percent of the women were not able to "strut their stuff" because of this (Leutwyler).

As described at the beginning of this paper, eating disorders are a growing problem worldwide, especially in adolescents. While anorexia and bulimia are the most well known eating disorders, there are many more, including binge eating disorder, which is the number one eating disorder in the United States. Eating disorders are a huge problem in today's society and leave lasting affects on not only the direct sufferer of the disorder, but also the loved ones around them.

Media is clearly to blame for much of the increase in the prevalence of eating disorders because of the images they put on television and in print on billboards and in magazines, but it is not the sole factor. Simple activities such as ballet, gymnastics, cheerleading, and other sports often urge participants to engage in unhealthy behavior, usually resulting in some sort of eating disorder.

Luckily, more people are urging youths to love their bodies instead of constantly wanting to change them. Even the media is helping out by not allowing models below the healthy BMI to hit the catwalks. It is important that we help adolescents understand that they are who they are, regardless of how they look or what people say about them because they are at risk now, and they are the future.

References

(2007). Taking A Bite Out of Eating Disorders. Christian Science Monitor, 99 (57), 8.

Banks, Tyra. (2006). Eating Disorders. On: The Tyra Banks Show. California: CBS.

Hellmich, Nanci (2007, February 1). Binge Eating is No. 1 Food Disorder in USA. USA Today, 6D.

Less Well Known Eating Disorders and Related Problems. (2006, January 16). ANARED: Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. Retrieved: February 28, 2007 from: http://www.anared.com

Leutwyler, Kristin. (2006). Dying to be Thin. Scientific American Special Edition, 16 (4), 84-88.

Merriam-Webster. Retrieved: March 1, 2007 from: http://www.m-w.com

NEDA: National Eating Disorders Association. Retrieved: February 25, 2007 from: http://www.neda.org

Obsessed With Building Muscles. ABC News. Retrieved: February 28, 2007 from: http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/print?id=126787

Ogden, Jane. (2003). The Psychology of Eating. MA: Blackwell Publishing.

Springen, Karen. (2007). Battle of the Binge. Newsweek, 149 (8), 76-77.

Walsh BT, Kaplan AS, Attia E et al. (2006). Eating Disorders. Current Medical Literature: Psychiatry, 17 (4), 111-113.

Wikipedia. Retrieved: February 26, 2007 from: http://www.wikipedia.org