Eating disorders are conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual’s physical and mental health, according to Wikipedia. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat. People with anorexia nervosa attempt to maintain a weight that is far below normal for their age and height.
On the other hand, bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. It means disease of hunger affecting the nervous system, which was named and first described by the British psychiatrist, Gerald Russell, in 1979. People with bulimia may secretly binge – eat large amounts of food – and then purge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way.
Binge eating disorder is characterised by compulsive over-eating in which people consume huge amounts of food while feeling out of control and powerless to stop. The symptoms of binge eating disorder usually begin in late adolescence or early adulthood, often after a major diet.
Those who suffer from the restricting type of anorexia nervosa go to extreme lengths, such as over-exercise and starvation, to keep from gaining weight, whereas those suffering from the binge/purge type tend to overeat and then compensate through some method of purging.
The distinction between the binge/purge type and bulimia nervosa is that those diagnosed with the former are below a healthy bodyweight, while those with the later are at least normal weight.
Eating disorders affect both sexes.
The skill to comprehend the central processes of appetite has increased extremely since leptin was discovered, and the skill to observe the functions of the brain as well. Interactions between motivational, homeostatic and self-regulatory control processes are involved in eating behaviour, which is a key component in eating disorders.
The precise cause of eating disorders is not totally unstated, but there is evidence that it may be linked to other medical conditions and situations.
Cultural idealisation of thinness and youthfulness have contributed to eating disorders affecting diverse populations.
Some think that peer pressure and idealised body types seen in the media are also a significant factor. Some researches show that there are genetic reasons certain people may be prone to developing an eating disorder. In addition, anxiety disorders and personality disorders are common occurrences with clients of eating disorders. People with eating disorders may have a dysfunctional hunger cognitive module which causes various feelings of distress to make them feel hungry.
While proper treatment can be highly effective for many suffering from specific types of eating disorders, the consequences of eating disorders can be severe and may lead to death.
In preventing eating disorder, it is important to learn about all the types of eating disorders, as genuine awareness will help you avoid judgemental or mistaken attitudes about food, weight, body shape and eating disorders.
It is important to discourage the idea that a particular diet, weight, or body size will automatically lead to happiness and fulfillment, considering that we all need to eat a balanced variety of foods.
If you think someone has an eating disorder, express your concerns in a blunt, caring manner. Gently but firmly encourage the person to seek trained professional help.