| This article is freely available for reprint provided | | | | Thyroid hormones will become abnormal. Adrenal, |
| that theresource box at the end of the article is | | | | growth hormones and blood-pressure hormones |
| left intact and thearticle is published complete. | | | | also become abnormal. |
| Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia | | | | Heart functions change. The heart pumps less |
| The incidences of eating disorders in our society | | | | efficiently, muscles become weak and thin. Heart |
| have been steadily increasing over the last few | | | | rhythms many change. Blood pressure levels fall. |
| years. It now occurs in 1 out of every 100 | | | | GI function can become abnormal. Diarrhea occurs |
| women. Nineteen out of 20 people who suffer | | | | as the lining of the digestive tract slow. |
| from eating disorders are young women between | | | | High levels of Vitamin A and Carotene in the |
| 18 and 25. | | | | blood. |
| Studies have found that our social habits and | | | | Reduced levels of Protein. |
| expectations increase the likelihood of the disorder | | | | An increase in fine body hair, skin dryness and |
| in our young women. The emphasis on outward | | | | deceased skin temperatures. |
| appearances and thinness are targeted daily | | | | Brain activity becomes abnormal. Loss of sleep |
| through peer pressure and how our society | | | | and feeling of never having enough rest. |
| markets its Health and Fitness Products and | | | | Anorexia Nervosa is hard to diagnose, because |
| Services. | | | | almost everyone in our society is in pursuing |
| Yes obesity is definitely a problem in our society, | | | | thinness. Denial and deception are common place |
| and we have guidelines for Health and Nutrition, | | | | for young women with Anorexia, therefore it |
| but the majority of young women fail to follow | | | | takes a skilled professional to diagnose Anorexia. |
| the guidelines in an effort to gain immediate | | | | Bulimia |
| gratification or have had abnormal eating habits | | | | Bulimia occurs in women of all ages, but is more |
| throughout their lifetime. | | | | common among those under 30. Bulimia is more |
| Anorexia Nervosa: | | | | common than Anorexia and in males. Only a small |
| Case Study: | | | | percentage of people who are Bulimic show signs |
| Jennifer is 20 years old. She is very attractive and | | | | of Anorexia. |
| has always been an over achiever. From an early | | | | Case Study: |
| age she prided herself on her figure. She watched | | | | Carry is a women in her late twenties, she |
| her diet, exercised daily and maintained a regiment | | | | maintain a normal weight range and obsesses |
| of self-discipline. She has always been thin, but has | | | | about food. She starves herself then binges, when |
| never been satisfied with her weight or | | | | she has eaten too much she vomits. |
| appearance. She continually strives to lose more | | | | Carry, like 60% of people with Bulimia, starts to |
| weight. She is 5' 6" and weighs 85 lbs. | | | | binge after a period of extreme dieting. The most |
| Jennifer is unaware of the fact that she is | | | | popular binge foods are food that are high in |
| undernourished, therefore she sees no problem | | | | sugar and fat, and are easy to eat in large |
| with her appearance or weight. | | | | amounts. (cookies, cakes, ice cream, and bread |
| How does this happen?? | | | | products) |
| Learned behavior has a great deal to do with why | | | | The side effects of the binge eating are swollen |
| this happens. Many young women develop | | | | hands and feet, bloating, fatigue, headaches, |
| anorexia-like patterns as our society is pressured | | | | nausea and pain. |
| with the pursuit of thinness. Many women are | | | | Physical Dangers: |
| anorexic based on the eating patterns they have | | | | Fluid and Electrolyte imbalances. |
| developed by trying to accomplish unrealistic | | | | Abnormal Heart rhythms |
| weight goals. | | | | Kidney dysfunction which can cause bladder |
| Fashion models, long distance runners, women | | | | infections and kidney failure. |
| athletes and dancers commonly have anorexia-like | | | | Irritation to the pharynx, esophagus, and salivary |
| traits. | | | | glands. |
| 1. An intense fear of becoming obese. Even as | | | | Erosion of teeth and dental caries. |
| they lose more weight. | | | | Use of laxatives can cause injury to the intestinal |
| 2. Inaccurate vision of how their bodies appear. | | | | tract. |
| Feeling fat when in actuality they are very thin | | | | Bulimia has been described as a socially approved |
| and emaciated. | | | | method of weight control. Practiced among |
| 3. Continual weight loss. 25% or more of their | | | | women in the upper-classes because of social |
| original body weight. | | | | obligations which include many dinners and parties. |
| 4. Refusal to gain weight, which would place them | | | | Both Anorexia and Bulimia are socially generated |
| in a normal body weight range. | | | | eating disorders generated by our need for the |
| Physical Dangers: | | | | "perfect image", resulting in self-destructive eating |
| A rigorous dieting regime will send the body into | | | | patterns. |
| starvation mode. Then the physical effects will | | | | Listen to your Body, it is Wiser than you Think. |
| start to manifest themselves: | | | | Respect your own unique traits and Diet sensibly. |