Introduction
An eating disorder is a psychological problem that is reflected through an increased obsession to weight and food. The main categories of eating disorders are Bulimia nervosa, Anorexia nervosa, Binge eating and general eating disorders (these are generalised as that). These disorders have contributed to increased diseases and illness among populates the world over. As such, health ministries and also welfare organisations have come out to strongly condemn these behaviours while encouraging individuals to observe healthy living practices.
Body
One of the major eating disorders is referred to as Bulimia Nervosa. This has been shown to contribute negatively to the lives of those who suffer from it. It is especially very common among adolescents; mostly among women. This disorder is characterised by attempting restrictive diets. When such actions fail, they then resort to binge eating. This has been shown to be a result of the pressure of the surroundings. Most often than not, beautiful women have been described as very slim. As such, every other woman desires to be like “beautiful.” For some to achieve the said figure, they have to change their eating programs. Normally, this is followed by very unfortunate events such as illnesses.
For one to grow holistically, they have to take in a balanced diet. In the absence of such, some of their basic body functions are bound to fail. Once they begin binge eating, they have to contend with regular vomiting and purging which often necessitates the use of laxatives and diet pills as the body is not in a position to self-regulate. Binge eating, among such individuals, is often done after they have been seriously exercising or even fasting; non-purging bulimia. This then becomes a cycle where they “starve” themselves then take to binge eating. Naturally, this process will cause inconsistent weight.
Anorexia is also another eating disorder; this is usually an extension of the Bulimia Nervosa. This disorder is associated with medications or medical conditions that often cause reduced appetite on the victims. This is usually a psychological repugnance to food that lead to emaciation and starvation. In these cases, between 15% to as much as 60% of the entire weight can be lost. Amazingly, such patients will fear putting on weight regardless of how underweight they are. To them, the severe health consequences are just beside the point. Instead, they focus more on their body shape and weight.
Anorexia restrictors (one of the branches of anorexia) aim to reduce their weight by having to go through serious dieting. They completely ignore what such actions mean to their health and instead focus on some imagined form; one that might as well never appear. For anorexic bulimic patients, their targets are achieved through purging. The bulimic kind of anorexia has been shown to be more harmful as it combines undernourishment with stress; extremely damaging situation.
A binge eating disorder is characterised as compulsive binge eating (overeating). Nonetheless, this is usually in the absence of bulimic behaviour. Bulimic behaviour includes: laxative abuse that is essentially used to remove calories and vomiting. As such, this form of a disorder will usually lead to individuals being overweight. Patients who are diagnosed of binge eating usually continually overeat throughout the day have three meals per day with regular snack intake and consume between 5000 and 15000 calories in a single sitting. Binge eating is treated in almost an almost similar manner as bulimia.
The fourth, and final, category of eating disorders is known as Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). These disorders cannot be defined as either anorexic or bulimic. Such patients are shown to have recurrent binge-purge episodes. This cycle is usually irregular; hence begging the question on where the line is to be drawn. These episodes will usually occur for less than twice a week; this behaviour could also go on for just a few months. Additionally, these patients will repeatedly chew and spit without necessarily swallowing large amounts of food. Also, anorexic behaviour and healthy weight will always be revealed by these patients. With such habits, there is an elevated risk of fractures due to general body (bone) weakness. This is just but a fraction of the multiple health disorders that individuals have to contend.
There are a lot of possible causes of these disorders including: behavioural and psychological, social and cultural, and neurobiological and genetic factors. Additionally, most individuals suffering from this disorder have shown to have concerns about their body shape and weight; just like anorexic and bulimic patients. The causes of EDNOS are not static and it all varies between patients.Conclusion
There are many eating disorders that are existent in the current modern world. Most of these can be attributed to the pressure to fit; leading individuals to become extra conscious about their weight and body shape. In turn, they take to habits such as intake of laxatives, forceful fasting, and binge eating (often the result of reduced food intake). These slowly cause individuals to slowly deteriorate in health; the underlying effect of all eating disorders.
