Eating disorders

Eating disorders are severe alterations in eating patterns linked to physiological changes. The alterations are associated with food restriction, binge eating, purging, and fluctuations in weight. They also involve a number
of emotional and cognitive changes that affect the way a person perceives and experiences his or her body. All eating disorders require professional help. 

Psychological factors that can contribute to eating disorders:  low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy or lack of control in life, depression, anxiety, anger, or loneliness.
Social factors that can contribute to eating disorders: cultural pressures that glorify "thinness" and place value on obtaining the "perfect body", cultural norms that value people on the basis of physical appearance and not inner qualities and strengths.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder involving a psychological loss or denial of appetite, followed by self-imposed starvation. Anorexia is characterized by extreme weight loss, a distorted body image, and an irrational, almost morbid, fear of obesity and weight gain. Anorexics irrationally believe they are fat, even though others constantly comment on their thin physique.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by large quantities of food eaten at one time (binge eating) and then purged from the body by vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. Alternate means to counteract the binge behavior are fasting and excessive exercise. If left untreated, bulimia nervosa can lead depression, anxiety disorders, heart damage, kidney damage, injury to all parts of the digestive system, and severe dental damage. Those with bulimia nervosa are at risk for dangerous impulsive, self-destructive behaviors, such as kleptomania, self-mutilation, alcohol and/or drug abuse, and sexual promiscuity.

Binge-eating disorder is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating and feelings of loss of control over eating that have lasted at least 6 months. Binge episodes can be triggered by frustration, anger, depression, anxiety, permission to eat forbidden foods, and excessive hunger.

Night eating syndrome is characterized by evening hyperphagia (eating more than one-third of total daily calories after the evening meal) and nighttime awakening accompanied by the ingestion of food.

Eating disorders frequently develop during adolescence or early adulthood. Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychological disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. People who suffer from eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, can experience serious heart conditions and kidney failure, which may even lead to death.

Advices for preventing eating disorders:
• discourage restrictive dieting and meal skipping. Fasting is also discouraged (except for religious occasions)
• provide information about normal changes that occur during puberty
• correct misconceptions about nutrition, healthy body weight, and approaches to weight loss
• carefully phrase any weight-related recommendations and comments
• don’t overemphasize numbers on a scale. Instead, primarily promote healthful eating
• encourage normal expression of disruptive emotions
• encourage children to eat only when they’re hungry
• teach the basics of proper nutrition and regular physical activity in school and at home
• provide adolescents with an appropriate, but not unlimited, degree of independence, choice, responsibility, and self-accountability for their actions
• increase self-acceptance and appreciation of the power and pleasure emerging from one’s body
• enhance tolerance for diversity in body weight and shape
• build respectful environments and supportive relationships
• encourage coaches to be sensitive to weight and body-image issues among athletes
• emphasize that thinness is not necessarily associated with better athletic performance