Eating Disorder 101, Just The Basics

Consumers are spending over thirty billion dollars annually on weight loss products in America. This is all part of the weight loss concern and leading into the eating and weight disorders phenomenon that has been occurring in our nation. At one end of the continuum sets Anorexia Nervosa, at the other end lays Obesity. Both diseases have a very high death rate and are very dangerous for those who suffer from these illnesses. While research shows that life expectancy may be increasing on a wide scale due to medical advances and better understanding of nutrition, research is also showing that due to the previously mentioned continuum of weight disease, morbidity is increasing making up for a portion of the life expectancy increase.

Eating disorders can be vaguely defined as abnormal eating behaviors and beliefs about eating and body shape and obesity is related to a general physical or medical condition. While our diagnostic criteria conceptualizing eating problems are too general, research is showing that we have much more to learn to fully understand the complexity of these devastating conditions.

Classification of an eating disorder refers to “A clinically-meaningful behavioral or psychological pattern that is associated with distress or disability or with substantially increased risk of morbidity, disability or mortality”. Some eating disorders may occur in children including Pica, Rumination Disorder, and Feeding Disorder while others can occur in adolescence or young adulthood.

The most commonly discussed eating disorder is Anorexia nervosa. Anorexia consists of the refusal to maintain minimally normal weight which generally affects a female’s reproductive system and menstrual cycle. Low weight can be achieved by restricting ones food intake in fear of becoming “fat”.

Bulimia nervosa is the next commonly discussed eating disorder. Bulimia consists of reoccurring binge eating episodes followed by inappropriate weight compensation behaviors. Compensation behaviors can, but are not limited to, self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, diet pills, dieting, or exercise. While there are several differences in Anorexia and Bulimia, both meet the criteria of a disturbed perception of body image and take part in constant and unhealthy self-evaluation.

There are several other eating and weight related disorders including Binge Eating Disorder, Eating Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) and Obesity, which range and look very different on the carrier of this disease, but are each very dangerous and carry high risks including premature death.