Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are the negative side of dieting that has plagued the arena of weight loss for quite some time. More common in women than in men, eating disorders are characterized by the use of extreme tactics in order to achieve the ultimate goal of losing weight. The three most common forms of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating (or compulsive overeating).

Eating disorders have been around for many years, but were only first labeled as a medical condition within the last 30 years or so. In Western countries the occurrence of eating disorders is on the rise and more and more cases are being reported each and every year.

With the commonality of eating disorders rising, it is easy to gather statistical data linking the causative factors of the disorders to certain types and groups of people. But, the vast difference in backgrounds and diversity of people being diagnosed with eating disorders makes the conditions root cause of these conditions a bit harder to pin point.

Common Causative Factors Related to Eating Disorders

Without a doubt, physical image can be pegged as one of the major causes of eating disorders. In modern society, the needs to be physically perfect leads to an early inception of symptoms: most often around the age of puberty in young girls. The diagnosis of eating disorders is becoming more common in girls of younger ages, but there is also a marked age reduction in the inception of puberty. According to studies performed on eating disorders, more than 85% of all eating disorders are reported by the age of 20 years with nearly 45% of those cases occurring between 16 and 20 years of age and only 33% falling under the age of 16.

The peer pressure and societal pressure placed on young girls to meet certain guidelines for body perfection is evident in the media fed images of runway models and skinny girls wearing the latest styles of clothing. While these models are clearly not a correct representation of normal society size, the massive introduction of "skinny" is clear in all forms of media from television to movies.

At the fore front of the "skinny" movement are the modeling industry and the fashion genre of the world. The definition of "acceptable" weight is lowered on a consistent basis by these sectors of society. These "acceptable" weight ranges often fall under the general guidelines for "normal" weight. Other professions suffering from the effects of a lower than normal weight acceptance include dancers, athletes and celebrities. The huge pressure to maintain a "beautiful" weight is beginning to cross the boundaries of race, social demographics and backgrounds leading to an increased occurrence of eating disorders in all sectors of society.

Patterns Associated with Eating Disorders

The main purpose of food in the diet is for the sustaining properties food gives the body. When food becomes about more than just body sustenance, an eating disorder can develop. Most often associated with starvation diets, starvation will cause the metabolism to slow dramatically and thus when the suffering person eats again, the food stores and causes weight gain. An eating disorder commonly follows due to the immense need to control the food that seems to be controlling them.

Obsessive Dieting and Eating Disorders

Obsessive dieting is another form of eating disorder that needs to be watched closely. When dieting moves from a practice to lose excess weight into a control issue, the dieter will be more likely to practice obsessive dieting. Whenever a dieter plan on starting a new diet, it is advisable that a doctor be consulted to help watch the method and the flow of the diet to prevent the occurrence of an eating disorder.

Parents can help to head off the inception of an eating disorder through watching and careful observation of their child’s eating patterns. Encouraging your child to eat healthy meals and include daily exercise in their lives can help to provide a healthy alternative to eating disorders.

For More Information

Something Fishy website about EDs – An informative site offering tips and information on eating disorders.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders – ANAD is a non-profit organization aimed at offering the best information and resources about eating disorders.

Bulimia Help – A personal site offering first hand information about bulimia nervosa.