The most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. Approximately 90% of those with these conditions are women. Another eating disorder, binge eating disorder, has been more recently discovered. Eating disorders are not small or limited problems. They have a profound effect on all aspects of sufferers' lives - and on the lives of their friends and family. They are extremely complex - they do not have one single cause. Rather, there are a number of identified factors that may contribute to a person developing an eating disorder. These include:
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cultural factors (thin represented as the ideal body shape)
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family factors (attitudes and communication)
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biological factors (genetic predisposition)
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individual factors (personality type)
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precipitating factors (life events)
It is thought that a combination of these factors may cause eating disorders in some people.
Having an eating disorder is much more than being on a diet. It is important to understand that eating disorders are serious medical and psychological problems.
What is anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa is identified by a drastic weight loss from dieting. People suffering from anorexia have a greatly disturbed body image and an intense fear of becoming overweight. Even when they are dangerously underweight, they feel that they are overweight. For most people with anorexia, eating and unusual eating habits become an obsession. Most will avoid certain foods and meals and they may carefully weigh and control the portions of their food.
What is bulimia?
People with bulimia have secretive episodes of binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting. They may also use laxatives or diuretics and/or excessive exercise and fasting to lose weight. They will often binge several times a week, where they may consume literally hundreds to thousands of calories in a manner of minutes or hours.
What is binge eating disorder?
Like people with bulimia, those with binge eating disorder have episodes of binge eating (where they eat as much as they can). However, they do not purge. Almost half of people with binge eating disorder are men. The condition is more common in people who are overweight, and becomes more common as body weight increases. People who have the condition are also more likely to be depressed.
It is important to understand that eating disorders can be managed with appropriate medical and psychological treatment.