Obesity and its Relationship to Anorexia, Bulimia, and Anorexia Nervosa

Obesity in and of itself is not an eating disorder(according to doctors but I disagree), but people who are obese or who fear becoming obese may develop one. These are the common eating disorders related to obesity.

Binge Eating Disorder -  The most common eating disorder is binge eating.

Approximately 4 million Americans fall in this classification. Binge eating is more than just occasionally overeating. It is characterized by eating uncontrollably, quickly eating an unusually large amount of food at one sitting (a whole cake or the entire box of cookies), even when the person is not hungry. Binge Eating is usually done in secret because the person is embarrassed about the amount of food he/she eats.

More women than men have binge eating disorder, and most of the people who have it are overweight or obese. Binge eaters eat mostly sugar and fat, and as a result, they may be lacking certain vitamins and nutrients. They are robbing their bones and brains of essential support.

Many of them are also depressed. There is a great deal of guilt associated with binge eating because the person is aware of how inappropriate this type of eating is. 

Treatments for this disorder include therapy and medications such as antidepressants. If you are attempting to correct this situation on your own please reconsider seeing your physician.  One of the best support systems available is EFT to resolve the guilt issues. This is a simple tapping exercise and well worth checking out.

Bulimia Nervosa - Binge eating is also present in another eating disorder, bulimia nervosa.

 It is estimated that 1.1 to 4.2 percent of females will have bulimia nervosa in their lifetime.

Bulimics are caught in a binge/purge cycle. They binge eat, usually in secret, then purge to get rid of the calories just eaten. Purging may involve either self-induced vomiting after eating or using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.

Bulimics may eat rather normal portions of food when they are around other people, but will make excuses to quickly go to the bathroom and purge.

People with bulimia may also exercise intensely for long periods of time in attempt to burn off the extra calories taken in during binge eating, or they may go for long periods of time without eating. Many bulimics do a combination or all of these things.

Bulimia affects more women than men and more young women in their teens and twenties than older women.

These women are usually obsessed with their weight and truly believe that they are overweight even though most have a less than normal body weight. It can cause a number of serious health effects, including anemia, dehydration, heart problems, ruptured esophagus, stomach ulcers, and even death. The effects of daily vomiting and or laxitives can cause damages that cannot be reversed.

Like binge eating disorder, bulimia is treated with therapy and medications.

Anorexia Nervosa - On the opposite side of binge eating is anorexia nervosa. It affects around 1 to 2 percent of the female population.

Anorexia is characterized by self-starvation and obsession with food, weight, and appearance.  Weight is usually 15% or more below the normal body weight. These unfortunate people have an intense fear of being fat. Many of them look emaciated, but they’re convinced they are fat.

We live in an age where thin is considered beautiful and our teenagers are caught in the peer pressure that dictates beauty and popularity.  Those teenagers that survive become young women fighting for a position in the business world and being judged by their appearance rather than their brains. 

Because anorexics literally starve themselves, their bodies are severely depleted of nutrients.

As a result, they develop muscular atrophy, dehydration, low blood pressure, and brain and organ damage.

 As many as 10 percent of anorexics die. 

Anorexics will deny they have a problem. Most of them will be committed to a hospital by their family. Because anorexia is so life-threatening, the first stage of treatment is getting body weight back to normal. Once this is on track, therapy and medications are used.

Therapy is primary to stop the patient from continuing to try to starve and to recreate a positive self image.

Eating disorders are serious  and should not be taken lightly. If you suspect you have one or think someone you love does, please seek help. It could be a matter of life and death.

© Answers For Your Health/Diet and Supplements