EATING DISORDERS

Bulimia, anorexia nervosa, binge eating, yo yo dieting and compulsive eating are common eating disorders that can affect women, men and children across all cultural backgrounds.  However, it is women who dominate in this area focusing on body shape, fat and food, often resulting from low self-esteem.

The 1999 Burden of Disease and Injury Survey found that eating disorders were the fourth leading cause of burden in females aged 15 - 24. Approximately 3% of women will be affected by an eating disorder during their lifetime - these figures are rising.  It is difficult to know accurate figures, as data is reported from hospital admission records, and not all cases are reported. 

Binge eating disorders (both men and women) are the most common type of eating disorder in the United States and are more common than other eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, according to national surveys.

Unfortunately serious complications can arise from eating disorders such as hormonal changes, heart disease, long term effects on bones and gastro-intestinal problems.  Most people with eating disorders will need to find help from counseling and support from their family and friends. 

	ANOREXIA NERVOSA Anorexia nervosa is the medical term for self induced starvation.  Anorexia means loss of appetite and the word nervosa indicates its relationship to an imbalance in the nervous system.
	BULIMIA When diagnosing bulimia, doctors and psychologists have a technical definition which includes; a sense of lack of control, making yourself vomit, using laxatives or fluid tablets and strict dieting or exercising in order to prevent weight gain.
	CRAVINGS High insulin levels make you crave carbohydrates such as bread, cakes, biscuits, etc.  This increases body fat storage.
	EMOTIONAL EATING Food becomes closely tied to a person’s ability to cope with emotional situations. There becomes a tendency to eat for these reasons rather than actually feeling hungry.
	COMPULSIVE EATING Do you eat when you are not hungry? Do you have feelings of guilt after overeating? Are you constantly thinking of food, eating and weight?