Eating Disorders include a range of conditions that involve an obsession with food, weight and appearance to the degree that a person's heath, relationships and daily activities are adversely affected. Although eating disorders most commonly affect young women, eating disorders can impact people of all ages and sexes.
Two serious eating disorders that occur most frequently are anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Anorexia nervosa is the relentless pursuit of thinness by a person. A person suffering from anorexia nervosa refuses to maintain normal body weight for age and height. One medical symptom of anorexia nervosa is that the person weighs 85% or less than what is expected for age and height.
A second medical symptom is that in women, menstrual periods stop. When a young girl is suffering from anorexia nervosa they do not begin to menstruate at the appropriate age. When a man suffers from anorexia nervosa, his levels of sex h
Most people with bulimia can be treated through individual outpatient therapy because they aren't in danger of starving themselves as are persons with anorexia. However, if the bulimia is out of control, admission to an eating disorders treatment program may help the individual let go of their behaviors so they can concentrate on treatment. In younger children, low self esteem, body dissatisfaction, and dieting may be identified and interventions instituted before an eating disorder develops.
Example Essays Home
