Eating disorder

It is so disturbing to see many young ladies on television that are super thin. Showbiz do have a lot of impact especially on teens. Many women want to imitate them even if it would mean disrupting their eating habits.

There are two major eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by self-inducing weight loss greater than 15% of minimal normal weight for age and height. Periods of starvation maybe mixed with binging and purging. This leads to semistarvation state with glucose and protein sparing, fat utilization, endocrine changes, and fluid and electrolytes disturbances. Psychological components include a distorted body image, fear of gaining weight, and loss of self esteem.

In contrast to anorexia, bulimia is marked by recurrent episodes of binge eating at least twice per week for 3 months. The patient feels a lack of control over eating behavior during these episodes, and later tries to prevent weight gain by self-induced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives, diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise. Self-induced vomiting may result in electrolyte imbalance or esophageal tears or gastric rapture. Starvation and its physiologic effects may not be evident as they are in anorexia nervosa. Bulimia is linked to a personal or family history of obesity, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, or mood disorders.

Many patients with an eating disorders are between ages 14 and 24, in the middle and upper socioeconomic levels, and 90% are women. Anorexia and bulimia may occur simultaneously or alternately.

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