Eating Disorders

A Review of Eating Disorders 1

Running head: A REVIEW OF EATING DISORDERS

A Review of Eating Disorders

Eulish S. Jones

South Georgia Technical College

Eating Disorders 2

Abstract

What are the reasons for eating disorders? Eating is vital to life. We must eat on a daily basis in order to keep our bodies functioning efficiently. But sometimes we find it difficult to eat in ways that we know are healthy. Emotions, stress and peer pressure can cause us to alter our eating habits in unhealthy ways. The result can be an eating disorder. There are three major types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia and obesity (binge-eating).

Eating disorders occur in virtually all “types” of people. They affect more females than males, but do occur in both sexes. They can happen at any age, but most frequently occur initially during adolescence and young adulthood. People of all races, religions, sexual orientations and economic backgrounds suffer from eating disorders.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, adolescent, and young women account for 90 percent of cases. But eating disorders aren’t just a problem for the teenage women it can happen in older women; men and boys can also develop this disorder. Certain psychological factors play a part in people developing eating disorders. Dysfunctional families or relationships are one factor. Personality traits may contribute to these disorders. Most people with eating disorders suffer form low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness and intense dissatisfaction with the way they look.

Eating Disorders 3

A Review of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are not severe diets; they are illnesses with severe health risks. The causes of eating disorder appear to be complex. It is suspected that some of it has to do with feeling abnormally pressured to be as thin as the “ideal” as portrayed in magazines, movies, and on television. Other factors, including...