Eating Disorders:
It's not really about the weight
PREVALENCE
Paula Abdul Justine Batemen Alexandra Paul
Karen Carpenter Nadia Comaneci Princess Di
Susan Dey Jane Fonda Lynn Redgrave
Tracey Gold Elton John Kathy Rigby
Jamie Lynn-Sigler Cherry Boone O’Neill Joan Rivers
Barbara Niven Jeannine Turner
- It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder – seven million women and one million men
- One in 200 American women suffers from anorexia
- Two to three in 100 American women suffers from bulimia
- Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder (Note: One in five Americans suffers from mental illnesses.)
- An estimated 10 – 15% of people with anorexia or bulimia are males
- Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness
- A study by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reported that 5 – 10% of anorexic sufferers die within 10 years after contracting the illness; 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years and only 30 – 40% ever fully recover
- The mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of ALL causes of death for females 15 – 24 years old.
- 20% of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems
- Only 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment
- About 80% of the girls/women who have accessed care for their eating disorders do not get the intensity of treatment they need to stay in recovery – they are often sent home weeks earlier than the recommended stay
- Treatment of an eating disorder in the US ranges from $500 per day to $2,000 per day. The average cost for a month of inpatient treatment is $30,000. It is estimated that individuals with eating disorders need anywhere from 3 – 6 months of inpatient care. Health insurance companies for several reasons do not typically cover the cost of treating eating disorders
- The cost of outpatient treatment, including therapy and medical monitoring, can extend to $100,000 or more
- Anorexia is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents
- 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25
- 50% of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight
- 80% of 13-year-olds have attempted to lose weight
- Rates of minorities with eating disorders are similar to those of white women
- 74% of American Indian girls reported dieting and purging with diet pills
- Essence magazine, in 1994, reported that 53.5% of their respondents, African-American females were at risk of an eating disorder
- Eating disorders are one of the most common psychological problems facing young women in Japan.
Paula Abdul Justine Batemen Alexandra Paul
Karen Carpenter Nadia Comaneci Princess Di
Susan Dey Jane Fonda Lynn Redgrave
Tracey Gold Elton John Kathy Rigby
Jamie Lynn-Sigler Cherry Boone O’Neill Joan Rivers
Barbara Niven Jeannine Turner
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is defined as the refusal to maintain a minimally accepted body weight often accompanied by a dysfunctional perception of a person’s body image. These individuals self-worth is usually measured by a scale or mirror because they have an intense fear becoming overweight. Pre-occupation or obsessive thoughts about food and weight often take over their mindset. There are 2 types; Restricting Type and Binge-Eating or Purging
TypesRestricting TypeRestricting Type is the most common and is when a person severely restricts their food intake. Foods may be completely eliminated or may have to be a certain color, fit in a bowl, be fat free, etc.
Binge Eating or Purging TypeBinge Eating or Purging Type is when a person restricts their intake, but also regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior.
Signs and Symptoms: Excessive exercise and weight loss, guilt or shame, laxatives, always cold and weak, low blood pressure and heart rate, bizarre food habits and won’t eat with others, headaches and dizziness. |
People who suffer from Anorexia suffer because they lack control and identity. They often suffer with anxiety and they idolize beauty the way society does.. These people are usually over achievers, perfectionists, highly sensitive, afraid of failure and may suffer from emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
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Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is an endless cycle of binge eating and purging. It usually starts out as a diet then the person loses control with a binge. People who suffer with this disorder usually recognize they have a problem and may do their best to hide their disorder. Storing vomit is one of those ways.
Signs and Symptoms: Weight gain, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, many diets, secretive eating patterns and hides food, avoids social eating, suicidal thoughts, makes no effort to compensate for calorie intake.
Signs and Symptoms: Weight gain, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, many diets, secretive eating patterns and hides food, avoids social eating, suicidal thoughts, makes no effort to compensate for calorie intake.
Compulsive Overeating DisorderCompulsive Overeating Disorder is defined as uncontrollable overeating. It is a method that usually exists to block feelings and emotions and starts as early as childhood. It is the only eating disorder that is more common in men. The medical world says it is not looked at seriously enough.
Symptoms: Binge eating, fear of not stopping, obesity, focused on size, professional and social failures, revolving diets, depression and isolation. |
Binge Eating DisorderBinge Eating Disorder is defined as binge eating without purging over a period of 2 hours. Binges must occur 1-2 or more times per week for at least 3-6 months. Sufferers average age is around 25 and they use food to cope with emotions. |
Medical Complications for Eating Disorders:
Kidney and liver disease, skin problems, shortness of breath, headaches, electrolyte imbalance, heart problems, hair loss and gain, dehydration, arthritis, embolism, death, ulcers, fatigue, decreased energy, anxiety, depression, infertility, decreased sexual drive, osteoporosis and more.
Treatments: hospitalization, behavior and cognitive therapy and nutritional counseling