Topic of The Month
Eating DisordersWhat is an eating disorder?They are characterized by disturbed eating behaviors and generally accompanied by a preoccupation with food and body image or shape. Some eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating or compulsive overeating.
Anorexia is self-starvation and extreme weight loss.
Symptoms include
- Weight 15% or more below healthy weight for age and height.
- Intense fear of gaining weight of becoming fat.
- Distorted body image.
- In females, loss of menstrual periods.
Bulimia: periods of binge eating followed by purging.
Symptoms include:
- Recurrent episodes of bingeing and purging.
- Purging by self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, enemas or other medications, fasting or excessive dieting.
- Sense of being out of control of eating during binge.
Binge Eating or Compulsive Overeating:periods of binge eating or continuous overeating often followed by periods of dieting or fasting.
Symptoms include:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating or excessive eating when not physiologically hungry.
- Sense of being unable to control eating.
- Periods of dieting or fasting.
What to do if someone you care about has an eating disorder? Find out more about eating disorders and ask yourself am I the person to approach her/him? And if you feel you are then approach your friend and ask them what%u2019s going on? Ask them to get help.
