EATING DISORDERS

The number of people affected by eating disorders has increased in our cities a lot of
over the last years. Anorexia and bulimia are getting worse every day, and teenagers are
the main victims. As such, it is worth asking if parents are able to prevent this behaviour
from turning into a serious problem. Obviously I believe they are the first line of
defence.

Eating disorders can come about when there is a serious disturbance in eating
behaviour, like an unhealthy reduction in the amount you eat, or an extreme concern
about your weight or body shape.

Eating disorders occur in both men and women, young and old, rich and poor, and from
all cultural backgrounds.

Types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating
disorder and compulsive overeating. They frequently exist alongside depression an
anxiety disorders, and can be complicit in a wide range of physical health complications
that include serious heart conditions and kidney failure.

People with mental health problems say that the stigma and discrimination surrounding
their mental health problem can be one of the hardest parts of their day to day
experience. As a result of the stigma, we might shy away from supporting a friend,
family member or colleague. And the consequences can be large. People with mental
health problems can lose friendship, feel isolated, withdraw from the world and not get
the help they need.

Due to the nature of an eating disorder many of the characteristic behaviours may be
concealed. A person with an eating disorder may go to great lengths to hide, disguise or
deny their behaviour, or do not recognise that there is anything wrong.
A person with an eating disorder may have disturbed eating behaviours coupled with
extreme concerns about weight, shape, eating and body image.

To prevent eating desorders you must in first time, observe the person, who has the problem,
and after that seeking help. Eating disorders are complex illnesses whit biological,
psychological and socio-cultural implications. Finding the most effective,
knowledgeable health care providers for the treatment of eating disorders in children
and adolescents can be a difficult process. Exits a Medical component and
Psychological.

Eating disorders are serious; potentially life threatening mental and physical illnesses,
however with appropriate treatment and a high level of personal commitment, recovery
from an eating disorder is achievable.

Carers, families and friends play a significant role in managing and caring for someone
with an eating disorder.
Evidence shows that socio-cultural influences play a role in the development of eating
disorders, particularly among people who internalise the Western beauty ideal of
thinness. Images communicated through mass media such as television, magazines and
advertising are unrealistic, airbrushed and altered to achieve a culturally perceived
image of perfection that does not actually exit.

The most predominant images in our culture today suggest that beauty is equated with
thinness for females and a lean, muscular body for males. People who internalise this
thin ideal have a greater risk of developing body dissatisfaction which can lead to eating
disorder behaviours.

While moderate changes in diet and exercise have been shown to be safe, significant
mental and physical consequences may occur with extreme or unhealthy dieting
practices.

Nowadays this is a worrying problem over there in teenagers, but fortunately there is
medical and physiologist ways to solve, but we need observe our environment to
prevent and solve.