Eating Disorders

STUDENT’S NAME
Introduction
• An eating disorder is a condition in which we have negative feelings about the food we eat. "Eating disorders
impact 5-10 million people in the United States and 70 million people worldwide." They also impact a large
number of people, including women, men, and children of various ages and colors. People with eating disorders
often mistakenly believe they are fat when they are not. This is normally reserved for women or adolescent
females. They watch television, movies, read magazine articles, and look at images of superstars they aspire to be
like because they possess the "perfect physique" that everyone desires.

• Researchers have devoted a significant amount of work to the study of anorexia, an eating problem. Nonetheless,
the vast amount of data currently available has not been effectively leveraged in the fight against this condition. In
this context, the number of anorexic patients around the world has continued to rise, thus negating existing
therapeutic options. Initially, the disorder was limited to the western population, but as western ideals of beauty
have moved to other regions of the world, the disorder has spread rapidly. This review will look at several elements
of anorexia nervosa, including its history, possible causes, prevalence rate, and treatment options.
Eating disorders are classified into several categories.
• As society continues to promote a slender body mentality as the standard of beauty, Attia and Welsh note that as
people become more aware of their weight, a growing number of people are suffering anorexia. At some point in their
lives, almost everyone is anxious about their weight. According to the authors, persons who acquire eating disorders,
on the other hand, tend to take their concerns to an extreme. A person's health is jeopardized by abnormal eating
habits, and some extremes can result in death. According to research, the number of persons suffering from eating
disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, has increased in recent years.

• There are three different types of eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa is the first and most frequent type. Individuals
with this disease have a mistaken perception of their own bodies. Despite the fact that some of them are very
underweight, they will always feel overweight. These people will refuse to eat yet will continue to exercise
obsessively, with some even starving to death. Bulimia nervosa is the second form, which was previously confused
with anorexia nervosa. Unlike those suffering from anorexia nervosa, these people will eat a lot of food even if they
feel guilty about it. Because they are ashamed and disgusted by their bingeing behavior, the affected person will
engage in the foregoing behaviors. Tension and bad feelings dissipate as the contents of their stomachs are removed.
Anorexia nervosa: What You Need to Know
• Anorexia, according to Dare, is characterized by a decrease of appetite that is not caused by physical
illness but rather by mental perception. An individual's appetite is similar to that of a typical healthy
person, but they suppress it by eating very little or not eating for lengthy periods of time. Psychologists
consider this disorder to be life-threatening if left untreated for this reason.
• The patient's fixation with losing weight is the motivational aspect that causes them to lose appetite when
they see food. Such people are self-aware of their appearance and seek to obtain the ideal thin figure. To
preserve the ideal slender body, the folks listed above will starve themselves. Furthermore, they adhere to
a stringent exercise regimen prompted by their desire not to gain weight.
Anorexia nervosa in historical perspective
Many additional researchers have come forward, like Hilde Bruch and Arthur Crisp, and their work
has added to the research by developing treatment plans. Despite numerous studies into the condition,
there has been a lack of technological innovation in terms of treatment. As a result, it has been a
source of concern among modern physician researchers. Anorexia problem can be traced back to
various cultures dating back to ancient times. Prolonged fasting was observed during this time, but it
was mainly for religious reasons. The fast was popular in Greek and Egyptian cultures, but no proof
has been discovered that it was caused by the disorder.
Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that affects a large
number of people.
People of both genders are affected by the disorder's prevalence. It can impact people of all ages. Women, on the
other hand, are more predisposed to the illness than men. According to statistics, one out of every 10 men is
affected. According to experts, the disorder's prevalence is increasing by the day, and we may be in for a new
statistical perspective in the near future. Numerous research have revealed that the illness is more common in the
population of industrialized countries. Despite the abundance of food in developed countries, the populace,
particularly women, avoid eating to maintain a slender appearance that is deemed desirable. The condition has
been discovered to be widespread in western countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada,
and other highly developed nations. According to studies in the United States, 0.5 to 1% of girls are at risk of
developing the disease. An estimated 0.7 percent to 1.2 percent of females in the United Kingdom are at high
risk of developing anorexia.
Anorexia nervosa can be caused by a variety of
factors.
Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that has piqued the curiosity of researchers. They were also curious in the
contributing components that contribute to the disorder's development. However, pinpointing the exact
causes of the illness is challenging, and most of the theories put forth are speculative. Anorexia nervosa is
thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including environmental, cultural, biological, and
psychological factors.
Causes that are biological
Anorexia problem researchers have discovered evidence that some people are genetically prone to
developing the disorder, based on several trials. Anorexia nervosa is more likely to develop in someone
whose close family member has had an eating problem than in someone whose family has no history of
eating disorders. According to statistics, the risk is ten times higher, and more than half of anorexia
nervosa cases can be traced back to a hereditary element. Despite conducting several trials, researchers
have been unable to provide a clear explanation of how biological components are linked to eating
disorders. Researchers have uncovered particular chromosomes that are directly linked to the illness,
therefore research has been successful. The identified chromosomes have been linked to an increased
risk of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and others.
Cultural considerations
• Cultural beliefs and attitudes may also play a role in the development of anorexia nervosa and other
eating disorders. The prevalence of the disorders varies by race or ethnic group, and the size or scope of
the problems changes through time as societies evolve. Many studies have focused their research on
persons who are part of the western culture. However, substantial research must be conducted throughout
the world to demonstrate the disorder's global spread. The western culture, where a slender body is
considered as the ideal, is one cultural aspect that has helped to the development of the condition. This
idealization, which receives a lot of attention in the media, has been identified as a crucial cultural
component that contributes to the disorder's development.
Signs of danger
Those who are developing anorexia nervosa are more likely to utilize weight loss medications in the early
phases of the preoccupation. Researchers have discovered other behavioral indications. Individuals will
begin by reducing the amount of food they consume on a regular basis. Individuals will also have an
excessive interest in activities and will exercise whenever possible. Those who suffer from bulimia nervosa
will be spotted going to the restroom shortly after eating. Those suffering from anorexia nervosa will avoid
gatherings where food is likely to be given because they do not want to be compelled to eat. The aforesaid
behaviors have a harmful impact on the body, and patients begin to display indicators of bad health. The
most common symptom of anorexia nervosa is weight loss that is slow but persistent. At first, losing
weight is not hazardous to the body, particularly if the patient was overweight. Later on, as the patient's
weight loss exercises progress, he or she will begin to experience stomach issues, including constipation
and diarrhea.
Conclusion
Eating problems affect a large percentage of the population. Anorexia nervosa, a kind of eating disorder,
has become so widespread that, if not addressed, more health issues will arise in the future. Researchers
should work harder to come up with new ways to prevent and treat the disease.
 Reference
Attia Evelyn, Walsh B. Timothy, 2007. “Anorexia Nervosa”. American Journal Psychiatry 164(2007):
1805-1810.

Bell, Rudolph M. Holy anorexia. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press, 1987. Dare Chris, Isler
Ivan, Russel Gerald, Treasure Janet & Dodge Liz .“Psychological

Therapies for Adults with Anorexia Nervosa.” British Journal of Psychiatry, 178 (2001): 216-221.