Eating Disorders

When somebody starts to develop extremely unhealthy nutrition habits, it's called an eating disorder. Most eating disorders occur when someone wants a type of body that is unhealthy or they have a poor
body image.

Eating disorders are very dangerous, and it is not always easy for people with an eating disorder to change their ways. Fortunately, people with eating disorders can get healthy with the help of doctors and therapists.

• Anorexia
• Bulimia
• An eating disorder is a good way to lose weight
• Only girls can develop eating disorders
• Only skinny people have eating disorders
• An eating disorder can lead to better self-esteem
• My friend has an eating disorder, but she must be OK because she looks healthy

Specific Examples of Eating Disorders

Anorexia

People with anorexia generally don't eat enough food and might exercise obsessively. Anorexics may be:

• Too skinny
  
• Afraid of being fat, even after losing weight
  
• Obsessed with their weight
  
• Developing strange eating habits like moving food around on their plate rather than eating it or cutting it into really small pieces

People with anorexia can develop serious health problems. Anorexic patients may grow fine hair all over their bodies. Anorexic girls may also miss their periods. Left untreated, anorexia can lead to death.
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Bulimia

People with bulimia eat large amounts of food (binge), then "purge" by either throwing up or taking laxatives. They may also starves themselves after binging.

When they eat, bulimics feeling out-of-control. Their frequent vomiting causes serious damage to their bodies. Their stomach acid can harm their throat, mouth and teeth, causing permanent problems. Bulimia can also make a person feel depressed . People that do not seek treatment for their bulimia can die from starvation or malnutrition.

People that experience some, but not all, of the symptoms of either anorexia or bulimia may still have an eating disorder and should ask their parents or doctor for help.
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Myths About Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is a good way to lose weight

False. Eating disorders are never a good way to lose weight. If you are worried that you are overweight, ask your doctor about healthy ways to lose weight.
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Only girls can develop eating disorders

False. There are about 1 million boys and men in the United States who have eating disorders (compared with 7 to 10 million girls and women).
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Only skinny people have eating disorders

False. A person with an eating disorder might not look like he or she is has lost a noticeable amount of weight. However, you may notice the person has developed unusual eating habits.

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An eating disorder can lead to better self-esteem

False. Many people develop eating disorders as a way to get a "perfect body," because they are unhappy with their own bodies. However, a perfect body does not exist. People have different body types and shapes depending on their personal genetics.
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My friend has an eating disorder, but she must be OK because she looks healthy

False. Eating disorders are always unhealthy. Many people with eating disorders are never happy with their bodies, even if they end up losing a lot of weight, because they still have an unrealistic body image.
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