When somebody starts to develop extremely unhealthy nutrition habits, especially if the person thinks he or she needs to eat differently to change the way he or she looks, 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.

Some people might think that eating disorders are not dangerous, or that people affected by the disorders can easily change what they are doing. However, eating disorders are very dangerous, and it is not always easy for people with an eating disorder to change their ways. Eating disorders are extremely unhealthy and can even lead to death. Fortunately, people with eating disorders can get healthy with the help of doctors and therapists.

If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, the best think you can do is talk to an adult you trust. If you're trying to help a friend, that friend might get mad at you in the beginning but will probably thank you later for making them get help. If you have an eating disorder, it may seem hard to tell people about it, but people who care about you will be understanding and want to help you get well.

• An eating disorder is a good way to lose some extra pounds.
• Only girls can develop eating disorders.
• Only skinny people have eating disorders.
• An eating disorder can help people look better and have more self esteem.
• My friend has an eating disorder, but she must be OK because she looks healthy.
• Specific Examples of Eating Disorders

Myths About Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is a good way to lose some extra pounds.

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. For example, smaller portions and practicing moderate exercise can be a good way to lose extra 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. (There are approximately 7 to 10 million girls and women in the United States with eating disorders.)
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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, like skipping lunch.

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An eating disorder can help people look better and have more 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. Often people with eating disorders will never be happy with their bodies, even if they end up losing a lot of weight.
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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. If the friend doesn't recover from the eating disorder, she could keep losing weight and be put her life at risk.
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Specific Examples of Eating Disorders

While there are many different types of eating disorders, below are two of the most common eating disorders.

Anorexia

This is one of the most well known eating disorders. People with anorexia generally don’t eat enough food for their body and might exercise obsessively. People with anorexia may be:

• Too skinny, which can affect their health


• Afraid of being fat, even after losing weight


• Obsessed with their weight


• Demonstrating strange eating habits like moving food around on their plate rather than eating it, cutting it into really small pieces or starving themselves on purpose

People with anorexia should get help from doctors and therapists. They can develop serious health problems, including death from starvation and malnutrition (not getting the right kind of important vitamins and minerals). Anorexic patients may grow fine hair all over their bodies because the body is trying to stay warm. (The body usually burns food as fuel to stay warm.) Anorexic girls may also miss their periods and might not be able to have children later in life if they don’t get treatment for their eating disorder.

Bulimia

Symptoms of bulimia include:

• Eating large amounts of food (more than a normal meal or snack) and then trying to get rid of the food by throwing up or taking laxatives


• Starving oneself after eating large amounts of food


• Feeling out-of-control when eating

People with bulimia often force themselves to vomit, which causes serious damage to their bodies because 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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