Eating disorders
What are eating disorders?
The term ‘eating disorders’ is used to describe serious illnesses that affect some people, mainly young females. The 2 main forms of these illnesses are:
- anorexia nervosa; and
- bulimia nervosa.
Both of these illnesses have similar features, including a preoccupation with weight and food.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia is thought to affect one out of every 100 teenagers. It is 20 times more common in girls than boys.
The affected person may lose about one-sixth of their body weight, and often much more. This happens because they refuse to eat enough food, despite feeling hungry.
They usually have a false impression of their body size, believing themselves to be fat when to others this is clearly not the case. They have an intense fear of becoming fat and may obsessively collect slimming guides, recipe books and other information about food and nutrition. They will often spend a lot of time preparing food for others to eat.
Most people with anorexia nervosa severely restrict their food intake, some make themselves vomit and use laxatives, and many exercise intensely.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia usually occurs in slightly older people, from the late teens onwards, and is more common than anorexia nervosa. Many people with bulimia will have had previous episodes of anorexia.
People with bulimia go on regular eating ‘binges’ during which they consume large amounts of high-calorie food. During the binge they feel out of control of themselves and experience a loss of self-respect. To compensate, they make themselves vomit and/or use laxatives to get rid of the weight they may have gained. Often they are not underweight and their problem is not as obvious as that of people with anorexia.
What causes eating disorders?
Several factors may be responsible for these illnesses.
- Media and fashion tend to portray thin women as the most attractive and teenagers naturally want to follow these messages.
- Personal issues such as family problems, the need for adolescents to become independent, perfectionism and the pressures to be a high achiever can all contribute.
- Sometimes chemical imbalances and the hormonal changes occurring at this stage of life can have an effect.
What are the effects of eating disorders?
Both anorexia and bulimia can have serious, and even fatal, consequences. Inadequate nutrition can cause problems with most parts of the body, including kidney failure, muscle cramps, heart failure and bowel problems. The recurrent vomiting of people with bulimia may damage the mouth, throat and stomach. Many girls with anorexia find that their periods stop, and fine, downy hair may grow on all parts of their body.
As well as physical problems, there may be marked personality changes including withdrawal from friendships, depression and mood swings. The chemical imbalances in the body may make clear thinking difficult, with obvious effects on work or study.
How are eating disorders treated?
Once an eating disorder is diagnosed, a variety of treatments is available to help recovery. Re-feeding to restore a normal weight range for height and age is an important part of treatment for anorexia. Psychological counselling, dietary advice, medications and even hospital admission to correct malnutrition may sometimes be necessary.
Like most illnesses, the outlook for these problems is best when they are recognised early. If you feel that you or someone you know well is showing signs of an eating disorder, seek help immediately.
Last Reviewed: 29 May 2009
- 1. Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG). Eating disorders. In: Psychotropic guidelines [updated 2008, Oct; accessed 2009, Jun 11]. Available from: http://www.tg.org.au
2. Lock JD, Fitzpatrick KK. Anorexia nervosa. BMJ Clinical Evidence 2009;03:1011
3. Hay PJ, Bacaltchuk J. Bulimia nervosa. BMJ Clinical Evidence 2008;06:1009
