For decades eating disorders, namely
anorexia and bulimia, were considered a females disease, especially a
white, middle-to-upper class women’s disease. It was known to afflict
females in their mid teens into early adulthood. It was not really
talked about and for many kept a secret for years. Today all of these
myths are dispelled as the number of eating disorders have grown into
the millions and no longer have any boundaries.
In fact, latest statistics show that over
11 million Americans have an eating disorder, ten million women and one
million men. The age of onset for eating disorders can be seen in those
as young as 9 years old to 17 years old, but cases on both sides have
been seen as well. (Specific new classifications of eating disorders,
called selective restrictive eating disorder, has been found in those as
young as preschoolers.) Eating disorders have been growing in various
religious groups, especially within the Jewish Orthodox communities
where more girls are diagnosed with anorexia than in the general
population. Other cultures and races also are seeing a rise in the
number of females and males being afflicted with an eating disorder.
It seems that 10-15% of those suffering are
considered to be serious eating disorders. Seventy seven percent of the
individuals with eating disorders report that the disorder can last
from one to 15 years. Many will die of eating disorders each year,
however due to other complications that arise secondary to this disease
this number is hard to determine. It is however known that eating
disorders has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. And as
many as 50% of those with eating disorders report they are never truly
cured.
Today there are many factors associated
with the development of an eating disorder. Genetics, psychological
conditions, athleticism, family dynamics and social pressures are all
linked to this rise in eating disorders. With 25 million men and 43
million women looking to diet or lose weight, there is a greater
awareness of body image and its connection to dietary intake. Studies
confirm that over 50% of girls by age 11 think they are overweight or
have already admitted to dieting. The media’s obsession with body
image, within articles and advertisements, has added pressure to women
and men to be thin or at least change their physical appearance. The
growth of diet related products in the food industry is yet another
place where the pressure to be thin is evident.
Luckily all of this talk about eating
disorders is becoming more commonplace. From websites, to school
committees, to health professionals to families communicating a greater
awareness is being heard. There are a multitude of out patient
programs, day programs and residential programs geared to those with
anorexia and bulimia. There are many multidisciplinary teams who
specialize in this disorder and are educated to help those who are
suffering. There is help out there if you are looking to find it.
It is important that parents, teachers,
coaches and other adults in the community are aware that anyone is
susceptible to an eating disorder. We must not assume it only afflicts
white upper class teen age girls, but be realistic that is no longer the
truth. We need to watch out for symptoms that might include: changes
in food behaviors, extreme weight loss/fluctuation, skipping meals,
visiting the bathroom after meals, obsessions with exercise or dieting,
removing oneself from social situations, counting calories and avoiding
social situations that involved food. All or some of these might be
indicative of an eating disorder.
Despite the fact that eating disorders
knows no boundaries, with the right information and awareness, it can be
treated. Help those with anorexia and bulimia get help and turn the
staggering numbers around. Eleven million is eleven million too many.
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