Eating Disorders
Beyda
Important Facts
Research shows that 42% of girls in grades 1-3 want to be thin and 81% of 10-year-old girls are afraid of being fat.
In children, most patients with eating disorders begin to manifest the disorder between the ages of 11 and 13.
An ongoing study in Minnesota has found that the incidence (new cases) of anorexia has increased over the past 50 years only in women aged 15-24. Incidence has been stable at other ages and in men.
Eating disorders are the third chronic condition in the world and it is estimated that one out of three cases is unknown because people do not consult a doctor for this type of behavior.
What are they?
Eating disorders are problems related to the way people eat. They can be very harmful to a person's health, emotions and personal
relationships.
Eating disorders generally include negative and self-critical thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, and eating habits that interfere with normal body function and daily activities.
To help you better understand people with these Eating Disorders you can watch the following video:
Types
Why?
Scientists and researchers are still learning about the causes of these harmful physical and emotional conditions. However, we can find several factors:
Psychological Factors
Low self-esteem
Feelings of failure or loss of control of your life
Depression, anxiety, anger and loneliness
Interpersonal Factors
Problematic personal and family relationships
Difficulty expressing feelings and emotions
Being teased or ridiculed based on your height or weight
History of physical or sexual abuse
Social Factors
Cultural norms that value people based on their physical appearance and not on their internal qualities and virtues
Cultural pressures that glorify "thinness" and give value to getting a "perfect body" (beauty standards)
Biological Factors
Eating Disorders usually run in families. Current studies tell us that genetics contribute significantly to eating disorders.