"Global eating disorder statistics increased from 3.4% to 7.8% in 2022." - SingleCare Team
Eating Disorders are odd eating habits either caused by stress, insecurities, or perhaps a health condition. Although they can occur in everyone despite their gender, age, weight, and race, they are more common in women from the ages 12-35. Almost 10% of the world population have some type of eating disorder.
Different Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
The most common type of eating disorder is Anorexia Nervosa. This affects about 1/5 of the people in the world who have an eating disorder. Physical symptoms of this disorder includes starvation, extreme weight loss, insomnia, fatigue, fainting, and dehydration. Emotional and behavioral problems like social withdrawal, not wanting to eat in public, fear of gaining weight, lack of emotion, and many more can be seen in Anorexia. Those with Anorexia have a distorted body image and view their bodies differently than other people would. Although they believe themselves to be overweight, they're actually severely underweight. Treatment for this disorder can allow them gain a greater understanding of their self-worth, develop healthier eating habits and stop further medical complications.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder is when someone eats large portions of food within one sitting. This disorder causes several symptoms such as eating unhealthy amounts of food, eating food fast until one is uncomfortably full, feeling uncomfortable with ones body, feeling upset or depressed, and eating alone. Currently, people don't know the main cause of this however other causes may be if in ones family there is a history of eating disorders or having psychological issues. Problems that can occur from this disorder is isolation from people such as friends and family, poor quality in life, and obesity.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa occurs when one eats an unusual amount of food and purposely tries to throw it up to get rid of it from their body. They do this by vomiting, using laxatives, fasting, or exercising excessively. These episodes of uncontrolled eating can occur at least two times a week for up to three months or longer. Unlike Anorexia, those with bulimia usually maintain a normal weight rather than being severely underweight. Some characteristics of Bulimia include over-thinking of weight and body shape.
How Do People Develop Eating Disorders?
There isn't a an exact cause of eating disorders as it differs in many people. However, according to researchers and the latest technology, eating disorders can root from genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors. Environmental factors such as family conflict, physical or sexual abuse history, and being bullied because of weight or appearance may cause eating disorders to develop.
How Do People Recover From Eating Disorders?
There is no certain way to get over eating disorders since there are so many. However, there are several tips and tricks to be able to try. Some ways include:
- Find a nutritionist to help incorporate healthy eating behaviors into your daily life
- Talk to people about what's going on or seek help through therapy
- Check with your local hospital or medical center
Doing these things may not be easy at first, but once you get used to them, you'll be back to your normal eating habits in no time!
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