EATING DISORDERS

ANOREXIA NERVOSAAnorexia nervosa is a type of

eating disorder. People who have anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight. They severely limit the amount of food they eat and can become dangerously thin.

Anorexia affects both the body and the mind. It may start as dieting, but it gets out of control.

It usually starts in the teen years. It's much more common in females than males.

Between 5% and 20% of people who develop the disease eventually die from it.

Untreated anorexia can lead to starvation and serious health problems, such as bone thinning (osteoporosis), kidney damage, and heart problems. Some people die from these problems.

WHAT CAUSES ANOREXIA?Eating disorders are complex, and experts

don't really know what causes them. But they may be due to a mix of family history, social factors, and personality traits. You may be more likely to have anorexia if:

Other people in your family have an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa.

You have a job or do a sport that stresses body size, such as ballet, modeling, or gymnastics.

You are the type of person who tries to be perfect all the time, never feels good enough, or worries a lot.

You are dealing with stressful life events.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?People who have anorexia often strongly

deny that they have a problem. They don't see or believe that they do. It's usually up to their loved ones to get help for them. If you are worried about someone, you can look for certain signs.

People who have anorexia:Weigh much less than is healthy or

normal.

Are very afraid of gaining weight.Refuse to stay at a normal weight. Think they are overweight even when they are

very thin.Their lives become focused on controlling their

weight. They may:Obsess about food, weight, and dieting.Strictly limit how much they eat. Exercise a lot, even when they are sick.Vomit or use laxatives or water pills (diuretics) to

avoid weight gain.

BULIMIA NERVOSABulimia is a type of eating disorder.

People with bulimia will eat a large amount of food in a short time (binge). Then they will do something to get rid of the food (purge). They may vomit, exercise too much, or use medicines like laxatives.

People who have bulimia may binge because food gives them a feeling of comfort. But eating too much makes them feel out of control. After they binge, they feel ashamed, guilty, and afraid of gaining weight. This causes them to purge.

Without treatment, this "binge and purge" cycle can lead to serious, long-term health problems.

Acid in the mouth from vomiting can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and people can lose tooth enamel.

Any type of purging can lead to bone thinning (osteoporosis), kidney damage, heart problems, or even death.

WHAT CAUSES BULIMIA?

All eating disorders are complex problems, and experts do not really know what causes them. But they may be caused by a mix of family history, social factors, and personality traits.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?People with bulimia:Binge on a regular basis. They eat

large amounts of food in a short period of time, often over a couple of hours or less. During a binge, they feel out of control and feel unable to stop eating.

Purge to get rid of the food and avoid weight gain. They may make themselves vomit, exercise very hard or for a long time, or misuse laxatives, water pills (diuretics), or other medicines.

Base how they feel about themselves on how much they weigh and how they look.