What Exactly Are Eating Disorders? | How Common Are Eating Disorders? | What Are the Symptoms of Eating Disorders? | What Causes Eating Disorders? | How Are Eating Disorders Treated?

Jane and Elizabeth are adhering to strict, low-calorie diets even though they are both dangerously underweight. Angela and Hank secretly eat huge amounts of food at one sitting and then make themselves vomit and spend hours exercising. Evelyn and Fred eat huge amounts of food and occasionally try dieting, but mostly just feel guilty and depressed. What do these six individuals have in common? They all have some type of eating disorder.

What Exactly Are Eating Disorders?

In an effort to stay healthy, many people try to control the amounts of food they eat as well as their body weight and shape. Some people experience short-term alterations in their eating patterns as a reaction to a stressful life situation or when dieting to improve their appearance and/or health. People with an eating disorder, however, think about food, weight, and body image constantly and usually have medical and psychological issues related to eating.

In case of serious medical complications like severe malnutrition, dehydration, or heart irregularities, a hospitalization may be needed.

There are three primary types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. They can disrupt school, work, and relationships and cause serious health problems that may require ongoing medical care and even hospitalization. In severe cases, they can cause permanent disability and even death.

How Common Are Eating Disorders?

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, up to 24 million Americans have some kind of eating disorder. Females ages 12-25 account for most cases. However, eating disorders can also occur in males and in people both younger and older. Most patients develop symptoms by age 20. Eating disorders can last from several months to many years.

Although eating disorders are most common among the white upper and middle classes, they occur in people of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The rate of eating disorders is higher in certain occupations, such as dance, gymnastics, and modeling, where there is excessive pressure to maintain a specific weight and appearance.

What Are the Symptoms of Eating Disorders?

  • Excessive weight loss or lack of normal weight gain, often to the point of starvation
  • Intense fear of gaining weight
  • Distorted body image—for example, seeing oneself as too fat even when underweight
  • Obsessive controlling of calories and fat even when underweight
  • Unusual eating habits, such as cutting food into tiny bites
  • Excessive or compulsive exercising
  • Absence of at least three consecutive menstrual periods

Some people with anorexia nervosa also binge eat and then make themselves vomit (purge) to keep their weight low.

  • Frequent episodes of binge eating (eating an abnormally large amount of food within two hours or less)
  • Feeling out of control while binge eating
  • Excessive concern with body weight and shape
  • Unusual eating habits, such as hoarding food and eating in secret
  • Frequent episodes of self-induced vomiting or misusing laxatives or diuretics to prevent weight gain
  • Attempts to control weight by excessive exercising, misusing diet pills, or fasting

People with bulimia nervosa often maintain a fairly normal weight by purging and/or excessive dieting, exercising, or fasting.

  • Frequent episodes of binge eating
  • Little or no use of behaviors to control weight, such as purging, excessive exercising or fasting, although may try dieting
  • Feeling guilty, depressed, or disgusted with oneself because of the binge eating and concern about being overweight
  • Eating large amounts when not hungry
  • Eating rapidly and until uncomfortably full

Until several years ago, this disorder was called "compulsive overeating." Many people with binge eating disorder are overweight.

What Causes Eating Disorders?

Combinations of certain factors make some people vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. These factors fall into these broad categories: sociocultural, biological, environmental, family-related, and psychological. The disorder often begins when vulnerable individuals are going through a difficult life change or event.

"Once an eating disorder develops, the behaviors and feelings keep reinforcing each other and may become ways of coping with other life problems. A self-perpetuating cycle is then created," according to Laura Weisberg, PhD, director of the eating disorders program at Westwood Lodge Hospital in Westwood, Massachusetts.

How Are Eating Disorders Treated?

An individualized treatment plan is developed for people with eating disorders, based on a thorough medical exam and psychological evaluation. Several of the following approaches are usually combined.

Most people with eating disorders have some success with treatment. However, the extent and speed of response vary with the individual, and relapses are common.

"Early detection and diagnosis are crucial to treat an eating disorder before it becomes a deeply ingrained cycle. This may prevent serious medical and psychological problems from developing," says Weisberg.

So, if you think you may have an eating disorder, make an appointment to talk with your doctor or a mental health professional. If you suspect someone you know may have an eating disorder, encourage her or him to seek professional help.