They may be involved in sports which they would have to be an ideal body weight.

The males may have a closer relationship with their mothers than there fathers.

Confused about their sexuality and can be a factor in their search for identity.

Receiving criticism from people around them about themselves When both genders experience anorexia nervosa, they begin to experience physical brain shrinkage and dangers of bone loss.

An eating disorder is a severe psychological illness which relates to the obsession of food that harms a person such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Anorexia Nervosa is the obsession of being thin and not pleased with there normal body weight; and afraid of gaining weight, so they begin to starve themselves take numerous laxatives, diet pills and exercise too much. Bulimia Nervosa is the case in which you over eat exceeding the amount in which you are full at one time(binge) and the dispose of the food by either regurgitating or by taking laxatives (purge) by trying to prevent weight gaining.Binge Eating Disorder(BED) happens when a person has the lack of control on the amount of food that is consumed in a short period of time. Even though you may see results from some of these methods the truth is it can do major damage to the body. For example if anorexia isn’t treated it can cause health problems such as:

Physical symptoms:

Dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss

Growth of fine hair on different parts of your body, i.e. face

When underweight your body begins to feel cold even in warm areas

Fatigue, dizziness lightheaded

Heart problems

Stomach problems

If bulimia isn’t treated it can lead to:

Heart Problems

Kidney Problems

Stomach Problems

Fatigue, malnutrition, purging and/or laxative abuse

Dental problems from the vomit containing stomach acid

Sore throat and glands from the irritation caused by stomach acid during purging

Bruised knuckles and fingers from the excessive insertion down the throat, forcing vomiting

The physical symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder (BED):

Varicose and spider veins

Irregular and/or rapid hear rate

Hormonal and nutritional imbalances

Joint pain brought on by the excess weight

Tendency to become hot or warm, exhaustion, dizziness, caused by excess body weight

High blood pressure due to the exertion of increase weight gain and elevated cholesterol level

You may not know right away if you yourself or he or she is going through an eating disorder but these are the;

Warning signs of anorexia:

1. Removal of a food group (or groups). It is easy for anyone to cut down on fats or red meat, but to eliminate all fat, meat, and diary from diet there is a problem

2. Smoking of cigarettes and eating of, sodas, candies which can hold back the appetite.

3. Fearful of food, i.e. any food could be dangerous and thought of as a crime

4. Always concern with the appearance of a certain part of the body

5. Avoiding plans to go out and eat, or even at home and canceling of food dates

6. Excessive exercising, even when sick in any disastrous situation

Warning signs of bulimia:

1. Long visits to the bathroom after meals

2. Unusual swelling around the jaw

3. Purchasing large amounts of food, which disappear suddenly

4. Mood swings

5. Eating of large quantities of food

Warning signs of Binge Eating Disorder (BED):

1. Depressed

2. Feeling of being ashamed and self-disgust

3. Overweight exterior

4. Becoming out of control, especially when it comes to eating

5. Always eating, become very reserved and consistent snacking

Even though you may see someone you know going through these eating disorders, doesn’t mean the person with the disease knows he or she is sick, this Stages: First Stage is DENIAL, when the victim refuses to admit they might be wrong. For anyone who has not gone through denial it may be difficult for you to understand, but you can express your concerns, suggest seeing a doctor, and point out key facts. Second Stage is when the victim realizes there is a problem but does not want to change and does not want help. You can advise the person to see a nutritionist, a get some psychiatric treatment to deal with the emotional issues before you deal with the physical being. Third Stage is AWARENESS, when the person acknowledges the problem and wants to do something about it

Don’t worry these eating disorders can be treated but first you have to ask for it. The ways of treatment are as followed:

Group therapy

Nutritionist- who will see how your food ingestion and ways of to keep a balance diet and get back to a healthy weight

Psychotherapy

Medical treatment

Treating Anorexia:

1. Re-establish the weight that was lost from the binging and the purging; and rebuilding your body image, and self- esteem

2. Finishing with a full improvement and getting through any long term effects

Treating Bulimia:

1. The goal is to reduce eating and purging.

2. An attitude of non-binging can improve the persons attitude toward eating disorder

3. Anti-depressants such as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors(SSRIs)

A Note the Parents/Guardian of a child with eating disorders:

Never discourage your child in anyway; it has long term affects that can hinder the adolescent.

Communication is the key to a prosperous relationship with your children, on a friend to friend level as well as a parent to adult.

Spend some quality time together whether its shopping, studying, movies. Stay involved.

To learn more about eating disorder,you can read: Cassell,Dana K.and Gleaves,David H(PH.D.). THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF OBESITY AND EATING DISORDERS;THE SECOND EDITION. Facts On File, Inc., 1994 and 2004

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