Eating Disorder

Generally, eating disorders are nothing but self developed wrong attitudes towards the food and themselves. It includes unpleasant and self critical thoughts about the food and the body weight, and the eating habits that interrupt the routine activities and the normal functioning of the body. Eating disorders are generally caused by a combination of social, genetic, psychological and family factors.

Some sports like wrestling and ballet contribute towards developing the eating disorders because here they give importance to leanness. Genetics also play a significant role. The person whose family members have eating disorders is more likely to develop the eating disorder. Sometimes, the problems at the home, alcohol or drug abuses are also more likely to develop disordered eating patterns.

The media images also contribute towards developing the eating disorders, particularly in teenagers. The women shown in the ads, sports programs and movies are very thin and thus the teenage girls develop a misconception that thinness is the ideal of beauty. These eating disorders can give rise to many serious health concerns. You may experience dehydration, dizziness, confusion, agitation, loss of memory, unable to concentrate, etc. It may also affect the rate of growth, bone mass, delays the puberty, problems regarding blood pressures gastrointestinal problems and irregular heartbeats.

The eating disorders must be treated timely. The treatment includes nutritional counseling, therapy, medical supervision and meditation. The earlier, the disorder is diagnosed the more effective and shorter will be the treatment. If the eating disorder is discovered before you get malnourished, the duration of the treatment will be relatively shorter.