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Eating Disorders

Fact: Nearly 10 million girls/women and up to 1 million boys/men in the United States suffer from anorexia or bulimia

Anorexia: Cycle of self starvation in which the body is robbed of essential nutrients. As a result, normal bodily functions are slowed to conserve energy. 

Symptoms that may be present with Anorexia:

  • Introverted
  • Angry
  • Controlled
  • Ritualistic
  • Denial of Hunger
  • Restricts calories
  • Turns away from food to cope
  • May say "I'm too fat."
  • Lack of period (after normal age of puberty)
  • Overachiever/perfectionist
  • Demanding and critical

Health Problems associated with Anorexia:

  • Fatigue
  • Slow Heart Rate
  • Severe dehydration
  • Hair loss
  • Fainting
  • Decreased performance
  • Muscle atrophy & weakness
  • Anemia
  • Death

Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by binge and purge cycles.

Symptoms that you may observe in someone with Bulimia:

  • High achiever
  • Extoverted
  • Turns to food to cope
  • Binge eating followed by fasting, laxative abuse, vomiting, over-exercising
  • Impulsive
  • Obsessive Compulsive

Health Problems from Bulimia

  • Dental problems (from vomiting)
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Pancreatitiis
  • Gastric ruptures
  • Chronic bowel problems (from laxative abuse)
  • Electrolyte imbalance-can lead to heart failure-and death

If you or someone who know is suffering from an eating disorder, contact:

National Eating Disorders Association hotline: 1-800-931-2237 (hours vary)

National Eating Disorders Association Website

Other Nutrition Links

Nutrition.gov

My Pyramid

Real Age

National Eating Disorders Association