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Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are characterized by the following:
- Problematic eating patterns
- Extreme concerns about body weight
- Inappropriate behaviors aimed at controlling body weight.
The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia
nervosa.
The large majority of eating disorders occur in females and are much more
common in industrialized countries where people idealize thinness and have easy
access to food. Eating disorders are also much more common in younger women.
Anorexia Nervosa
The main features of anorexia nervosa are a refusal to
maintain a body weight in the normal range, intense fear about gaining weight,
and highly distorted body image. In postpubescent women, another symptom of
anorexia nervosa is absence of menstrual periods. Anorexia nervosa can result in
serious medical problems, including anemia, kidney and cardiovascular
malfunctions, dental problems, and osteoporosis.
Bulimia Nervosa
The main features of bulimia nervosa are habitual binge
eating and unhealthy efforts to control body weight, including vomiting,
fasting, excessive exercise, or use of laxatives, diuretics, and other
medications. People with bulimia nervosa tend to evaluate themselves largely
according to their body weight and shape. Unlike people with anorexia nervosa,
people with bulimia nervosa typically have body weight in the normal range.
Bulimia nervosa can have serious medical consequences, including fluid and
electrolyte imbalances and dental and gastrointestinal problems.
Etiology of Eating Disorders
Many different factors influence the development of eating disorders.
Biological Factors
Some evidence suggests a genetic vulnerability to eating
disorders:
- Identical twins are more likely to both suffer from an eating disorder than are fraternal twins.
- Biological relatives of people with bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa appear to have an increased risk of developing the disorders.
Personality Factors
Some researchers have noted that people with eating disorders are more
likely to have certain personality traits:
- People with anorexia nervosa tend to be obsessive, rigid, neurotic, and emotionally inhibited.
- People with bulimia nervosa tend to be impulsive and oversensitive and have poor self-esteem.
Cultural Factors
Cultural factors strongly influence the onset of eating disorders. One
example is the high value placed on thinness in industrial countries.
Family Influences
Family environment may also influence the onset of eating disorders:
- Some theorists have suggested that eating disorders are related to insufficient autonomy within the family.
- Others have proposed that eating disorders might be affected by mothers who place too much emphasis on body weight.
Cognitive Factors
People with eating disorders show distortions of thinking, such as the
tendency to think in rigid all-or-none terms. It is unclear whether this
type of thinking causes the eating disorders or results from the eating
disorders.
Stress
The onset of anorexia nervosa is often associated with stressful
events such as leaving home for college.
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