Eating Disorders: Anorexia And Bulimia Nervosa

Should I eat dinner tonight? How many calories did I eat? Do I look skinnier? These are questions that people suffering from an eating disorder might ask themselves. Eating disorders, such as Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, affect the lives of young adults all around the world. An eating disorder is any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal eating habits. Conscious body images force bad eating habits, which then cause negative health problems immediately and later in life. At a young age, many girls dream to be a model and they start to believe that they must be skinny and pretty. Magazines and television put these images in their heads and they think that everyone should look like that. As girls enter the …show more content…
If a girl becomes anorexic, she eats very little. Girls who are anorexic are obsessed with the calories and fat in food. They will diet even if they are already thin, may lie about eating or may pretend to eat. Many girls with anorexia nervosa will play with their food, throw away their food, and make excuses to get out of meals. The amount of nutrients and calories consumed by someone with anorexia nervosa is considerably less than the amount needed to be a healthy human being. People suffering from bulimia nervosa have different eating habits than those with anorexia, and they eat uncontrollably, eating large amounts of food at one time, and then purging or vomiting to rid their body of the fat and calories. The person might also have a long period of fasting after consuming a large quantity of food. One eating disorder that is opposite of Bulimia and anorexia is binge-eating disorder. These eating habits, whether it be eating too much or eating too little, can lead to declining …show more content…
Anorexia can cause low blood pressure, heart failure, at a young age, preterm osteoporosis, which is a medical condition in which the bones become brittle, kidney failure, and premature death. As long as the person has a very low percentage of body fat, and no menstrual cycle, they will be unable to conceive. Many long-term effects stem from bulimia nervosa. Tooth decay is the most common because the vomiting eroded the tooth enamel. Stomach ulcers, acid reflux, esophageal ruptures, and intestinal problems can occur because of bulimia. More serious problems that can arise due to bulimia nervosa are seizures, kidney failure, heart failure, and premature death. All of the long-term effects of eating disorders lead to a shorter