Eating Disorders

Eating disorders involve serious disturbance in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight.

• The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder
• More than 7 million women an 1 million men experience an eating disorder in this county alone
• Eating disorders frequently develop during adolescence or early adulthood, and females are much likely than male to develop them
• Researchers estimate that as many as 20-30% of college-age women may display bulimic behaviors
• An estimated 2-3% of young women develop bulimia, 1 in 250 are estimated to be suffering from anorexia nervosa, and 2% from binge eating disorder
• Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders
• In addition, people who suffer from eating disorders can experience a wide range of physical health complications, including:
  -  Serious heart conditions and kidney failure which may lead to death
  -  Cessation of menstruation
  -  Erosion of tooth enamel and increased cavities
  -  Lightheadedness and dizziness or fainting
  -  Sensitivity to cold
  -  Dry skin and thinning scalp hair
  -  Mortality rate is 5-15% (lower with treatment)

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