Eating Disorders

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Eating disorders are extremely common, however can be serious and even life threatening if not treated appropriately. Millions of people are affected by eating disorders every year and unfortunately thousands of sufferers die because their disorder has gone unrecognised for too long. Approximately 1% of people aged between 10 and 20 suffer from anorexia each year and 4% aged 16 - 25 suffer from bulimia.

The main characteristic of an eating disorder is the individual's obsession with their weight; these obsessive thoughts can lead to severe consequences in both their health and their actions.

Research has shown that females are much more likely to develop anorexia and bulimia than males. However, this is not the case with binge-eating disorder, which seems to develop in almost as many males as females.

Common Symptoms:

Dramatic weight loss or gain in a fairly short period of time.

Obsession with weight

Obsession with calories and fat content of foods.

Loss of sexual desire

Mood swings, feeling depressed and tired

Insomnia or poor sleeping habits.

Experiencing low self-esteem

Experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempting suicide

Obsessing about food and body image

Isolation and fear of eating while others are around

Unusual Food rituals and secretive eating patterns

Hiding food in strange places to avoid eating or to eat secretly at a later time

Feeling anxious, lonely or depressed

Types of Eating Disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge-Eating Disorder

Eating Disorder Statistics:  More Statistics >>

According to the Mental Health Foundation current estimates suggest that up to 1 per cent of women in the UK between the ages of 15 and 30 suffer from anorexia nervosa, and between 1 and 2 per cent suffer from bulimia nervosa. As many cases of eating disorder are unreported or undiagnosed, the actual figures are likely to be much higher. Eating disorders are much more likely to occur among women than men. However, for anorexia, there is also evidence to suggest that in the younger age group (7–14 years), up to 25 per cent of cases are boys. [10] [11]

(Statistics from Mind.org.uk)

Further Information about Eating Disorders:

www.swedauk.org

www.eating-disorders.org.uk

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