Eating Disorders are life-threatening illnesses that affect both the psychological and physical well-being of the person suffering from the disorder. These disorders are characterized by abnormal and harmful eating behaviors in which dieting moves to extreme measures. It affects all aspects of the person’s life and is caused by a variety of emotional issues. Their self-perception becomes so distorted that they have difficulty accepting themselves and their body. They see themselves as being “fat and ugly.” Their judgment is inaccurate and they cannot/will not eat until their underlying issues are resolved.

Signs to look for when one is suspected of having eating disorders:

• Preoccupation with weight, diet, food, and calories
• Consumption of large amounts of no-calorie foods
• Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
• Bruises easily
• Frequent mood swings
• Socially withdrawn or depressed
• Low self-esteem, or self-worth based on weight or size
• Complaints of being “fat” or a distorted body image
• Withdrawn or “testy” at meal times
• Rituals at meal time

• Anorexia nervosa, in which you become too thin, but you don’t eat enough because you think you are fat
• Bulimia nervosa, involving periods of overeating followed by purging, sometimes through self-induced vomiting or using laxatives
• Binge-eating, which is out-of-control eating

Women are more likely than men to have eating disorders. They usually start in the teenage years and often occur along with depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse.

Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death. Getting help early is important. Treatment involves monitoring, mental health therapy, nutritional counseling, and sometimes medicines.

Although eating disorders primarily affect women and girls, boys and men are also vulnerable. One in four preadolescent cases of anorexia occurs in boys. The binge-eating disorder affects both females and males.

Like females who have eating disorders, males with the illness have a warped sense of body image and often have muscle dysmorphia, a type of disorder that is characterized by an extreme concern with becoming more muscular. Some boys with the disorder want to lose weight, while others want to gain weight or “bulk up.” Boys who think they are too small are at a greater risk of using steroids or other dangerous drugs to increase muscle mass.

Boys with eating disorders exhibit the same types of emotional, physical, and behavioral signs and symptoms as girls, but for a variety of reasons, boys are less likely to be diagnosed with what is often considered a stereotypically “female” disorder.