Eating Disorders» Essay Paper

In modern society eating disorders can be characterized as a social and medical problem. The main causes of eating disorders are an ideal body image and overeating. Eating disorders of different types increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and some forms of cancer. These risks of obesity are particularly strong in individuals under age 40. Several prospective studies, following large cohorts of subjects, have shown that individuals who are even modestly overweight have a greater risk of developing coronary heart disease. The relation between eating disorders and mortality is complex and different studies reach different conclusions. Some of the discrepancies between these studies are due to methodological problems, such as the failure to control for smoking (smokers are thinner and die earlier; thus, low body weight may appear to be a risk factor for mortality, whereas it is really smoking that is the risk factor). In the strongest studies, there appears to be an almost linear, continuous relation between BMI and mortality. Eating disorders is both a personal and psychological problem which needs medical interventions and support of relatives and close people. The first part of the paper will address the main types of eating disorders and consequences caused by eating disorders; the second part will discuss psychological and biological causes of eating disorders; conclusion will summarize the main findings and research results.Eating Disorders» Essay Paper

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Discussion Section

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is one of the common eating disorders that are determined over the concern with human body weight and shape that usually lead to repeated episodes of binging related to induce vomiting, use of laxatives, fasting, and/or excessive exercise to control weight. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) classified the bulimia as a distinct disorder early in 1980, which name was changed in 1987 to bulimia nervosa. Being used to treat mental illnesses and disorders, psychoactive drugs influence the central nervous system by altering the cognition and behavior of the person, including mood, thought process, perception, arousal, etc. Such drugs are used as primary treatment in case of mental disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Though, in cases of personality disorders psychoactive drugs are used as secondary treatment in the form of cognitive-behavioral therapy.Eating Disorders» Essay Paper

Psychoactive drugs can be classified in the following categories: (a) depressants such as hypnotics, alcohol, volatile solvents or tranquilizers that reduce the central nervous system (CNS) activity and body functions; (b) stimulants such as ecstasy, caffeine, cocaine, nicotine or amphetamines that, on the contrary, increase the work of CNS; (c) opioids like heroin or morphine that reduce and relieve pain and stimulate sleep; and finally (d) hallucinogens such as LSD, PCP or marijuana that influence the human perception and cause hallucinations and delusions (Claude-Pierre, 1998). It has become increasingly clear that body fat distribution, as well as total body fat, contributes to the health consequences. The problem of bulimia nervosa is an ideal body image popularized by mass media. Such influence is characterized by the following criteria: (a) density, which is the extent to which people know each other; (b) reciprocity, which is mutual sharing; (c) intensity, which identifies the frequency of interactions between community members; (d) dispersion, which suggests how easily members contact each other; (e) functional social support, under which people provide assistance, contacts, and resources to help each other (Claude-Pierre, 1998).

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder when people starve themselves since they are convinced they are overweight despite in reality having extreme weight loss of 15% below the person’s normal body weight. That is why, it is vitally important to identify anorexia symptoms at the beginning stage of this eating disorder to be able to heal it and prevent further harmful effects. Causing such negative side effects as irregular heartbeat, mineral loss, shrunken bones, and others anorexia can lead to hospitalization, harmed body functioning and even death. (Izevbigie, 2006). Moreover, aside from serious consequences considering health condition, there might appear a risk of total social isolation due to social discrimination, depression and low self esteem.Eating Disorders» Essay Paper

Obesity

Obesity is defined as: “an excess of body fat, and is distinct from “overweight” (Toth and Schwartz 13) which means an excess of body weight. When contrasted with smoking and drinking, obesity at first seems like a less serious health problem. Obesity is not only more hazardous than smoking and drinking, but it also leads to a higher cost for health care and medicine. Statistics also show that obesity contributes approximately 740,000 deaths from heart diseases, 540,000 from cancer, 158,000 from stroke, and 59,000 from diabetes are mainly contributable to obesity.

In many cases of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, female patients often feel pressure because they cannot accept their appearances and eventually starve themselves to stay in shape (Izevbigie, 2006).Eating Disorders» Essay Paper

Abdominal obesity is seen most commonly in men, in those who are heavier, and also appears to be associated with high dietary fat intake, low exercise, and smoking; there also appears to be a genetic contribution to body fat distribution. Overweight individuals are exposed to significant prejudice and discrimination. Children as young as age 6 rate overweight children as lazy, stupid, dirty, and prefer not to play with overweight peers.Eating Disorders» Essay Paper