Eating Disorders 10-20 Times More Common In Women

By Clifford Newman, MD

Fairfax Psychiatry of Centreville

. http://www.fairfaxpsychiatryofcentreville.com/

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Eating Disorders 10-20 Times More Common In Women

The two most prevalent eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is characterized as a disorder in which a person refuses to maintain a minimal normal weight which is defined as less than 85% of expected weight is intensely afraid of gaining weight, and significantly misinterprets their body, and its shape. They have a relentless pursuit of thinness, often to the point of starvation. Onset is usually in adolescence, and the person will have an absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles.

There are two different types of anorexia nervosa the “restricting” type, during which a person restricts their caloric intake, and the “binge eating/purging” type, during which a person regularly engages in binge eating episodes followed by purging through vomiting, the use of laxatives, enemas, or even diuretics to prevent weight gain.

Patients with this disorder exhibit peculiar behavior about food, and will often have ritualistic, excessive, and rigid exercise habits. They may hide food all over the house, and frequently carry large quantities of candy in their pockets or purses. They may try to dispose of food in napkins, or hide it in their pockets. They may cut their food into very small pieces, and spend a great deal of time rearranging the pieces on their plate.

Frequently, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety may accompany anorexia nervosa, as well as numerous medical conditions related to severe weight loss or purging.

Unfortunately, people with this disorder are often in denial of their condition, and don't seek treatment until after they develop severe medical problems. The outcome of treatment is therefore highly variable, and can range from spontaneous recovery to a waxing and waning course, to death.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is defined as binge eating combined with inappropriate ways of stopping weight gain. Like those with the “binge eating/purging” type of anorexia nervosa, they show self-induced vomiting, repeated laxative or diuretic use, excessive and rigid exercise habits, etc. to prevent weight gain.

However, unlike patients with anorexia nervosa, those with bulimia nervosa may maintain a normal or even above normal body weight, and their menstruation is more regular. Fortunately, those with bulimia nervosa, unlike patients with anorexia nervosa, are usually not in denial about their illness, and are quite distressed about it. They are therefore more likely to seek out treatment.

Eating disorders have become a serious problem in this country. Clearly, awareness of dangers associated with these behaviors needs to become more widespread.