Eating Disorders: Facts for Teens
What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is an obsession with food and weight that harms a person's
well-being. Although we all worry about our weight sometimes, people with an
eating disorder go to extremes to keep from gaining weight. There are two main
eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
What causes eating disorders?
We don't know exactly. Possible causes include feeling stressed out or upset
about something in your life, or feeling like you need to be "in control."
Society also puts a lot of pressure on people to be thin. This pressure can
contribute too.
What is anorexia?
People with anorexia are obsessed with being thin. They don't want to eat, and
they are afraid of gaining weight. They may constantly worry about how many
calories they take in or how much fat is in their food. They may take diet
pills, laxatives or water pills to lose weight. They may exercise too much.
Anorexics usually think they're fat even though they're very thin. People with
anorexia may get so thin that they look like they're sick.
It's healthy to watch what you eat and to exercise. What isn't healthy is
worrying all the time about your weight and what you eat. People with eating
disorders do harmful things to their bodies because of their obsession about
their weight.
If it isn't treated, anorexia can cause the following health problems:
What is bulimia?
Bulimia is eating a lot of food at once (called bingeing), and then throwing up
or using laxatives to remove the food from the body (called purging). After a
binge, some bulimics fast (don't eat) or over-exercise to keep from gaining
weight. People with bulimia may also use water pills, laxatives or diet pills to
"control" their weight. People with bulimia often try to hide their bingeing and
purging. They may hide food for binges. Bulimics are usually close to normal
weight, but their weight may go up and down.
If it isn't treated, bulimia can cause the following health problems:
Can eating disorders be treated?
Yes. For anorexics, the first step is getting back to a normal weight. If you're
malnourished or very thin, you may be put in the hospital. Your doctor will
probably want you to see a dietitian to learn how to pick healthy foods and eat
at regular times. For both anorexics and bulimics, family and individual
counseling (talking about your feelings about your weight and problems in your
life) is helpful.
What are the warning signs?
The following are possible warning signs of anorexia and bulimia: