eat
Sara Tezel
Senior Comp 12-2
Mrs. Wacker
5 January 2006
An Eating Society
Donuts, ice cream, cookies, candy bars, and other junk food may not seem like anything special to the average person, but to someone suffering from an eating disorder, these foods are addictive or often feared drugs. To an anorexic, junk food is a poison to be avoided at all costs, a bulimic indulges and then rushes to cleanse the body, and those who suffer from compulsive overeating cannot force enough of these substances into their mouths. The three major eating disorders include the following: anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and compulsive overeating.
According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, also known as ANAD, anorexia nervosa is a disorder that is classified when a person’s weight drops at least fifteen percent below ideal body weight. People who suffer from anorexia often fast for long periods of time allowing themselves little or no food. Anorexics refuse to maintain a healthy weight because they see a distorted view of their body; they see an overweight person. Afraid of gaining weight or becoming fat, female sufferers often cease menstruating due to extreme weight loss.
Bulimia is when a person loses control of his or her eating habits and consumes numerous calories in a short period of time. Overwhelmed with the grief and guilt of binging, most bulimics purge, or vomit, in an attempt to cleanse the body or undo their actions. Abuse of laxatives or diet pills is a common problem for people suffering from this eating disorder. Bulimics are harder to identify than anorexics because many sufferers are the healthy recommended weight for their height and age.
Compulsive overeating, also referred to as Binge Eating Disorder, occurs when a larger amount of food is consumed in a short period of time than would normally be consumed under the same circumstances. Those who binge occasionally are not classified as having this disorder. The ANAD states that only when binging occurs at least two times per week for six months is a person diagnosed as a compulsive overeater. After a person binges they feel physical as well as emotional discomfort. Many compulsive overeaters are above ideal body weight.
Some people do not fit neatly into one of these three eating disorder categories. It is possible for a person to suffer from anorexia nervosa and, in a moment of self-proclaimed weakness, decide to binge and purge. Eating disorders are serious illnesses that harm the body. Junk food is a drug to sufferers and eating habits are a hard thing to control.
Senior Comp 12-2
Mrs. Wacker
5 January 2006
An Eating Society
Donuts, ice cream, cookies, candy bars, and other junk food may not seem like anything special to the average person, but to someone suffering from an eating disorder, these foods are addictive or often feared drugs. To an anorexic, junk food is a poison to be avoided at all costs, a bulimic indulges and then rushes to cleanse the body, and those who suffer from compulsive overeating cannot force enough of these substances into their mouths. The three major eating disorders include the following: anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and compulsive overeating.
According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, also known as ANAD, anorexia nervosa is a disorder that is classified when a person’s weight drops at least fifteen percent below ideal body weight. People who suffer from anorexia often fast for long periods of time allowing themselves little or no food. Anorexics refuse to maintain a healthy weight because they see a distorted view of their body; they see an overweight person. Afraid of gaining weight or becoming fat, female sufferers often cease menstruating due to extreme weight loss.
Bulimia is when a person loses control of his or her eating habits and consumes numerous calories in a short period of time. Overwhelmed with the grief and guilt of binging, most bulimics purge, or vomit, in an attempt to cleanse the body or undo their actions. Abuse of laxatives or diet pills is a common problem for people suffering from this eating disorder. Bulimics are harder to identify than anorexics because many sufferers are the healthy recommended weight for their height and age.
Compulsive overeating, also referred to as Binge Eating Disorder, occurs when a larger amount of food is consumed in a short period of time than would normally be consumed under the same circumstances. Those who binge occasionally are not classified as having this disorder. The ANAD states that only when binging occurs at least two times per week for six months is a person diagnosed as a compulsive overeater. After a person binges they feel physical as well as emotional discomfort. Many compulsive overeaters are above ideal body weight.
Some people do not fit neatly into one of these three eating disorder categories. It is possible for a person to suffer from anorexia nervosa and, in a moment of self-proclaimed weakness, decide to binge and purge. Eating disorders are serious illnesses that harm the body. Junk food is a drug to sufferers and eating habits are a hard thing to control.
posted by Stezie @ 7:58 PM
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