Eating Disorders: Their Dark Sides :: essays research papers fc

"Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder on an overwhelming dread of becoming fat. The result of this unfounded tutelage is self-starvation and major weight loss. In addition, the undernourishment may cause hormonal disturbances, anemia, heart problems, brittle bones and many other problems, some of which are unsafe ("Anorexia Nervosa," 1). Bulimia is an eating disorder that is psychological in origin and can have dire physical consequences. While anorexics starve themselves, bulimics binge on viands and then purge by self-induced vomiting. Bulimics similarly frequently use diet pills, laxatives, and diuretics to reduce their weight. The purging may serve two purposes preventing weight gain and also temporarily relieving depression and other negative feelings ("Bulimia," 1)." These eating disorders are a major issue in society today due to societys stereotypical view of women and young teenage girls, in, but many cases men are affected too.First, an eating disorder is an illness that affects several of the United States universe because society has driven many people to be self-conscience about their appearance. For example, eight million people in the United States misplace from eating disorders ("The Secret actors line of Eating Disorders," 1). Furthermore, 3% of all young women suffer from anorexia and 3-4% suffer from bulimia ("The Secret Language of Eating Disorders," 1). This proves that many women and teenage girls are affected because many are afraid of becoming fat and "unacceptable" to societys view on women in general. In addition, 1% of boys and young men suffer from eating disorders, and their cases are becoming more common ("The Secret Language of Eating Disorders," 1). Also, it is a disorder that crosses racial and economical lines, those who succumb to compulsive sharp-set or binge eating are males (Lang, 1). This shows that todays society has also affected mens stereo-typical view o f their appearance and weight. Thus, eating disorders not only affect women, they also affect men, in which we are seeing more cases of every day.Second, victims of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia have many warning signs which help people notice the signs of these eating disorders. For instance, anorexia nervosa has the following symptoms significant weight loss, excessive dieting and exercising, and constipation ("Anorexia Nervosa", 2). Also, bulimia nervosa has the following symptoms makes excuses to go to the whoremaster after meals, and eats large amounts of food on the spur of the moment ("Bulimia Nervosa", 2).