Eating Disorder Facts

Get the Facts About Eating Disorders

If you or someone you love is living with an eating disorder, then it's time you got the facts. Eating disorders will not magically go away. In fact, over time they will worsen, and if left untreated, they can prove to be fatal. Call 1-800-542-4610 today and we can help you get the treatment you need to get healthy. Don't put it off, educate yourself with these eating disorder facts, and then call us immediately!

In a perfect world, we would eat exactly what we needed in order to function. For centuries, food was seen as a source of fuel and people would eat what they needed and not much more. But in today's complex society, food has taken on a whole new meaning. Food is a tool that many people use to help them feel better emotionally. Food is used to help people try and forget the psychological pain associated with various types of abuse. Or, food is avoided at all costs by someone trying desperately to fit a certain stereotype.

We have gone from eating for fuel to trying everything to manage our eating habits through diets, exercise and even surgical procedures. From an early age, children are assaulted with visions of what the "perfect" body type is. For some people, all of this confusion can result in an eating disorder.

Facts about Eating Disorders: How Do Eating Disorders Develop?

When someone is suffering from an eating disorder, facts indicate that there is usually an underlying issue that is prompting the behavior. Sometimes it can be as simple as someone wanting to look like their favorite movie star. But, in other cases, it may be an individual suffering in silence, with food as their only source of control. Because of the differences in causes, it is important to get the eating disorder facts before treatment can begin.

For some people, what starts out as a simple diet can develop into a full-blown eating disorder if caution is not used. From overusing diet pills or laxatives as a means to help control weight to compulsive exercising, there is a wide range of behaviors that can fuel the development of eating disorders.

The majority of eating disorder cases develop while the person is in adolescence or young adulthood, but research shows that they can develop even earlier than that.

Facts about Eating Disorders: Health Risks

The two main types of eating disorders -- anorexia and bulimia -- are very progressive diseases that can be fatal if left untreated. They can also result in very serious health complications such as kidney failure and heart conditions. Emotionally, eating disorders can cause a person to suffer from depression, anxiety and other tell-tale signs. An individual's emotional and physical state is at risk when suffering from eating disorders. Facts also indicate that individuals suffering from bulimia or anorexia may be prone to substance abuse or of developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Facts about Eating Disorders: Who is at risk?

Eating disorders, specifically anorexia and bulimia, are more prevalent in females, but over the last few years, the number of men being treated for them has increased. In terms of binge eating disorder, facts indicate that men and women are equally at risk.

The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) reports that over 80% of women are unhappy with their body shapes. This is relevant in the fact that women are more prone to try yo-yo dieting or take unnecessary risks in an effort to improve their body image. Men, on the other hand, are much less concerned with how they look, yet they are prone to binge. The difference is staggering -- of all the reported cases of eating disorders, approximately 90% are females, with the remaining 10% being men. Even still, over one million adult and adolescent males battle eating disorders every day.

Members of the GLBT community are also at high risk for developing eating disorders as self-image plays a large role in their identity. According to NEDA, gay males make up approximately three to five percent of the general population, but in the cases of eating disorders, they are over-represented, accounting for over twice that percentage. Additionally, studies have indicated that conflict over sexual identity and cultural pressures account for approximately 50% of all eating disorders in the gay population.

Facts about Eating Disorders: Are Eating Disorders Treatable?

Eating disorders can be complex, difficult to diagnose and even harder to treat in some cases. But, there are certain eating disorder facts that cannot be dismissed. For instance, eating disorders are treatable. But, like most progressive diseases, the earlier the eating disorder is diagnosed and treatment is initiated, the better the chances of recovery will be.

One of the challenges of treating eating disorders is that in many cases, the individual refuses to accept that they have a problem. They may downplay or totally resist treatment options. In many cases, a strong family support system is necessary for the individual to get the treatment they need.

The first step in diagnosing the eating disorder is for you to be aware of the specific signs or symptoms associated with it. Once you become educated on how the eating disorder is affecting your mind and body, you will be better equipped for accepting the help that you so desperately need.

If you require confidential assistance in locating safe and effective eating disorder treatment or to learn more eating disorder facts, please call us at 1-800-542-4610. Don't delay any longer. GET HELP NOW! All calls are confidential and help is available 24 hours a day.

If you require confidential assistance in locating safe and effective eating disorder treatment, please call the national eating disorder treatment helpline at 1-800-542-4610 GET HELP NOW!