Disordered eating is a tragic condition that can be fatal. Among other health effects, severely restricting calories, binge eating and purging or simply eating an extreme amount of calories can damage your internal organs; prevent you from engaging in regular daily activities; damage teeth and bones; and cause heart attack, depressed breathing, brittle bones, an inability to concentrate and hair loss. Eating disorders are treatable so if you are afraid you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, contact a friend or relative you trust or your physician.
Calorie Restriction
People who suffer from anorexia nervosa may severely restrict their caloric intake. Some days, sufferers of this disease eat nothing at all. Other days, they severely restrict their caloric intake so that it is way below the recommended healthy amount, which is 1,200 daily calories for women and 1,500 for men, according to MedlinePlus, a website from the U.S. Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. The amount of calories anorexics eat varies, depending upon the individual, but their preoccupation with calorie counting and restricting is a common symptom.
Binge Eating and Purging
Bulimia nervosa and some forms of anorexia are characterized by consuming a large amount of calories in a very short period of time, followed by purging through vomiting, exercise, laxatives or other measures. Often, a binge consists of eating 3,000 to 5,000 calories within an hour or less, notes the health information website Helpguide.org. Someone who is affected by bulimia nervosa may exercise obsessively in order to burn the excess calories consumed during a binge.
Compulsive Overeating
Compulsive overeating is a binge eating disorder that is not often followed up with purging. Similar to people who suffer from bulimia, someone who has compulsive overeating eats 3,000 to 5,000 calories per binge. Often, this disorder is accompanied by a feeling of being out of control, causing the sufferer to eat excessive calories over and over throughout the day. Compulsive overeaters may not be as easy to spot because they may not necessarily lose weight and may, in fact, be overweight, and their eating is usually done in secret.
Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Sometimes it is hard to know if someone has an eating disorder based on her physique. Weight loss is not necessarily a symptom, especially with bulimia and compulsive overeating. However, there are some signs. You may notice a friend or loved one constantly counting calories or exercising excessively. She may take laxatives or other weight-loss medications. Your friend may be concerned with her weight and body and even lie about eating. If she is purging, you may notice her going to the restroom frequently after meals or see scars on her knuckles from throwing up. She may faint or feel dizzy. Offer her your support, and for more information, go to NationalEatingDisorders.org.
References
- Helpguide.org: Anorexia Nervosa
- Helpguide.org: Bulimia Nervosa
- TeensHealth from Nemours: Binge Eating Disorder
- Montana State University: Eating Disorders
- MayoClinic.com; Eating Disorders; Mayo Clinic Staff; January 2010
- FamilyDoctor.org; Eating Disorders: Facts for Teens; American Academy of Family Physicians; February 2010
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