Causes for Eating Disorders - Research Paper Example

Eating Disorders. At a time when many young girls aspire to an unrealistic slimness, which is held up to be the ideal of feminine beauty, the discussion of eating disorders is particularly relevant. Eating disorders are abnormal eating habits. They involve extreme attitudes towards weight loss and food issues. Unlike in the past, when eating disorders were considered to be largely the psychological concerns of teenage girls, it is now acknowledged that they are serious medical problems which affect physical and mental health, and can even be life-threatening. The National Institute of Mental Health categorically states that “Eating disorders are real, treatable medical illnesses” (NIMH website. 2011). Eating disorders most often develop during adolescence and young adulthood, although children and older adults may also suffer from them in some cases. Both men and women may be affected, but it is girls and women who are the primary victims. It is often difficult to diagnose eating disorders, as the sufferers are acutely conscious of their abnormal behavior and attempt to conceal the problem from family and friends. There is a tendency to “withdraw from social contact and deny that their eating patterns are problematic” (American Psychological Association website. 2012). Eating disorders arise from a combination of causes. The three major types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and EDNOS (eating disorders not otherwise specified), which includes binge-eating disorder. (NIMH website. 2011). There is no single cause for eating disorders, which occur due to a variety of contributing factors. The fundamental cause is an acute concern about body shape and weight. Negative family influences, genetic factors, cultural pressures and hormonal abnormalities are the main causes of eating disorders. Parental Behavior and Attitude, including criticism of weight and appearance, may lead to eating disorders. A family history of maternal eating disorders, substance abuse and emotional disorders, sexual abuse and obesity, are other contributing family influences. The genetic factors involved in eating disorders involve specific chromosomes (chromosome 10 is connected to bulimia and obesity), chemicals (serotonin is concerned with appetite and well-being) and proteins (BDNF, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor, is linked with susceptibility to eating disorders). The cultural pressures that cause eating disorders are founded on the conflicting influences of food abundance, which causes obesity, and the social and cultural ideal of extreme slimness as the foundation of beauty and sexual attractiveness. There is a conflict between the media advertisement for easily available consumer foods and the advertisement of weight-reduction programs and designer clothes, featuring extremely thin models. Hormonal abnormalities play a part in susceptibility to eating disorders. The limbic system of the brain, called the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA), release hormones and neurotransmitters which are concerned with hunger metabolism and the emotional activities involved in eating disorders. In addition to these causes, certain risk factors are associated with eating disorders: age (adolescents and young adults), gender (young girls and women), socioeconomic factors (developed countries), personality and emotional disorders, being overweight and excessive exercising. (University of Maryland Medical Center website. 2009). Anorexia nervosa is characterized by a pattern of self-starving and extreme weight loss. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the symptoms of anorexia include emaciation, intense fear of weight gain, extreme pursuit of weight loss, distorted body image, refusal to maintain a healthy body weight, loss of menstrual periods, and a self-esteem which is dependent on perceptions of body weight and shape. This distorted body image makes people with anorexia perceive themselves to be fat, even when they are dangerously thin. The other characteristics of anorexia are obsessions with weight control and food, repeated weighing of the body, compulsive exercising, unusual eating habits (eating in solitude, eating very small portions of selective foods), self-induced vomiting, and the use of diet pills, enemas, diuretics and laxatives on a routine basis. Anorexia nervosa has critical repercussions on several parts of the body: Thinning of the bones, brittle hair and nails, dry and yellowish skin which bruises easily, fine hair growth all over the body, anemia, weak muscles and swollen joints, bloating and constipation, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, palpitations, heart failure, kidney stones and kidney failure, brain damage, confused and slow thinking, hypothermia, chronic lethargy, and reproductive problems (infertility, high chances of miscarriage and post-partum depression). (NIMH website. 2011). Hypersensitivity to the cold often causes anorexic women to wear several layer of clothing in an attempt to keep warm and camouflage their extreme thinness. In addition to the above physical symptoms, sufferers of anorexia exhibit psychological effects, such as anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and suicidal tendencies. (University of Maryland Medical Center website. 2009). Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge-eating, followed by purging. Recurring episodes of excessive food consumption are succeeded by compensating behavior, “such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, excessive exercise, or a combination of these behaviors” (NIMH website. 2011). While people suffering from bulimia usually maintain a normal weight and appearance, they are obsessed with weight loss and are dissatisfied with their body shape and weight. The affected person is conscious of the abnormality of his eating pattern, and often attempts to conceal this behavior. Bulimia is accompanied by negative emotions, such as guilt and shame. The cycle of binge-eating and purging can occur as often as several times a day. The NIMH lists the symptoms of bulimia to be chronically inflamed sore throat, swollen salivary glands in the neck and jaw area, worn tooth enamel and decaying and sensitive teeth (due to exposure to stomach acids), acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal problems, intestinal irritation (caused by laxative abuse), severe dehydration due to purging of fluids, electrolyte imbalance which can lead to a heart attack. (NIMH website. 2011). Other adverse effects of bulimia include water retention, swelling and abdominal bloating, irregular periods, rupture of the esophagus, and weak rectal walls. Bulimia is also often accompanied by self-destructive behavior, such as substance abuse, and dangerous impulsive behavior, including sexual promiscuity, self-cutting and kleptomania (University of Maryland website. 2009). As bulimia is accompanied by secrecy, the symptoms are often difficult to spot. The characteristics of bulimia are evidence of the use of laxatives, diuretics and diet pills (discarded packaging), routine visits to the bathroom after meals, compulsive exercising, ruptured blood capillaries in the eyes (caused by the strain of vomiting), pouch-like appearance at the mouth corners (due to the swollen salivary glands), dry mouth, teeth, gum and enamel problems, rashes and pimples, and small cuts and calluses on tips of fingers (caused by self-induced vomiting). (University of Maryland website. 2009). Binge-eating disorder is characterized by uncontrolled eating. As binge-eaters do not indulge in purging, they tend to be obese. This obesity increases their chances of developing cardio-vascular diseases and high blood pressure. Feelings of guilt and shame are experienced. It is evident that eating disorders are very real and serious medical problems which require adequate treatment. Lack of treatment can have critical consequences: research shows that people with anorexia have a mortality rate eighteen times higher than their normal peers. Likewise, individuals with eating disorders suffer from higher rates of mental disorders. (American Psychological Association website. 2012). Due to the multi-faceted aspects of eating disorders, treatment requires the combined effort of medical specialists, dieticians, cognitive-behavioral therapists and nurses. Treatment is based on the inculcation of healthy eating habits, development of self-esteem control over eating patterns, treatment of the associated physical complications and psychological disorders, family counseling and prevention of relapses. (University of Maryland website. 2009). The restoration of normal weight for anorexic patients and the stopping of purging in bulimia are primary goals. One of the most difficult aspects of treatment is overcoming the distorted body image of individuals with eating disorders. The cooperation of family and friends is essential for successful treatment, as they can serve as necessary support groups. Unrealistic expectations of instant cures can hamper treatment. An approach which combines psychotherapies, medications and nutritional rehabilitation is best suited to the treatment of eating disorders. The outcome of treatment for eating disorders varies and has to be tailored to the individual. Bulimia is more responsive to treatment than anorexia. Studies demonstrate that about 70% of people with bulimia and 27-50% of those with anorexia are cured within ten years of treatment. (University of Maryland website. 2009). Eating disorders are widely prevalent, cause serious physical and mental effects and need immediate treatment. Works Cited. American Psychological Association. “Eating Disorders.” 2012. 29 February 2012. National Institute of Mental Health. “Eating Disorders.” 2011. 29 February 2012. University of Maryland Medical Center. “Eating Disorders – Causes.” 2009. 29 February 2012. < file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/USER%20i/Desktop/Eating%20disorders%20-%20Causes.htm> Read More