Anorexia and Bulimia in America - Report Example

Topic Anorexia and Bulimia Introduction In America eating disorder as Anorexia and Bulimia has grown much due to their obsession to appearance. Theout of control affliction of Americans to looks have made a profound impact on the health of the teenagers in the country. As per (Alvarez)“According to one study, 50 percent of teenage girls always skip breakfast and do not know proper eating habits. Fifteen percent would consider taking laxatives or making themselves sick to keep their weight down”. Anorexia and bulimia are two dangerous eating disorders which has deteriorated the health and future of young generation. As this disease is directly connected to the eating habits of teenagers, the effect it can have on their health is significant. It is girls who are more affected by bulimia and anorexia than boys as they are more beauty conscious. Discussing about these two disorders, bulimia is an eating disorder which recurrently provokes binge eating and vomiting. These teenagers can also resort to laxatives to keep their weight down and they remain sick throughout due to this abnormal eating and purging habit. Bulimia is more evident in late teenage years and the person under its influence is of average weight unless accompanied by anorexia. As far as anorexia is concerned, it is an illness where a person regulated food to such an extend where the consumption decreases well beyond normal bodily requirements. Anorexia can seriously bring in multiple health ailments that can hamper the normal functioning of body and can considerably thin a person’s body. Bulimia and its dimension as an eating disorder Bulimia is an eating disorder which is contemplated as a psychological disorder. It is a disorder which malnourish the body greatly and can impair mental and physical wellbeing of a person. As Bulimia involves binge eating proceeded by vomiting and there is loss of electrolytes from body along with nutrients and fluids. When the body is malnourished then the immunity decreases which can lead to many viral infections. Apart from this, continuous vomiting can destroy the normal functioning ability of heart, kidney and liver. It is difficult to recognize the signs and symptoms of bulimia as the patients more often maintain normal weight. Bulimia is due to multiple reasons and an exact one cannot be traced to its origin. (Vorwick,2013)“The exact cause of bulimia is unknown. Genetic, psychological, trauma, family, society, or cultural factors may play a role. Bulimia is likely due to more than one factor”. In the same way, the symptoms of Bulimia can be understood only if it is closely monitored. There are various hidden signs associated with Bulimia and some of it is excessive exercise, sudden over consumption of food, regular visit to washroom, and possession of laxatives. Physical symptoms are dry mouth, gum infection, enamel deterioration. Bulimics is to be relieved from their illness solely through right professional counseling and extreme family support. Anorexia and its complexities Anorexia also known as anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder which has similar health impacts like bulimia. As per (Eckhardt,2010,pg.127-28) “Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychiatric disease characterized by refusal of food, marked weight loss, and disturbance in body image (1). It is a relatively common condition with a lifetime prevalence of 2.2% in women and may occur in 1% of adolescent girls and up to 4% of college-age young women”. The age range of people having anorexia is decreasing and is spanning between 10 and 20 years. Anorexia is a psychiatric illness like bulimia and can cause micro nutrient deficiencies in body. In women it can cause menstruation problems and serious weight fluctuation issues. Women with body image issue normally fall into this illness. Anorexia can lead to many life threatening health complications to death, if the patient is ignored for a longer period. Cardiac abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, dizziness are also after effects of it.. Starvation can also cause hypothermia, bradycardia, peripheralcynosia and growth retardation. Here the body mass index of a person is low and the patient thinks they are fat even when they are considerably thin. People with this illness have an abnormal fear of weight gain and can restrict food without thinking of its negative consequences. The exact reason behind anorexia is not known, even though many factors is related to it. Genetics is a reason but hormones and social attitude also play a role in on setting anorexia. A child with anxiety, negative body image, eating problems are highly in risk for being anorexic. Prevention of Bulimia and Anorexia Bulimia and Anorexia are not normal illness as we think as it has created lot of adversities among young population all around the world. It affects teenager due to their fashion consciousness and beauty misconceptions, attention need is to be taken to educate and alert them on its consequences. Bulimia and anorexia is more of a psychological disorder and can be eradicated only if the teenagers are closely monitored by family, friends and teachers. Mostly teenagers is influenced by media and fashion industry to follow a certain pattern of body image .Slim toned body or skinny models are the iconic want of girls in young age and this tempt them to cut their waist line through extreme weight loss tactics. In the book(Sonenklar 7) “ Anorexia and bulimia are serious disorders that need medical and psychological treatment”. Prevention of these illnesses should start from a young age as children get provoked by social media, friends and culture during this period. Parents have the immediate responsibility to advice and educate children about importance of good health and healthy eating habits. Parents should make sure that they appreciate the child about their appearance and in no way should degrade them for their looks or achievements. Self-esteem is a big issue, when it comes to such psychological illnesses as depression and low self –esteem can trigger eating disorders. Parents also need to scrutinize any change in eating pattern or routines of young girls and look for abnormal physical or mental abnormalities in them. The school authorities also need to launch educational programs which educates about disadvantage of bulimia and anorexia which can help students in understanding and avoiding them. Conclusion Bulimia and Anorexia is not seen among all teenagers but still it is affecting a certain percentage of American population. Teenagers are foundation of a nation and their health and education contribute to the welfare of the society. Bulimia and anorexia is an illness which affect psychological and physiological of a person and is a serious health problem. The teenagers of today are self-conscious due to the fashion image imposing by media and fashion experts. Today’s children have no real idea or concept about a right image of beauty as they think feminine beauty is what projected by profit- making fashion industry. As per (Finnigan)“Giles Deacon, the creative director of Emanuel Ungaro, the Parisian fashion house, said women were being asked to aspire to a completely unrealistic ideal of beauty” Anorexia and Bulimia may not look as a serious disorder, but it’s after affects are not repairable. Many a times, these disorders can completely destroy the personality and even life of a person. A youngster who is a victim of these disorders, if not taken care at first stage can take longer time to revert back. For the very same reason, it would be advisable to the Government of United States to on the fashion industry regarding their feminine beauty image. Government also needs to take initiative to promote programs which educate the public about such disorders which are silent killers. References Alvarez, Manny. "Eating Disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia & Adolescence." www.foxnews.com. Fox, 9 Dec. 2007. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. . Eckhrdt, Sarah M. "Linear Growth in Anorexia Nervosa." Journal of Pediatric Gastroe nterology 51 (2010): 127-28. Print. Finnigan, Kate. Fashion industry has forced unrealistic image on women, says leading designer . The Telegraph, 2011. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. . Sonenklar, Caron. Anorexia and Bulimia. Minneapois: USA Today, 2011. 7. Print. Vorwick, Linda J. "Bulimia." www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. PubMed Health, 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. . Read More