An eating disorder is defined as an illness or condition that is characterised by abnormal, disrupted or extreme eating habits, often accompanied by severe distress or concern relating to body weight or shape. These eating habits cause damage to the sufferer’s physical, mental and emotional health.

While they most often begin during the teen years or in early adulthood, eating disorders can develop during any stage of life. While they are more common in girls and women, they do affect men and boys as well.

Common Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

This is characterised by an obsessive fear of gaining weight, and the refusal to eat enough to maintain a healthy body weight. Those with anorexia nervosa severely restrict the quantity of food they eat and often have a distorted body image, seeing themselves as overweight even when they are dangerously underweight.

Bulimia Nervosa

This disorder involves a repeated cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours like purging, fasting or excessive exercise. This cycle often occurs in secret, which causes feelings of guilt and shame.

Binge Eating Disorder

This is characterised by frequent loss of control over food, and excessive eating or bingeing, without the compensatory behaviours of bulimia. This often leads to weight gain and increased risk of heart disease, as well as feelings of guilt and distress about the bingeing.

These are just a few of the most prevalent eating disorders affecting people today. There is a wide spectrum of eating disorders, and not all of them can be so easily defined or categorised.

What Causes Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders can be triggered by a variety of physical and/or emotional factors, including:

  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Irregular hormonal functions
  • Negative body image
  • Low self-esteem
  • Childhood abuse or trauma
  • Peer pressure

Prevention, Treatment and Care

Children and teens are typically very self-conscious and concerned about their physical appearance, especially once they start experiencing the dramatic physical changes and new social pressures that come with puberty. This can lead to self-critical and negative thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, which can become obsessive and lead to disordered eating behaviour.

Parents can help to prevent this by nurturing their children’s self-esteem, talking openly and honestly with them, and encouraging healthy attitudes about nutrition and appearance.

Eating disorders are serious problems that require professional treatment by doctors, therapists and dieticians. If you are worried that one of your loved ones may be suffering from an eating disorder, don’t ignore it. It’s important to seek proper medical care. Eating disorders can be treated when diagnosed, but they can also be extremely dangerous when left untreated.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about preventing, recognising or recovering from eating disorders.

 

Sources:

Eating Disorder Hope: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com

Eating Disorders South Africa: https://www.edsa.co.za/