Show Eating Disorders Can Be Life Threatening to Women The r Human SIdeBy SUe SIde h By Connie King y PA C Health Center Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention is a national nonprofit nonprofit nonprofit non non- profit organization dedicated to the primary primary primary mary and secondary prevention of eating eating eating eat eat- ing disorders This week the is sponsoring an annual Eating Disorders Awareness Week During this week eating disorders organizations mental health professionals professionals professionals and the media join together to educate and dramatize the goals and objectives of Eating disorders affect some half- half million people at any given time Approximately 95 percent of those with eating disorders are young women between the ages of 12 and 25 There is however growing incidence of eating disorders in males The broad definition of eating disorders disorders disorders dis dis- dis- dis orders includes compulsive overeating anorexia and bulimia All An are serious emotional problems that can have life- life threatening consequences It is felt that feelings of inadequacy and loss of self esteem may contribute to the development of an eating disorder der Additionally our culture sizes a thin physique that for many who are not necessarily overweight is unattainable Anorexia is primarily characterized by self starvation self starvation and excessive weight loss People with anorexia dont don't maintain a normal weight because they refuse to eat enough often exercise obsessively and sometimes sometimes sometimes some some- times use laxatives or force themselves to vomit So that an anorexic may also be bulimic Bulimia is characterized by secretive secretive secretive secre secre- tive binge bulge eating followed by induced vomiting called purging Thousands of calories can be consumed rather rapidly foIl followed owed by induced vomiting laxatives or using a diuretic Persons with bulimia often maintain a normal weight and family members and friends dont don't know about the problem With compulsive overeating there may be impulsive gorging or just continuous continuous continuous con con- eating There may be sporadic fasts or repetitive dieting The psychological basis of eating disorders directly affect physical well- well being Many people can overcome their eating disorder with treatment ina in ina ina a doctors doctor's office or clinic Some however however however how how- ever need to be hospitalized If you are interested in additional information on eating disorders stop by one of the Health Centers for the pamphlet The counselor is available for appointments at Redwood Health Center Stop by or call for an appointment Help is available and always confidential Wasatch Canyons Hospital has anong an ong ongoing ing six week series of classes on eating disorders Information may be re obtained by calling them at |