• Share

PRINT

Have you ever glanced into a mirror, given yourself a once-over, and thought, “I hate the way my body looks?” Imagine feeling this way every day of your life.

Whether it’s anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating, an eating disorder can have a profound and dangerous impact on one’s health. In fact, an estimated 10 million men and 20 million women in the United States experience a “clinically significant” eating disorder in their lives, according to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).

The most common forms of eating disorders, as mentioned above, include:
— anorexia nervosa, a disorder in which one has a fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of one’s appearance,
— bulimia nervosa, a disorder in which people consume a sizable meal only to purge it from their system in unhealthy ways, and
— binge-eating disorder, where affected individuals have a compulsion to eat unusually large quantities of food.

People may contract these disorders as a result of a combination of factors, which can include: societal standards and the emphasis of the media on having the “perfect body;” feelings of low self-esteem or loneliness, depression or anxiety; and desire for a coping mechanism or something that can provide one with a feeling of control.

Regardless of the reason, eating disorders are exceptionally harmful. Anorexia and bulimia can cause an extreme loss of weight, kidney problems, bone loss, and heart failure. Binge-eating can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and some variations of cancer.

In teens, some red flags potentially indicative of eating disorders include skipping meals, making excuses to avoid eating, an obsession over dieting and exercise, persistent complaining about being overweight, abusing laxatives and other drugs after eating, eating massive amounts of food in one sitting, or frequenting the restroom immediately after meals.

However, although these conditions are commonly associated with youth, their reach actually extends much farther than those between 15 and 30. While often unfocused on, older adults are just as susceptible to contracting an eating disorder as teens and young adults, and, in some ways, these conditions can become even more life-threatening for those of the older generation.

The primary issue is that many of the characteristic symptoms of eating disorders (e.g., changes in behavior such as using the bathroom after eating a meal, sensitivity to cold, loss of hair, gastrointestinal, heart, or dental problems, desire to eat alone rather than with friends, etc.) are akin to those commonly linked to the aging process.

Older adults may have a hindered ability to maintain an adequate diet due to functional problems, and may require medication that causes nausea, allowing these tell-tale signs to slip by undetected.

Professor Cynthia Bulik, the founding director of the University of North Carolina Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders, expanded on this notion in an article for Medical News Today:

“We have seen cases of laxative abuse in assisted care facilities, where they often hand laxatives out like candy, but the patients clearly had eating disorders and were using laxatives to purge. We have seen cases of anorexia motivated by beliefs that caloric restriction will extend life.”

In fact, adopting an eating disorder can lead to the exact opposite effect. With less resilient body systems due to age, a lack of proper nutrition can abrade these systems at an alarming rate.

If you or a loved one are being influenced by an eating disorder, it is imperative to seek treatment immediately. Secure a medical checkup and talk to a doctor about how best to address the situation.

Treatment commonly consists of therapy and medication if accompanying symptoms such as depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder are present.

Readers who have followed my earlier advice to find teenage friends to talk with might want to discuss with them the effects of eating disorders on the body, mind and soul.

Together you can discuss the importance of possessing a healthy body image, and consider the somewhat misleading messages media often send regarding body type acceptability.

Talk together about healthy eating habits, and perhaps even compose a “healthy meals plan” to brainstorm nutritious and delicious meal options.

Finally, remember that you are beautiful, regardless of your body type and regardless of your age. Never feel pressured to transform yourself into something you are not.

Alexis Bentz is an 11th grade student at Thomas Wootton High School in Rockville, Md.