Expert: Leigh-Anne Persing, PA-C - 12/1/2006

Question
Helo, my name is Robyn and I am in 8th grade. I am doing a project on eating disorders and would appreciate it so much if you would answer my questions.

1) What is the most common eating disorders?

2)What are other eating disorders besides anorexia, bulimia, binge- eating, and obesity?

3)What are the most common reasons for having a eating disorder?

4) What is the ration or percent of people with a eating disorder?

5) Why are eating disorders so common?

Thank you for your time,
Robyn  

Answer
1. Most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.

2. There are sub-types to the above eating disorders such as anorexia: purging type or non-purging type. Bulimarexia, orthorexia are also soem terms used to identify eating disorders.

3. Eating disorders can be caused by a variety of factors including media, family dynamics, peer-pressure.

4. Percent is constantly changing and has gone up in the past several years. Bulimia tends to be more common, especially so in men. Many times are seen in those who are athletic or are participating in a sport or activity that demands a light or asthetic body (running, wrestling, ballet, gymnastics, swimming, etc.)

5. Eating disorders are becoming a more common occurence with the demand to be thin and have a "perfect" body and the need for control in one's life. Media portrays an image of a woman that demands thinness for attention and respect. Too much emphasis is being put on this. Eating disorders are largely about the need for control in an individuals life. They can't control the world or happenings around them, so they try to control their weight and what they eat. It often times starts off with a harmless diet and ends in a downward spiral. The person eventually loses that control that they desired so much as the eating disorder takes control.

Hope this helps some.