| As we were all teenagers at one time, that is if | | | | report eating disorders among men is increasing, it |
| you are twenty years of age or older today, you | | | | seems to be most common with athletes who |
| know that the teenage years are full problems, | | | | want to and/or feel pressure to compete as they |
| peer pressure, stress and the desire to fit in. It is | | | | are vulnerable to developing a disorder. |
| not surprising then, with all of the peer pressure | | | | 3. These disorders can emerge during periods of |
| and images from the media, as well as the strong | | | | stress and change. Doctors don't yet fully |
| desire to fit in, that eating disorders are most | | | | understand why eating disorders are present in |
| common among teenagers. | | | | some individuals, and not others. But they do |
| 1. Eating disorders are known to be the result of | | | | have an understanding about the circumstances |
| a poor self image and/or an unhealthy relationship | | | | that may make some people more vulnerable to |
| to food. Most people think of eating disorders as | | | | developing an eating disorder. |
| something that affects girls and young women | | | | Studies have shown that individuals who are |
| who are dieting. The truth is that these disorders | | | | experiencing stress, depression, or who have |
| have to do with our relationship to food and | | | | recently experienced some kind of major life |
| issues related to body image and self-esteem, | | | | change are much more vulnerable to developing |
| and not just our desire to to loss some weight. | | | | the symptoms of an eating disorder. |
| While most people only think anorexia and bulimia | | | | 4. Eating disorders can cause a variety of serious |
| when it comes to eating disorders, there are less | | | | health problems. Many teenagers who become |
| well-known eating disorders as well, nocturnal | | | | preoccupied with food, body image, and exercise |
| eating, pica and binge eating are also characterized | | | | do not understand the health risks posed by their |
| by an unhealthy relationship to food and eating. In | | | | actions. |
| fact, all eating disorders have one common | | | | These health problems include heart problems, |
| denominator: an ongoing and unhealthy relationship | | | | stomach problems, irregular menstrual periods, |
| with food that becomes a disruption in a person's | | | | kidney problems, dental problems, hormonal |
| life. | | | | disturbance, dehydration and dry skin, to name |
| 2. Eating disorders generally affect young women, | | | | just a few. Intervention and hospitalization may |
| although they can affect just about anyone, | | | | become necessary in more severe cases. |
| middle aged women and even men. It is | | | | 5. All of these can be treated successfully. Now |
| estimated that more than 8 million people in the | | | | more than ever there is a better understanding |
| United States are affected with some kind of | | | | of eating disorders, and many treatment options |
| eating disorder. While those with disorders come | | | | and resources are available for teenagers and |
| from all social and ethnic backgrounds, studies | | | | their families whose lives have been touched by |
| have suggested that young affluent white women | | | | an eating disorder. |
| are more susceptible to developing an eating | | | | Treatment consists of various therapies, including |
| disorder. | | | | nutritional therapy, psychotherapy, and family and |
| Most disorders first become evident during | | | | individual counseling. Sometimes prescription drugs |
| adolescence and can develop in young children and | | | | are used to treat underlying problems. For |
| pre-teens. When it come to men and doctors | | | | instance, antidepressants may be prescribed. |