Eating Disorders I : Anorexia

By Live Health Africa 

The pressure to conform to societal standards and myths of beauty is driving many young girls and boys to the brink of death. Eating disorders are growing common and the result is its victims die young after years of their body enduring poor nutrition and organ shut-down.

 England’s National Health Service (NHS) describes an eating disorder as a condition characterised by an abnormal attitude towards food that causes someone to change their eating habits and behaviour. 

The US National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) states that eating disorders are complex illnesses that can be life-threatening.

“A person with an eating disorder may focus excessively on their weight and shape, leading them to make unhealthy choices about food with damaging results to their health,” says the NHS. 

The most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia and Binge Eating. Today Live Health Africa will delve deeper into Anorexia and looks at symptoms, effects and possible treatment.

Anorexia 101
Anorexia is a condition that makes someone try to keep their weight as low as possible, for example by starving themselves or exercising excessively. 

“Around one in 250 women and one in 2,000 men will experience anorexia nervosa at some point. The condition usually develops around the age of 16 or 17,” says the NHS.

This ailment may be caused by a varied of reasons including the social pressure on young people and women to be thin and other biological factors. For instance one my become anorexic after facing constant criticism  or abuse because of their weight; if they feel pressure to be slim to succeed in a career as a  dancer, models or athlete; having low self-esteem or being a perfectionist and stress caused by work or family strain.

Anorexia can be diagnosed by a doctor using the SCOFF which involves five questions:

• Sick: Do you ever make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
• Control: Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?
• One stone: Have you recently lost more than one stone (six kilograms) in a three-month period?
• Fat: Do you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin?
• Food: Would you say that food dominates your life?

Warning signs to look out for include in people who may be suffering from anorexia include missing meals, a person complaining of being fat even though they have a normal weight, someone repeatedly weighing themselves and someone refusing to eat in public places, such as a restaurant.

If one suffers from anorexia over a long period of time their body will be deprived of vital nutrients and eventually their organs will shut-down causing death. Hence, it is critical to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Treatment may involve seeing a therapist or other healthcare professional, joining a self-help group, seeking dietary counseling and use of antidepressant. If you are suffering from Anorexia please seek help from your nearest health practitioner.