Different

Types of
Eating
Disorders
The two most common
eating disorders are
anorexia nervosa and
bulimia nervosa.
Anorexia nervosa
Those who have anorexia
nervosa see themselves as
being overweight when in
reality they are
underweight. People
suffering from this
disorder weigh themselves
repeatedly, controls
portions of food strictly,
and eat very little or only
eat certain things. Severe
complications from
anorexia nervosa include
osteoporosis, heart
damage, multi-organ
failure, and even death.
Bulimia nervosa
This disorder is
categorized by eating
unusually large amounts
of food, then feeling
ashamed of themselves
and their bodies, and using
laxatives or forcing
themselves to vomit to rid
themselves of that large
amount of food. Severe
complications include
chronically inflamed
throat, chronic acid reflux
and other gastrointestinal
problems, severe
dehydration, and
electrolyte imbalance
which can cause a heart
attack or stroke.

What are
eating
disorders?
Eating disorders are
defined by extreme
attitudes and behaviors
involving food and
body weight. These
behaviors may start as
eating smaller portions
and may progress to
extreme disordered
eating, including not
eating at all. Eating
disorders are serious
problems that affect the
individual not only
physically but
psychologically, as
well. A common
misconception about
eating disorders is that
only females suffer
from these illnesses.
Men can also develop
eating disorders and
can deal with the same
life-threatening
consequences as
women. Eating
disorders usually
develop among
teenagers but can
appear during
childhood or later on in
an adults life.

The Dangers of
Eating
Disorders

An explanation of these
serious diseases,
common eating
disorders, statistics,
treatment, and what to
do if you or someone
you know is suffering.

What can we
do?

Treating Eating
Disorders

If you or someone close to

Treatment for these disorders

you is suffering from an

is not only possible but

eating disorder, please call

extremely important.

the National Eating

Treatment should be tailored

Disorders Association

to the individual in order to

confidential help line at 1-

meet their needs. The most

800-931-2237

common and effective

Eating Disorder
Statistics

5-15% of people
with anorexia
nervosa and bulimia
nervosa are male

25% of college-aged
women engage in
binging and purging
to manage their
weight

The mortality rate

associated with
anorexia nervosa is
12 times higher than
the death rate
associated with all
causes of death for
females between the
ages of 15 and 24
years old.

Over 50% of teenage

girls and over 33%
of teenage boys
admitted to skipping
meals, fasting,
vomiting, and taking
laxatives

treatment include a
For those who are struggling,
its important to remember
that the behaviors you are
partaking in now are
damaging your body forever.
It is crucial that you get help
as soon as possible.

combination of
psychotherapy or group
therapy and special attention
to nutritional and medical
needs of the patient. Some
antidepressants, such as
Zoloft, have also been proved
to assist in treatment.

"This is a call to arms. A call

to be gentle, to be forgiving,
to be generous with
yourself.- Oprah Winfrey