Eating Disorders Are A Serious Health Problem - 1468 Words

Often, the desire to become thin becomes an obsession. People’s obsession over their appearance has led to a growing number of eating disorders. Eating disorders are a serious health problem. Personal Counseling Resources says that eating disorders â€Å"are characterized by a focus on body shape, weight, fat, food, and perfectionism and by feelings of powerlessness and low self-esteem.† Additionally, the media imparts a great deal of thinness on television, the Internet, and magazines that are viewed by millions of people every day leaving these individuals with a strong desire to look like models, actors and actresses. Abuse, whether it be physical, emotional, or sexual, can also contribute to the development of an eating disorder†¦show more content†¦Sometimes, compulsive exercising help shed the pounds but leave the individual unhealthy looking. There is a strong overwhelming fear of putting on weight and anorexics are preoccupied with the way their bodies look. Anorexia may involve the use of laxatives, diet pills, r self-induced vomiting to lose or to keep weight off (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/anorexianervosa.htm). Victims may deny their hunger, chew excessively and choose low calorie food (http://news.bbc.co.ukhi/english/health). Anorexics do all these things to become thin, when reality, it makes their body better at storing fat rather than burning it. Starved bodies ache all the time. The skin bruises, muscles cramp and deteriorate, and the bowels stop working on their own. The mouth dries and the eyes fog and some actually go blind from food deprivation (http://anorexicweb.com). For women, menstruation stops, body hair starts to grow especially on the face and arms, and the hair on the head falls out. Dehydration, osteoporosis, kidney stones and kidney failure are not uncommon among anorexics. An irregular heartbeat develops because of a change in heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure and even death (http://news .bbc.co.uk/hi/English/health). It can also cause osteoporosis. Along with anorexia one might have mental health problems and increased risk of suicide (http://www.meddoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/anorexianervosa.htm). Only one third of anorexic victims fully recover;