Eating disorders are mental disorders when consuming food. People with eating disorders may consume too little or too much food, and obsess about their weight or body shape. There are several types of eating disorders, but the three most common in adolescents are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.
Types of Eating Disorders
(Eating Disorder)
There are three most common types of eating disorders known and their symptoms, including:
1. Anorexia
Anorexia (medical term: anorexia nervosa), can be characterized by a person eating less than what is required by the human body. Anorexia can be associated with psychiatric disorders, as the sufferer is obsessed with being thin despite being underweight.
Symptoms of anorexia include drastic weight loss, denying hunger, finding excuses not to eat, or excessive exercise.
2. Bulimia
In contrast to anorexia, bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by the tendency of people to eat in large portions and frequently. As a compensatory measure for fear of weight gain, people with bulimia have the habit of regurgitating what they eat or have the urge to forcefully expel food from the body.
Symptoms of bulimia include the inability of self-control to eat in large portions and frequently, then compensatory behavior by deliberately regurgitating the food consumed, excessive exercise, and frequent trips to the bathroom after eating.
3. Binge Eating Disorder
Similar to bulimia, binge eating disorder is also an eating disorder with an inability to control themselves to eat in large portions and frequently, but people with this eating disorder do not engage in compensatory behaviors to excrete or vomit food consumed.
compensatory behavior to remove or vomit the food that has been consumed.
Symptoms of binge eating disorder are eating faster than normal, eating until they feel very full, eating large amounts of food when they are not physically hungry, hiding while eating because they are embarrassed by the large portions of food, and often feeling depressed afterwards.
Causes of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can result from a combination of factors, including:
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Genetics, some cases of eating disorders are found in people who have certain genes. These genes can make it easier to trigger an eating disorder.
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Hereditary, eating disorders are also commonly experienced by people who have parents or siblings with a history of the same disorder.
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Biological, chemical changes in the brain can contribute to eating disorders.
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Psychological (mental state), eating disorders are often found in people who also have anxiety disorders, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder.
In addition to these causes, a number of conditions that can also increase a person's risk of developing an eating disorder are
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Being a teenager, teenagers are prone to eating disorders because they tend to pay more attention to self-image or appearance.
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Excessive dieting, hunger pangs caused by a diet that is too strict can affect the brain, causing the urge to overeat.
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Stress, various problems that cause stress, whether in work, family, or social relationships, can increase the risk of eating disorders.
Eating Disorder Prevention
There are several ways parents can prevent eating disorders in adolescents, including:
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Preventing Dieting Attempts. Parents can make it a habit to eat together as a family and talk about the importance of a balanced diet with reasonable portions.
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Making time to talk. This can prevent dangerous lifestyles in teenagers. Talking to children can change their thinking so that they can understand a healthy diet.
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Cultivate an image of healthy physical appearance. Parents need to foster self-confidence in their children. In addition, do not mock or demonize your own appearance in front of your children, let alone mock your children's physical appearance, even if it is just a joke.
If you or someone close to you seems to be experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, especially accompanied by a poor body image, consider going to a psychologist. Check out other Fitie articles!
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