Eating Disorders Part 1 - Anorexia Nervosa

Reaching Out Against Eating Disorders (ROAED) is a wonderful orgainzation dedicated to helping individuals with eating disorders.  They have defined Anorexia Nervosa (AN) as:
Anorexia Nervosa


"...a disorder in which individuals exhibit significant weight loss and extreme restrictions in their food intake.
While it has been estimated that up to 90%1 of those suffering from this disorder are women and girls, the prevalence rate of eating disorders among men is on the rise."
"The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) lists the following criteria for diagnosis of anorexia nervosa:
• Refusal to maintain what is considered a normal body weight for that person’s age and height
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Distorted view or denial of their actual body weight and/or shape
• Loss of menstrual cycle

Anorexia nervosa is specified into two types:
1. Restricted Type:
• This type of anorexia is categorized as a severe restriction of food intake with the absence of binge-eating or purging.

2. Binge-Eating/Purging Type:
• This type of anorexia is categorized as engaging in binge eating or purging behavior while exhibiting behaviors classified as anorexia. Purging is characterized as a way to eliminate food from your body either through self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or through laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.

In addition to the diagnostic criteria, the following are considered warning signs, or possible precursors, of anorexia nervosa:
• Restricting certain types of food and the amount of food intake
• Preoccupation with weight, body shape, and calorie and fat content of food
• Dramatic weight loss
• Excessive exercise
• Distress over body weight and shape
• Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, and from family and friends"

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If the above description sounds like you or someone you know, log onto the website listed below and read a bit more about AN.  Give the ROAED people a call and have a chat with them.  AN is the leading cause of death with respect to mental health conditions and it affects men, women and children.
courtesy:  http://www.roaed.org/index.php?nav=4&subnav=7