From TeenHealthCentre.com

Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders
By Teen Health Centre
Oct 28, 2004, 19:03

There are two types of eating disorders:

ANOREXIA NERVOSA 
A person who is anorexic would show these symptoms:

  • A disturbed way of looking at body shape.

  • An intense fear of gaining weight

  • Have a low body weight

  • Loss of their period

BULIMIA NERVOSA
A person who is bulimic would show these symptoms:

  • Use of vomiting to control weight

  • Recurrent binge eating

  • Use of exercise to control weight

Some startling facts about eating disorders:

  • It’s the third most chronic illness among females.

  • Peak age of starting an eating disorder is 14 – 18 years old.

  • It may cause complications including osteoporosis (thin bones), brain decreasing in size, dental problems, bleeding from esophagus or stomach, hair loss, sleep problems, constipation, mood changes, including irritability and even DEATH.

  • An eating disorder can start out innocently with “cutting back” on junk food, or starting a “no meat” diet, etc.

WARNING SIGNS THAT YOU OR A FRIEND MAY HAVE AN EATING DISORDER:

  • Being overly concerned with weight and shape (especially thinking you are fat when quite thin)

  • Obsessed with food, fat and counting calories.

  • Eating mainly diet foods.

  • Skipping meals.

  • Moody or irritable more than usual.

  • Depressed.

  • Guilt or shame when eating.

  • Socially withdrawn – not wasting to be with friends.

  • Any purging or vomiting.

  • Excessive exercising.

  • Bingeing on large amounts of food in secret.

  • Noticeable loss or gain of weight.

  • Irregular or loss of periods.

If you or a friend are showing any of the above warning signs or you think you have a problem, GET HELP! You can call the Teen Health Centre at 253-8481 or BANA (Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association) 969-2112.

For help with eating disorders contact 
the Teen Health Centre at (519) 253-8481
and ask to speak to a counsellor


© Copyright 2004 by CyberSync.com