Did you know that eating disorders affect millions of men, women and children worldwide?
While anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two of the most well-known eating disorders, there are others.
From February 24 to March 1, Affinity Health will be raising awareness about eating disorders.
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Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health, said despite what some may believe, an eating disorder is not just the inability to stop eating piles of donuts or the need to snack on lettuce leaves and celery stalks alone.
“Eating disorders are about more than food. They are complicated mental health conditions that often require the intervention of medical and psychological experts. Eating disorders can cause serious health consequences and may even lead to death, so one must get professional help as soon as possible.”
Common types of eating disorders:
Anorexia nervosa: People with anorexia are often so afraid of gaining weight that they starve themselves. The condition is more common in women and girls, but it affects boys and men, too. Anorexia is a serious health problem that can result in heart, brain, multi-organ failure and death.
Bulimia: People with bulimia frequently eat substantial amounts of food in a short time and force themselves to vomit afterward to compensate for the calories consumed. Common side effects may include oral health issues such as worn tooth enamel and tooth decay, acid reflux, severe dehydration and hormonal disturbances. In extreme cases, bulimia can create an imbalance in electrolyte levels, which can cause a stroke or heart attack.
Binge-eating disorder: One of the most common eating disorders is binge-eating, which involves the regular consumption of large quantities of food over short periods. Typically, people who struggle with it are overweight or obese. It can develop at any age and lead to type two diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
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Other eating disorders include:
Pica: Eating things that are not considered food, such as ice, dirt, soil, chalk, soap, paper, hair, cloth, wool or stones.
Rumination disorder: People with rumination disorder regurgitate food they have previously chewed and swallowed, re-chew it, and then either re-swallow it or spit it out.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): Individuals with ARFID experience disturbed eating either due to a lack of interest in eating or distaste for specific smells, tastes, colours, textures or temperatures.
Night-eating syndrome: People with this syndrome often overeat, usually after awakening from sleep.
If you or a loved one struggles with an eating disorder, don’t hesitate to speak to your healthcare provider who will be able to provide an accurate diagnosis and assist with the right treatment approach.
