Eating Disorders
Eating DisordersBy: Stephanie Levy
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Each year a million of women in America are affected by serious and sometimes life-threatening eating disorders. The most common eating disorders are bulimia and anorexia. Eating disorders occur in men and older women, but more than 90 percent of those afflicted with these diseases are adolescents and young adult women. Two to three percent of young women develop bulimia, a destructive pattern of excessive overeating, followed by vomiting or other "purging" behaviors to control their weight. In comparison, two percent of young women develop anorexia, a sickness in which one intentionally starves one�s body. The causes of these diseases are not very clear and can vary from emotional to physical reasons. Few reasons why eating disorders are a growing problem among young women, are the difficulties of going through puberty, peer pressure and stress, and the obsessive desire to have a �perfect body.� Eating disorders are serious diseases and should be treated as soon as diagnosed. Bulimia and anorexia can cause damage to vital organs such as the heart and the brain and even death. Puberty is one the most stressful times in a women�s life. Some make the change from childhood into adolescence with only a few minor problems; others, however, may have a more difficult time handling the pressures and may develop eating disorders as a way to cope. Hormones are changing, body is developing, menstruation is around the corner and moods are swinging. Young girls seek independence and want to be treated as adults, but they are stuck in an in-between stage. All these new emotions are confusing, frightening and hard to deal with. Teenagers are under a lot of pressure to succeed and fit in; in parallel some women may enter puberty earlier then others. Early development can lead to a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety, which can then increase the risks of developing an eating disorder. All the physical changes that are know noticeable by the others, can cause young women to be teased by their peers and be the target of cruel jokes. These girls may develop a series of complexes and reject their body image. As a result,...
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