What average of people have eating disorders
1-3%, about 8 million people
Why are eating disorders so important
- Psychiatric illness
- highest death rate of any psychiatric illness
Who do eating disorders affect most often?
-college students
-actors
-models
athletes participating in “appearance sports” (sports with an emphasis on appearance)
Anorexia Nervosa
Extreme thins and a desire to lose weight or maintain an abnormally low weight
Does not apply to sufferers of metabolic disorders or other illness causing weight loss
Diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa
- restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Disturbed body perception and/or denial of the seriousness of the current low weight
What age is anorexia seen the most?
ages 14-18 years old
What characteristics are seen in people with anorexia?
- perfectionists, usually competitive, high achieving
- initially weight loss - praise and reinforcement
- view weight loss as success
What is the fatality rate of people with anorexia?
15% to 20% of sufferers dying within 20 years of onset
What are the leading causes of deaths among anorexics
suicide and cardiovascular problems