Eating disorders are eating habits that are hurtful to an individual and at times, will result in life-threatening illness, and even death. It is estimated that eating disorders affect at least 10 million Americans and 70 million individuals worldwide. Eating disorders know no race, age, class, or gender. Eating disorders have been present in children as young as three years old and in adults as old as ninety. The typical age of onset is anywhere from 12-18 years of age. The three most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa (self-starvation) is a disorder that deals with the intense fear of gaining weight, with a refusal to eat. An individual that is anorexic will weigh 85% or less of his/her ideal body weight. Regardless of how thin and emaciated an anorectic may become, he/she will firmly be convinced that they are overweight and experience a disturbance in the manner in which they view themselves (much like how one sees their reflection in a funhouse mirror).

Bulimia Nervosa (binge-purge) is characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging (eating excessive amounts of food and then ridding your body of them). An individual on a binge can consume calories ranging from 1,000-60,000 in a single sitting over a 1-2 hour span while feeling a lack of control over the food. Feelings of panic and guilt set in shortly after the binge and the individual, then, purges the calories by means of self-induced vomiting, excessive use of diuretics and laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercising.

Binge Eating Disorder (binging) is similar to bulimia in regards to consuming large quantities of food while feeling a complete lack of control. However, Binge Eating Disorder differs from bulimia, because the individual will not purge the food that was consumed in the binge. During a binge, the individual might eat to a point of extreme and uncomfortable physical pain.

 Contrary to popular belief, an eating disorder is never solely based on food. There are many factors that contribute to why an individual may develop an eating disorder. However, no single, defined cause has been established as to why they develop. Some contributing factors are a loss of control and a need to recapture it, anxiety, guilt, depression, a refusal to grow up, genetics, and a need for attention.

1. Overinvolvement in the life of the child. The child, then, searches for a means of CONTROL.
2. Abandonment Issues - A divorce or separation that takes place in the house. The individual, then, wants to revert back to an earlier, happier time, or a need for attention.
3. Abuse - An eating disorder can be a result of incest or rape.
4. Mourning Period (bereavement) - As a result of a death. Also could be an inability to mourn.

1. Depression
2. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
4. Anxiety

1. Perfectionistic Tendencies
2. A "people" pleaser.

1. Possible genetic link present.
2. History of eating disorder case(s) in the family.

E. History of being ridiculed about weight.

1. Constantly made fun of when the individual was growing up. Name calling, jokes, etc.

 There are several distinct and obvious signs that can be seen within individuals that are suffering from an eating disorder. They do, however, vary from person to person and from one type of an eating disorder to the next. Remember, an individual does not necessarily have to display all of the following signs and symptoms to have an eating disorder. Because they are life threatening, it is important to recognize the most common warning signs associated with Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder.

Anorexia: A distorted body image, an intense fear of gaining weight, counting every calorie, amenorrhea: cessation of a period for three consecutive menstrual cycles, paleness, dizziness or fainting spells, intense and dramatic mood swings, complaints of coldness, excessive hair loss, exhaustion and fatigue, never eating in front of others, wearing loose and baggy clothing, dark circles around the eyes, growth of fine facial hair and fur-like hair (lanugo) on the body, abuse of diet pills, laxatives or diuretics (water pills), and excessive and compulsive exercising.

Bulimia: Binging and purging, visits to the bathroom after meals, hiding foods and secretive eating, tooth decay, swollen glands in the neck, puffy cheeks, constant sore throat, constant weight fluctuation of 10,20,30 pounds or more, broken blood vessels in the eyes, scrape wounds on the back of the knuckles and fingers, abuse of diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics (water pills), and excessive and compulsive exercising.

Binge Eating Disorder: Rapid weight gain and weight fluctuations, eating large quantities of food even when not hungry, a depressed and anxious mood, disgust and shame over food, eating to a point that is extremely uncomfortable and even causes physical pain, hiding foods in anticipation of a binge, feeling no control over food, and attributing all successes and failures to weight.

1. Learn as much as you can about eating disorders.
2. Find an appropriate time to talk to the individual, in private and never in front of other people (free of distractions).
3. Make sure to talk to the person in loving and understanding way, and listen with a non-judgmental ear. Don't be scared.
4. Have educational materials on eating disorders available, along with phone numbers and/or website addresses of eating disorder organizations, to give to the individual.
5. Do not gossip about the individual.
6. Don't force the individual to eat.
7. Encourage the individual to seek professional help, perhaps someone who specializes in eating disorders (doctor, therapist, nutritionist, etc.). Don't attempt to solve his/her problems on your own.
8. Be prepared that the individual might deny that he/she has a problem. If that is the case, make sure to tell someone else about your concerns.
9. Be available for your friend and don't expect to be perfect.