Eating disorders or disorders are, in general, disturbances in eating behavior. They are considered psychiatric illnesses.
Cases of eating disorders have increased in recent decades. They are mainly related to socio-cultural, biological, psychological and family aspects. They are also related to the standards of beauty imposed by society, such as thinness and a slim body.
In many cases, the first manifestations occur in childhood and adolescence. Most cases of eating disorders are diseases that affect mainly teenagers and young women.
1. Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is related to weight loss
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by intense weight loss. People with anorexia intentionally starve, even if they are underweight. Prolonged fasts are common.
In this type of disorder, there is excessive fear of gaining weight. The body's appearance is distorted and people see themselves as fat, even though they are extremely thin. It can also happen that they feel uncomfortable with a certain part of the body.
Anorexia mainly affects young women.
Some criteria used in diagnosing anorexia are:
- Intense search for the thinness of the body. Refusal to keep the body within the ideal weight.
- Intense fear of gaining weight or looking fat, even if the person is already underweight.
- Disturbance in the way of perceiving the body. Perception of the body with the distorted appearance of reality.
- Absence of menstrual cycles in the case of women.
- Adopting physical exercise routines to lose weight.
- Psychiatric changes such as mood swings, anxiety and personality disorders.
Anorexia can lead to heart and gastrointestinal problems, infertility and hypothermia. Clinical complications can even lead to death.
2. Nervous bulimia
People with bulimia induce vomiting to prevent weight gain
THE nervous bulimia it is the ingestion of large amounts of food in a short period of time. After that, there are episodes of induced vomiting, fasting, use of laxatives or excessive physical exercise to prevent weight gain.
This behavior is called a bulimic episode and can occur up to twice a week. Often, the foods chosen are sweets, biscuits and chocolates.
After an exaggerated intake of large amounts of food, the person feels guilty, ashamed of themselves and the fear of gaining weight. Therefore, it looks for ways to prevent weight gain, with induced vomiting being the most common practice.
Some cases of bulimia nervosa are associated with anxiety, depression, boredom and loneliness.
The main criteria used in the diagnosis of bulimia are:
- Excessive preoccupation with weight and body image.
- Feeling of losing control over food. Eat until you feel uncomfortable.
- Eating large amounts of food at short intervals of time.
- With the fear of gaining weight, the practices of induced vomiting, use of laxatives and fasting are adopted.
- Typical symptoms of depression and anxiety.
3. Obesity
Obesity and body fat accumulation
THE obesity it is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the body, which can cause serious health problems.
In most cases, obesity is related to sedentary habits, inadequate diet, genetic and psychological factors, such as low self-esteem.
Some symptoms of obesity are:
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Muscle aches.
- Depression
- Feeling tired.
4. malnutrition
Malnutrition is a serious public health problem worldwide
THE malnutrition it is characterized by a deficiency, relative or absolute, of one or more essential nutrients. It is related to social, economic and pathological factors.
The malnourished person has weight loss. Your diet is lacking or lacking in protein and caloric sources. It can also happen that some other disease makes the absorption of nutrients difficult and causes malnutrition.
Some symptoms of malnutrition are:
- Delay in normal growth of children.
- Absence of menstruation, in the case of females.
- Hair loss.
- Loss of muscle mass and fat.
- Anemia.
- Wrinkling of the skin.
5. Vigorexia
Vigorexia is the search for the perfect and muscular body
THE vigorexy characterized by the excessive search to achieve a muscular body. Thus, the person is concerned with diet and intense physical exercise.
This disorder mainly affects men up to 38 years of age.
The main symptoms are:
- Control and concern with diet.
- Intense use of bodybuilding activities.
- Use of anabolic steroids.
Over time, vigorexia can lead to anemia, bone, heart and gastrointestinal problems.
6. Orthorexia
People with orthorexia have a diet based only on healthy foods
THE orthorexia characterized by an obsession with consuming healthy and nutritious food.
The person does not stop eating, however, is extremely focused on maintaining a healthy diet. Such a situation can exclude her from social groups and habitual activities.
Some symptoms are:
- Intense desire to eat only healthy foods.
- Concern about how to prepare food. The person may refuse to eat food prepared by other people.
- Weight loss.
- Concern about body appearance.
Also read about Healthy eating.
