| Body image is the sum of thoughts and feelings people | | | | there is not enough estrogen to maintain the body's |
| have about their physical appearance. Oftentimes, | | | | normal function, menstrual periods usually stop and |
| the media tend to promote a body image that can be | | | | bones become weal, leading to osteoporosis. The |
| unrealistic. Featuring role models for beauty and | | | | combination of osteoporosis and over exercising can |
| weight who are unnaturally thin can affect the | | | | lead to stress fractures. |
| physiological and psychological well-being of young | | | | Another type of eating disorder is bulimia, a condition |
| women, especially adolescents, who are just starting | | | | that makes girls resort to binge, or eat a lot of food |
| to become conscious of the changes in their physical | | | | out of control even if they are not hungry. Most |
| structures. | | | | people with bulimia often feel they have no control |
| Women living in a culture focused on dieting and | | | | over their eating. After bingeing episode, people feel |
| weight loss are more prone to develop eating | | | | guilty and anxious that they desire to get rid of the |
| disorders which are detrimental in one's health. Dieting | | | | food by self-induced vomiting or by exercising. |
| and the weight loss pill industry may lead young people | | | | People with bulimia may have unusual tendency to eat |
| to develop eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa | | | | in private and hide what they eat from others or eat |
| and bulimia, as well as serious physical and | | | | until they are uncomfortable and exhausted. Bulimia |
| psychological conditions, like lack of focus, depression, | | | | causes people to feel afraid or ashamed of |
| low self-esteem, and fatigue syndrome. Having an | | | | themselves. |
| intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body | | | | People with bulimia may develop serious electrolyte |
| image can lead to extreme behaviors of | | | | problems, irregular menstrual periods, dehydration, |
| over-exercising, too much dieting, over-eating, binging, | | | | swollen face, sore throat, tooth decay, dry and flaky |
| self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse. | | | | skin, upset stomach, heartburn, constipation, depression, |
| A young woman who do not eat enough to keep her | | | | or weight fluctuations. Low potassium levels due to too |
| body working properly may be suffering from anorexia | | | | much self-induced vomiting may lead to serious heart |
| nervosa. Losing too much weight can make you | | | | arrhythmias, or even death. |
| become weak and unhealthy because of a poor | | | | Detecting bulimia may not be easy as someone can |
| diet. Most people with anorexia exercise too much in | | | | have a normal weight, but still suffer from the |
| order to burn up the food they eat. They tend to "feel | | | | condition. Also, since they tend to be secretive about |
| fat" even when they are actually losing weight. They | | | | their eating habits, even their family and friends are not |
| try to convince themselves and the people around | | | | aware that they have a problem. Bulimia is a serious |
| them that they are not hungry. They often take diet | | | | condition and can cause permanent damage to the |
| pills to control hunger and attempts to lose weight. | | | | teeth, stomach, digestive track, and heart. |
| Some of these pills side effects often make girls feel | | | | If you have eating disorder, the goal is to improve your |
| anxious or nervous. They drink caffeinated | | | | body image and self-esteem. Try to address other |
| beverages that give a false sense of energy. Most | | | | emotional issues such as depression, obsessive |
| people with anorexia develop emotional problems like | | | | compulsive disorder, or substance abuse. Discuss |
| low self-esteem, obsessive thoughts and behaviors. | | | | with your therapist feelings of sadness, anxiety, or |
| Anorexia nervosa is characterized by abnormal loss | | | | anger with your therapist. Therapy greatly helps in |
| of weight, having distorted impression about one's | | | | providing the time and space where you can |
| body size, and unreasonable fear of becoming fat. | | | | confidentially talk about your needs, your goals, and |
| Some of the symptoms of people with anorexia can | | | | your understanding of the eating problem. |
| be dizziness, heart problems, low blood pressure, low | | | | Understanding attitudes and behaviors where teasing |
| temperature and fainting spells. Anorexia can cause | | | | and harassment about weight and body shape are |
| hair and fingernails to become brittle. Loss of hair on | | | | parts of the culture can help prevent eating disorders. |
| the head, dry skin, dehydration, and constipation are | | | | You don't have to be resigned in accepting these |
| also symptoms of anorexia. People with anorexia | | | | unreasonable standards of body image but you have |
| experience anxiety, tiredness, and depression. | | | | the option to go against the industry that conditioned |
| Anorexia can also cause the growth of soft furry hair | | | | your mind set about it and reverse the situation to your |
| on face, back and arms, also known as lanugo. Since | | | | advantage and benefit. |