Eating Disorder in Women

Eating Disorder In Women It has been observed that as compared to men, women are more prone to eating disorders. Eating disorders in women usually start in teenage years following anxiety disorder, depression or substance abuse.

The problem of eating disorder has affected millions of people, especially women or teenagers. Most of the problems that result in eating disorder are weight loss and body image. When women try to lose weight or stress too much on thinness, it leads to negative image of body and irregular eating habits that result in eating disorder. Avoiding this problem can lead to severe diseases and can be fatal if not treated on time.

Eating Disorders in Women are of Four Types: Bulimia Nervosa

In this disorder, there is frequent purging and bingering and there is distorted body image. People with this problem usually hide food that they eat from others and feel ashamed of their behaviour.

Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
Physical Emotional
Dehydration Shame or guilt
Electrolyte problems Depression
Swollen face (fluid retention) Anxiety
Irregular menstrual periods Fear of weight gain
Anorexia Nervosa

This type of illness is characterized by extreme desire of the people to feel thin. Elements like intense fear of being fat or having a distorted body can be common things that you can notice in the patient.

Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
Physical Emotional
Slow heart rate Anxiety or nervousness
Low body temperature Withdrawal from friends & activities
Dramatic weight loss Depression
Low blood pressure Low self-esteem
Hair loss Intense fear of weight gain
Brittle hair and finger nails Distorted body image
Binge Eating Disorder

In this disorder, people tend to eat large amount of food in less period without purging. Usually, people have the tendency to skip meals or have small portions of food when they are around other people.

ED-NOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified)

People with this problem have some symptoms of either anorexia, binge or bulimia eating disorder. Suppose, a young woman who has this problem will have periods of restrictive eating followed by periods of overeating.

Usually, young women who have such disorder have distorted and negative image of the body.

Eating disorder is related to food problem. This disorder has two extreme things. Either the disorder comes if the person hates to have food or wants to lose weight or the disorder can occur when the person eats even when he/she is not hungry. People with anorexia have the tendency to starve more and control their hunger for a long time.

Risk factors that are related to eating disorder in women:

  • BP problem
  • Heart disease
  • Breast cancer
  • Kidney problems
Causes of Eating Disorders in Women

Theories on causes of this illness are many. Usually, this problem is caused due to psychological, genetic, family, social and environmental factors.

If the person has a family history of emotional disorder like depression, then it can be one of the causes. Eating disorder is also related with different feelings like happiness, sadness or anxiety. This results in the person to go on diet or skip meals or opt for weight loss.

To treat this disorder, doctors will monitor you, mental health therapy will be advised and some medications will be suggested.

Tips to Avoid Eating Disorder
  • Never underestimate yourself. Don't get influenced by magazine models.
  • Respect what you have got. Don't get frustrated with your own body image.
  • Consider eating as a positive experience
  • Never skip your meals and try to eat healthy foods
  • Try to cope up with negative feelings by talking to loved ones or engage yourself in listening to music or doing crafts.

Eating disorder in women should be treated on time, otherwise along with other illnesses; you will have to face much severe health problems that can cost you a lot. Too much exercise can also somehow affect your health. Hence, it is advisable to lessen it in your everyday activities. Focus on fitness should be made in limits and must be integrated in your lifestyle.






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