Eating disorders - Research Paper Example

Introduction The American Psychiatric Association indicates that the two main categorized eating disorders are anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). However, there is another categorization of eating disorders not otherwise specified. This category of eating disorders entails patients who do not meet the standard for either anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. This is because anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the main diagnostic standards for eating disorders. In this category, Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most common (Wilson, et al., 2007). Several studies indicate that eating disorders are the major causes of morbidity and death in teenage females and young women. These disorders cause other harsh medical and psychological consequences such as delayed growth, osteoporosis and developmental delay. In addition, patients experiencing severe anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa depict dermatologic symptoms. Early knowledge of dermatologic signs is useful in the early and prompt diagnosis of unseen Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Cutaneous demonstrations are the expression of the health effects of substance abuse, vomiting, starvation, and psychiatric prevalence (Strumia, 2005). Prevalence of Eating Disorders During the last 50 years, the occurrence of AN and BN has augmented noticeably although it is possible to believe that in any case some of the increase is because of enhanced consciousness and reporting of these disorders. Exact approximates of occurrence and prevalence varies wildly, possibly since those who have these disorders are frequently unwilling to disclose their condition (Polivy & Herman, 2002). Eating disorders have a high occurrence in teenagers and young adults, and are 10 times more prevalent in females than in males. Even though they transpire in all ethnic and racial groups, they are more prevalent among Whites in developed countries (Strumia, 2005). In the United States and Western Europe, the standard occurrence of AN in young female is 0.3 percent. In addition, the occurrence of sub threshold AN, described, as one standard short of threshold, is higher: ranging from 0.37 percent to 1.3 percent. Further studies on the occurrence of the disease indicate that the common age of commencement of anorexia nervosa is between 15 and 19 years. On the other hand, the prevalence of BN is very different with 1 percent for women and 0.1 percent for women. These figures correspond to survey in Western Europe and United States. In the case of Binge Eating Disorder, several studies indicate that the occurrence of the disorder is approximately between 5 percent and 8 percent. In addition, population-based studies of BED indicate an equal gender occurrence and perhaps increased risk related to lower socioeconomic status (Berkman, et al., 2006). Causes and Risk Factors of Eating Disorders The commencement and occurrence of eating disorders is due to various diverse aspects. These factors comprise both the cultural and familial aspects as well as personal characteristics. They include involvement in behaviors that endorse thinness, rigid thinking, fear of losing control, a propensity for thoroughness, self-worth, which is overly established by the person’s outlook of their body shape and weight, discontent with body shape, and an engulfing orientation to be thin (Strumia, 2005). A major factor that accelerates and causes the onset of eating disorder ...Show more