FAT LOSS – EATING DISORDERS: ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND BULIMIA
May 8th, 2009 | Posted by admin | Category: Weight LossNo Comments
Anorexia nervosa is essentially an under-eating disorder in contrast to the over-eating problems associated with the development of obesity. Bulimia is essentially a mal-eating disorder, as is the obsessive over-eating of specific nutrients that is associated with bulking, such as in body building, which will not be discussed in detail here. This latter pattern of mal-eating is more likely to occur in males because of the social ideal of bulk in men. The vast majority (90 per cent) of sufferers from anorexia and bulimia are women, although it is acknowledged that this may change in the future with changes in social and gender attitudes.
Both anorexia and bulimia have potentially severe, and possibly fatal consequences. Amongst individuals admitted to hospital for anorexia, the mortality is more than 10 per cent, death resulting usually from starvation, suicide or electrolyte imbalance. The long term outcome of bulimia is unknown, but disturbed eating behaviour may last for several years. Both anorexia and bulimia focus the individual’s attention almost exclusively on dissatisfaction with one’s own body size and shape, idealising the thin, androgynous figure and equating this with success, happiness, strength and discipline, and fat with failure and lack of attractiveness. The inter-relationship between anorexia and bulimia is complex. Some anorexia sufferers will at times binge and vomit and some bulimia sufferers have also suffered from anorexia, although they may now be normal weight.
For the counsellor, there may be times of concern as to what constitutes a ‘healthy’ attitude towards body maintenance, fat loss and eating, as opposed to a dysfunctional one. Both anorexic and bulimic clients may present themselves for assistance with weight loss, body building and exercise programs, any of which may inadvertently feed their disorder.
Myth-information. Massage can help improve circulation and enhance relaxation, however it has no long term physical effect on body fat loss or fitness.
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