It is the first time that the BMA has acknowledged such a link. There are an estimated 60,000 people in Britain with eating disorders. Nine out of ten are female (British associated medical report). The report calls for urgent action to reduce the pressure on young women to be thin, asking publishers in particular to be more responsible. The association asks for "more realistic body shapes" to be featured in a bid to cut the number of women dying from the so-called "slimming" diseases. Schools are also encouraged to stamp out teasing of overweight pupils, and to encourage them to take part in sport. Dr Vivienne Nathanson, BMA head of science, said: "The image of slim models in the media are a marked contrast to the body size and shape of most children and young women, who are becoming increasingly heavier." (British associated medical report). There is numerous health implications through having anorexia or bulimia, sufferers may develop malnutrition caused by under eating or overeating. The word malnutrition indicates deficiency for energy, protein and micronutrients (e.g. vitamin A, iodine and iron) either singularly or in combination (Bruch, 1973). It can cause severe health risks including (but not limited to) respiratory infections, kidney failure, blindness, heart attack and death. Dehydration will be caused by the depletion or lack of intake of fluids in the body, or by restriction of carbohydrates and fat. Restriction/Starvation, vomiting and laxative abuse are the primary causes in sufferers of Eating Disorders (Gross, 2005). Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, or darkening of urine. It can lead to kidney failure, heart failure, seizures, brain damage and death. Lanugo (soft downy hair on face, back and arms) this is caused due to a protective mechanism built-in to the body to help keep a person warm during periods of starvation and malnutrition, and the hormonal imbalances that result from the disorder. The Eating Disorder Association estimate that is costs the NHS £12,000 for a 12 week in house programme (Jane Ogden, 2003). On the other hand obesity in the UK is on the rise a quarter of men and a fifth of women are obese. A Further 41% of men and 33% of women are overweight (NHS direct). Obese levels are also on the rise with children to. Insurance companies have known for nearly a century that very heavy people or very light people are likely to die young and are therefore unprofitable to insure (NHS direct). Being overweight also cost the UK large amounts of money, it is reported that the cost to the NHS is approximately £485 million a year and that obesity related disorders result in 18 million sick days a year (NHS direct). Increasing rates of obesity appear to be common to the process of industrialisation and have been linked with many factors, including a more sedentary lifestyle and diets high in fat and sugars and an abundance of food. (Gordon, Richard, 2000) The number of children suffering from obesity has increased dramatically since the mid 1980’s in the UK. However this is not just a UK problem but also a global issue. Results in America have shown that the numbers with obesity have doubled since 1980. (Brown, 2001).
Obesity is defined as “An abnormal accumulation of body fat usually 20% or more over an individual’s ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with the increased risk of illness, disability, and death.”(cited in; Gale, 2000) “The role of obesity in the aetiology of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease is well established. Obesity is also recognized as a major risk factor in the development of many other diseases, such as gastro esophageal reflux, arthritis of weight-bearing joints, sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer” (cited in; Bond, Evans, DeMaria, Meador, Warren, Shannon, & Shannon, 2004, p. 849).
Media is not only thought to play a role in anorexia and bulimia it is also thought to play a role in the outset of obesity. Advertising plays a role in expanding children 's waistlines in three primary ways: 1) the types of products targeted at kids; 2) the influence of ads on children 's food preferences; and 3) the extent to which these preferences actually impact children 's food consumption. Studies have found that the vast majority of television ads targeted at children are for food products and services (cited in: Barcus, 1975). Of those ads, most are for sweets, sweetened cereals and fast-food restaurants. But does exposure to such ads translate into requests for those foods? The research indicates that it does. Ads for junk food and sweets have been found to influence children 's short and long-term food preferences (Atkin and Gibson, 1978; Goldberg et al, 1978).
The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that controls our controlled weight loss and weight management, our motivation to eat and how the eating experience it experienced, if food is satisfying or not. If the hypothalamus is not working correctly food becomes increasingly more and more important, but yet increasingly more and more unfulfilling. It is this knowledge that has proved a link between the function of the hypothalamus and obesity (Gross, 2005). After diagnosis of an eating disorder has been made the next step is to treat it, treatment is available in different ways. A doctor of health physician can help treat the damage caused by the disorder; they can also recommend and refer the patient to a specialist eating disorder specialist (Jane Ogden, 2003). The specialist can then treat the disorder this can be done by counselling by which the patient can openly talk about their eating habits and begin to recognise their problem and begin to take control over their eating pattern (Jane Ogden, 2003). Cognitive behavioural therapy is another option, the patient would be taught new ways of thinking about their eating, and deal with deeper emotional problems that may have caused the disorder. In extreme cases hospitalisation would be an option, so the patients eating and calorie intake can be professionally monitored (Jane Ogden, 2003). Similar treatment is available for treating obesity, combining diet and exercise and behaviour therapy is a good place to start. Stomach stapling is another option for extreme cases, it reduces the size of the stomach thus making you eat less (Jane Ogden, 2003). There are drugs available from a health physician the most popular of these being, Orlistat that works by reducing the amount of fat absorbed from food. Sibutramine works by depressing the appetite, and finally Rimonabant that is the first ever drug to be prescribed for obesity. This works by reducing appetite and is thought to be used combined with exercise and diet (BBC). This essay has discovered that Eating disorders are extremely dangerous in many ways and if left untreated can be fatal. It has been disclosed in this essay that chemical imbalances, social and media, family, possibly depression are all major contributors to the outset of any eating disorder. Their symptoms are different but the starting point for these disorders appears to be similar. With professional help they are thankfully if caught in time able to be overcome.
References
Atkin, C., & Heald, G. (1977). The content of children’s toy and food commercials. Journal of Communication, 27, 107-114
BBC, internet page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/your_weight/medical_eds.shtml Accessed on 8th May 2007. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A13785014 Accessed on 8th May, 2007.
Bond, D.S., Evans, R.K., DeMaria, E.J., Meador, J.G., Warren, B.J., Shannon, K.A., Shannon, R.M. (2004). A conceptual application of health behavior theory in the Design and implementation of a successful surgical weight loss program. Obesity Surgery, 14 849-856. Accessed June 30, 2007 from EBSCOhost database.
Brown, Liz, 2001, Go outside and play (obese children), Better Nutrition (online), Sept.2001, Available at http;//www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0FKA/9_63/78477096/html (accessed 1st June 2007) Bruch H (1973) Eating Disorders – Obesity, Anorexia Nervosa, and the person within, Basic Books, http://www.chuckiii.com/Reports/Health_&_Beauty/Anorexia_Nervosa_and_the_media.shtml. The Gale Encyclopaedia of Alternative Medicine, 2000,
Gordon, Richard, 2nd edition, 2000, Eating Disorders: Anatomy of a Social Epidemic, Blackwell, Oxford
Gross, Richard Gross, 2005. The science of mind and behaviour, Hodder & Arnold, Kent.
Hwang, Mi Young. “Are you obese?” The Journal of the American Medical Association October 27, 1999 .
NHS, internet page: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=27. Accessed on 10th May, 2007.
Orbach S (1998), Fat is a Feminist Issue, Arrow Books, http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=27§ionId=31884 The psychology of eating: Jane Ogden, 2003 Blackwell publishing, Oxford.
References: Atkin, C., & Heald, G. (1977). The content of children’s toy and food commercials. Journal of Communication, 27, 107-114 BBC, internet page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/your_weight/medical_eds.shtml Accessed on 8th May 2007 http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A13785014 Accessed on 8th May, 2007. The Gale Encyclopaedia of Alternative Medicine, 2000, Gordon, Richard, 2nd edition, 2000, Eating Disorders: Anatomy of a Social Epidemic, Blackwell, Oxford Gross, Richard Gross, 2005. The science of mind and behaviour, Hodder & Arnold, Kent. Hwang, Mi Young. “Are you obese?” The Journal of the American Medical Association October 27, 1999 . NHS, internet page: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=27. Accessed on 10th May, 2007. Orbach S (1998), Fat is a Feminist Issue, Arrow Books, http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=27§ionId=31884 The psychology of eating: Jane Ogden, 2003 Blackwell publishing, Oxford.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
So many individuals suffer health complications or lose their life to this serious disorder. Many individuals with this disorder are described as “perfectionist” and having OCD. For many, it is about gaining some sense of control. One of the questions raised was: what are the stressors causing eating disorders? There is not a simple answer. Some may have suffered a trauma or are struggling with other internal issues with how they perceive themselves. Those who have eating disorders already had vulnerabilities that existed. In the documentary, high levels of anxiety were discussed and how starving the body decreases the serotonin levels that may reduce intense anxiety for some. No matter what the stressors or issues that the individual are facing, it is important to address the underlying causes and symptoms and eating behaviors simultaneously. Both articles by Serpell discussed studies done with young individuals with Anorexia and Bulimia. Both groups were asked to write two letters to their eating disorder; one from the view of a friend and one from the view of an…
- 670 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
This research paper goes in depth on eating disorders and how they can be prevented. This paper will also cover how many individuals are affected by this situation each year nationwide. In many cases, individuals with eating disorders survive; but others find it hard to seek help. There is an enormous amount of individuals who have eating disorders and die because they don't have the motivation to seek help. I would like to give out a few pointers and information on how this society could prevent eating disorders. If you know of an individual with an eating disorder, I kindly encourage you to take matters into your own hands and seek help for that individual because often times he/she won't have the strength to do it on their own.…
- 575 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
An eating disorder is serious, potentially life –threatening condition that can affect the individual’s emotional and physical health. This conditions is so complex and devastating, it leads to serious consequences for health, productivity and relationships.…
- 762 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Eating disorders have drastically been on the climb in the recent years. It has become increasing popular to be extremely thin and focus on the superficial aspects of the body. Currently 8 million people are living with some kind of eating disorder. There are three different types of eating disorders that include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. These are all psychological disorders that can be very detrimental if not treated and improved upon. While all three of these disorders have extreme risk and consequences the most well know are anorexia nervousa and bulimia nervousa. Although these psychological disorders are greatly related with the desire to be thin there is a much deeper backgrounds to be explored.…
- 2437 Words
- 10 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Wozniak, Rekleiti and Roupa (2012) outline early signs of anorexia nervosa (AN); preoccupation with food, weight and calories; rigidity and rituals around eating, avoidance of family meals, denial of hunger and excessive exercise. As it progresses the patient may seem withdrawn, absent sense of humour, angry and depressed and no longer spending time with friends. The patient…
- 2396 Words
- 10 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Do you ever think that right now, one percent of all women are starving themselves, some literally starving and exercising themselves to death? Eating disorders are becoming an epidemic; they are confusing, complex diseases that many people know little about. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat. To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia nervosa may starve themselves or exercise excessively. Anorexia Nervosa is described as “one of the least understood and most intractable of all mental illnesses” (Schindehette, Sandler, Nelson and Seaman, 2003, p. 136). Many of the victims of this disease will battle it for the rest of…
- 1700 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
America is the land of the free, but obesity is one of the main topics in America and also an epidemic that is the second preventable cause of death. Never have there have been so many not only overweight, but obese children and adults. Obesity results when a person’s weight is far above his ideal body weight (Giddings 12). It has come to be a major dilemma in many countries, nevertheless America leads it compared to the others. The numbers just continue to climb, although there is no definite answer as to why, there has been some conclusions. Scientific studies have evidence that points to two causes that most people suspect: too little exercise and too much food. In some ways, the outbreak of the twenty- first century due to many indulging…
- 168 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
Wade TD and Bulik CM (2000) Anorexia Nervosa and major depression: shared genetic and environmental risk factor. New Jersey: American Psychiatry Academy.…
- 3149 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Eating disorders are not something you can take lightly and there are serious psychological issues in the mindset of one who encounters them. With these theories as the basis of the story, the author also includes medical terminology to add a scientific perspective to her writings and enable readers to recall information and learn more about the eating disorder itself.…
- 464 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
In today’s society many people are affected by eating disorders and their deadly side effects. Two of the most common eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are often confused for one another because they each share many of the same qualities; however, each disorder has its own distinct behaviors that make it quite different from the other. Because each disorder is serious and can be deadly, it is important for people to understand each one individually in order to be able to distinguish each disorder from the other.…
- 630 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
“Going to extremes is what sets eating disorders apart from the occasional binge or even yo-yo dieting” (Suszynski, 2010) There are many disorders that can be detained in the human body. One of the most common disorders in the U.S.A is eating disorders. Two of the most common eating disorders are Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa. In spite of these two having so many similarities, it is important to understand that there are differences in which make them separate entities.…
- 711 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Eating disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s society. This type of mental illness is most common in young women who are struggling with their self-esteem. There can be severe health effects of an eating disorder going untreated. Pressures by the outside world are likely to trigger an eating disorder. Empowering those who feel powerless is of utmost importance when countess eating disorders are caused from psychological factors. When America makes eating disorders a serious issue, we would observe this disease reduce dramatically within a generation.…
- 1139 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
Eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening conditions that affect a person’s emotional and physical state (Nationaleatingdisorders.org, 2015). Bulimia Nervosa is a common eating disorder where diagnosed patients will have recurring and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food and feeling a lack of control over these episodes. Following this binge eating, the patients will compensate for the large amounts of food they have just eaten by vomiting, using a large amount of laxatives, excessive exercising, fasting or a combination of all these behaviours (National Institute of Mental Health). I chose this topic because I have encountered a number of people my age, including people very close to me who are going through or overcoming an eating…
- 559 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The purpose of this paper is to bring awareness about the development of eating disorders during the adolescent years. Eating Disorders are a serious psychology disorder characterized by severe abnormal eating behaviors. These behaviors can range from insufficient amount of food intake, extreme episodes of overeating, purging, and obsessive preoccupation with food or weight. Eating disorders can lead to heart problems, osteoporosis, seizures, digestion problems, amenorrhea, kidney damage, tooth decay, and sometimes even death. It is estimated that eight million people in America have an eating disorder, and it is the third most common illness among female adolescents (Journal of Adolescent Health, 2003). These growing numbers have made it important to find out what causes the disorder, how to treat it, and most importantly, how to prevent it.…
- 1924 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
I can still recall, as a child, waking up early on Saturday mornings and rushing to the oversized, enclosed-cabinet, television to watch the Saturday morning cartoons. Having a bowl of cereal was included in the ritual and most times, it was a brand of cereal that I had seen in a commercial on a previous Saturday morning. When I was a child, I did not see commercials as a nuisance – I looked forward to them. I was entertained by the cartoons and then as a bonus, the commercials filled me in on the latest toys, snacks, cereal, and fast-food places which I immediately had to have. Advertisements targeting children have only increased since my childhood. The ever expanding markets for products and the media assault through advertisements are flooding society with ideas, information, attitudes and imagery which is difficult to control. This onslaught is affecting the young minds of our children to a great extent because entertainment is being intermingled with commercial messages. Adults may be able to create a rational resistance to this, but children may not.…
- 1586 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays