Eating disorders and obesity

ANOREXIA

This disorder is characterised by intense concern about gaining weight, a change in the way a person perceives his/her weight or the silhouette of their body, and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).

We can identify two types of anorexia: Restrictive (restricting food intake without binging nor purging), and compulsive or purging (with regular binging and purging).

For binging and purging, this may also include the use of laxatives, diuretics and enemas.

BINGE EATING

This disorder is characterised by eating a big amount of food in a short period of time accompanied by a feeling of being out of control of the situation. This causes a feeling of culpability, shame and displeasure, which is why binge eating is a solitary activity and hidden from others.

Binge eating is associated with stress, because there is often no activity or exercise to offset the food intake, binge eating usually leads to obesity.

BULIMIA

This disorder is characterised by binging, inappropriate compensating behaviour, and a strong influence of the weight and body silhouette in a person’s self-evaluation.

There are two types of bulimia: Purgative (use of vomiting, laxatives, diuretics or enemas), and non-purgative (other inappropriate compensating behaviours such as fasting or intense exercise).

OBESITY

Although it is not officially classified as an eating disorder, obesity is a symptom that there is something that it is not working well at an emotional level, or signifies the presence of psychological problems. For example, a person with untreated anxiety becomes anxious and eats excessively and then becomes obese.

Obesity is diagnosed when an individual’s Corporal Mass Index is over 30.

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