Eating Disorders: Background information when reading Wintergirls

Eating Disorders

This article relates to Wintergirls

Lia's anorexia and Cassie's bulimia represent two of the three most common eating disorders identified by the National Mental Health Information Center. Ninety percent of those who have eating disorders are women between the ages of 12 and 25, but they can also manifest in teenage boys, and adult men and women of all ages. It's estimated that as many as 10% of young women in some populations suffer from an eating disorder, and far more exhibit what are called disordered eating behaviors, though they may not warrant clinical diagnosis.

Anorexia nervosa is a complex psychiatric disorder, characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and rigorous rules and systems for denying hunger. A clinical diagnosis follows when the affected person's body weight is at least 15 percent below what is considered normal, and when, in women, there is an absence of at least three consecutive menstrual periods. The physical stress of forced starvation can lead to numerous serious medical conditions, including osteoporosis, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, infertility, increased risk of miscarriage, and damage to the heart and other organs. Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric disorders, with rates reported from 5% to 18%, the majority due to suicide.

Bulimia nervosa is a related psychiatric disorder. Instead of restricting food by denial, bulimics binge on an excessive amount of food in a short amount of time, and then purge through self-induced vomiting, taking laxatives, diuretics or other drugs, fasting, or excessive exercise.

Binge-eating disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of compulsive overeating, but unlike bulimics, binge-eaters do not purge their bodies of food. During binges they often eat alone and feel shame or guilt over their actions.

Resources and further information:

• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
• National Eating Disorders Organization

Filed under Medicine, Science and Tech

This "beyond the book article" relates to Wintergirls. It originally ran in May 2009 and has been updated for the March 2010 paperback edition. Go to magazine.