Shradha Adhikari

Eating disorders have become increasingly common in recent decades, causing significant psychological and health problems such as severe disruptions in people's eating habits, cognition, and emotions. Such disorders result from intense societal pressure to diet and conform to unrealistic weight and body size standards. Females develop eating disorders at a higher rate than males. Females between 12 and 35 years are often affected by eating disorders. However, people belonging to any age group can reel from this problem.
Eating disorders, notably anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, were long regarded as a problem affecting just a small percentage of the population, primarily Western young Caucasian females. But such disorders are now found affecting people from many cultures and countries. They affect around 70 million people worldwide, with Japan having the highest rate of prevalence followed by Singapore and South Korea. The fatality of eating disorders in Nepal peaks at age 45-49.
Anorexia nervosa is probably the most well-known eating disorder. It is essentially a mental illness in which the individual develops a nervous obsession with gaining weight, distorting the reality s/he observes in the mirror and constantly feel obese. A majority of cases occur during adolescence or early adulthood, and women are more likely to be affected than men. People suffering from anorexia frequently perceive themselves to be overweight, even if they are dangerously underweight. They tend to continually monitor their weight, avoid certain foods, and limit their calorie intake. It is associated with serious medical complications. The mortality rate among this group is six times higher than that of a general population due to suicide, substance abuse, and physiological effects of starvation. Anorexia nervosa introduces its other two subtypes: the restricting type and the binge-eating/purging type.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterised by compulsive overeating or consuming substantial amounts of food while feeling unable to stop and lose control. Binge eating episodes are typically defined as occurring at least twice a week for six months. Albert Stunkard, a psychiatrist, and researcher, first described it as Night Eating Syndrome in 1959. Though binge disorder can occur in male and female of normal weight, it frequently results in unwanted weight gain or obesity, which may indirectly reinforce further compulsive eating.
Bulimia nervosa is another familiar disorder. It is an eating disorder analysed as recurrent episodes of binge eating (consumption of large quantities of food) at least once a week for three months. This disorder is of two subtypes. The first is the purging type, in which the individual regularly vomits or uses laxatives, diuretics or enemas. And the second subtype is non-purging, in which the individual does excessive exercise or fasting to compensate for binges.
Major causes of eating disorders include biological and genetic factors (neurotransmitter vulnerabilities and overweight), psychological factors (physical abuse, body image dissatisfaction and low self-esteem), social factor (parental behaviours, comments on weight) and sociocultural factor (comparison and social media aspects).
Eating disorders demonstrate the close relationship between emotional and physical health. The first step in treating anorexia nervosa is to help patients regain healthy weight. Breaking the binge-purge cycle is critical for patients with bulimia nervosa. It is essential to assist patients with binge eating disorder in interrupting and stopping binges. However, restoring a person's weight or temporarily halting the binge-purge cycle does not address the underlying emotional issues that cause or are exacerbated by the abnormal eating behaviour. Psychotherapy assists people suffering from eating disorders.
Besides, general medical care, nutritional management, and nutritional counselling are suggested for a person with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. These steps may help to re-establish physical well-being and a good eating habit.