EATING DISORDERS
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Do you or someone you know suffer from an eating disorder? Eating disorders often make a person feel scared and alone. This page will provide you with information and resources to help you learn about the different diseases, specific populations, and guide you or someone you know in the process of recovery and starting to live a fulfilling life! |
FOUR MAJOR CATEGORIES OF EATING DISORDERS
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1. Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia involves restricting food intake to amounts below what is needed for one’s body, extreme fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, a distorted body image, and a weight less than 85% of what is expected of a typical person of that age, height, and build. Often people suffering from anorexia will purge by either vomiting the food that they consumed or exercising to extremes.
2. Bulimia Nervosa: A person suffering from bulimia often has a distorted body image and will repeatedly binge on large amounts of food and then purge by means of self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, enemas, diuretics, or other medications, over-exercising, or fasting. 3. Binge Eating Disorder (BED): BED includes a cycle of insatiable cravings that can occur at anytime during the day and binging on large amounts of food. A person suffering from this eating disorder will eat uncontrollably, often in secret. It does not occur in the presence of Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa. After binging, the sufferer does not purge. 4. Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS): EDNOS is the most common eating disorder, but still can be very severe. A person has EDNOS if he or she meets most of the diagnostic criteria of one or more of the other eating disorders, but not all of the criteria. |
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RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE
Recovery from an eating disorder is a process that requires hard work. It is vital to utilize coping skills and have a support network while going through the process of recovery. Resorting to eating disorder behaviors may seem easier than recovery, but eating disorders do not allow people to experience life. Recovery will result in a fulfilling life. 100% recovery is possible! The following links can help to start you on your journey to recovery. If you don’t suffer from an eating disorder, it is important to be educated because more than likely, you know someone who does suffer. According to ANAD (www.anad.org), 24 million people suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S.
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The National Eating Disorders Association's (NEDA) 25th Anniversary of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week took place from February 26th to March 3rd 2012. This video represented the campaign, Everybody Knows Somebody, which raised much needed awareness and funds for eating disorders. |
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EATING DISORDER RESEARCH
- Eating disorders are especially common among young adults. According to the National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders (ANAD) (www.anad.org) 95% of those with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.
- 15% of women 17-24 have eating disorders (The Massachusetts Eating Disorders Association, www.waldenbehavioralcare.com).
- About 10-15% of people with anorexia or bulimia are male.
- Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition (ANAD, www.anad.org), but full recovery is possible and does happen!
- 3-5% of women and 2 % of males in the U.S. suffer from Binge Eating Disorder (ANAD, www.anad.org).
- Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents (ANAD, www.anad.org).
- 10% to 20% of female college students and 4% to 10% of college males have eating disorders (Eating for Life Alliance, www.eatingforlife.org). The percentage of college males with eating disorders is said to have increased since this study.
- 91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting. 22% dieted “often” or “always” (ANAD, www.anad.org).
- 25% of college-aged women binge and purge to manage their weight (ANAD, www.anad.org).
- 27% college males are dieting to lose weight and 45% of college males are exercising to lose weight (American College Health Association, www.acha.org).
Eating Disorder Research Studies
Do you want to participate in an eating disorder research study? You will even receive compensation for participating! Check out our Join A Study page! |
Operation Beautiful
End negative self-talk or "Fat Talk." Leave a note and submit a photo to OperationBeautiful@ gmail.com |
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The National Eating Disorders Association's campaign, It's Time to Talk About It, encourages sufferers to share their experiences and seek help. Early intervention is key. For help, please call the NEDA Helpline: (800) 931-2237 www.nationaleatingdisorders.org Massachusetts: www.medainc.org |
MORE INFORMATION
National Association
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Something Fishy
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Multiservice Eating Disorders Association
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Addictions & Eating Disorders
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ANRED
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Eating Disorder Awareness
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ONLINE SUPPORT
MentorConnect
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Something Fishy
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We Bite Back
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NEDA FORUM
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MALES
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MALES WITH EATING DISORDERS
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Men Get Eating Disorders Too
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10 million males in the United States suffer from an eating disorder at some time in their life (National Eating Disorders Association, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org). For a fact sheet on eating disorders among males, check out this website! |
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BODY IMAGE
Body Positive
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We Are the Real Deal
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Eating Disorder Hope
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BOOKS AND OTHER MEDIA
Gurze
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America the Beautiful
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FIND TREATMENT
Something Fishy
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ED Referral
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Pale Reflections
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National Organizations
National Eating Disorders Association
- Programs and events
- Information, news, research
- How to get involved
Massachusetts Treatment Facilities
Walden Behavioral Care
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Cambridge Eating Disorder Center
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Klarman Eating Disorders Center
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Massachusetts Organizations
I.CARED
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Multiservice Eating DIsorders Association
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Eating for Life Alliance
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SmarT PHone Apps
Recovery Record
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iCOunselor: Eating Disorder
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SUPPORT GROUPS
NATIONAL
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National
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MASSACHUSETTS
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