It's My Life . Body . Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders: Thin At All Costs?

We've all heard that "it's what's on the inside that counts," right? But let's face it. As soon as you switch on the TV or flip through a magazine...Wham! You're hit with images of models and celebs whose lives seem as picture perfect as their looks. Everywhere you turn, the message seems to be that a thin, trim body can be the answer to all of your problems.

Sometimes these thoughts about body image can get pretty serious...so much that some people develop an "eating disorder." Eating disorders are very dangerous and can really damage someone's health. Here are just a few problems caused by eating disorders:

malnutrition (the body isn't getting the nutrients it needs to work properly)
dehydration (the body isn't getting the fluids it needs to work properly)
loss of muscle
diabetes
hair loss
death (if an eating disorder goes on for a long time)

Eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder affect over five million people! In fact, 1 out of every 100 young women between the ages of 10 and 20 suffer from an eating disorder. The more you know about these illnesses will make you better able to help yourself and people you love.