81 Do you know how many people in the world suffer from eating disorders? a. About 7 million; b. About 70 million; c. about 700 million. Girls are more than two times as likely to struggle with eating disorders than boys. 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25. Almost 50% of people with eating disorders meet the criteria for depression. Only 1 in 10 men and women with eating disorders receive treatment. binge: abbuffata lack: mancanza loss: perdita stroke: ictus to purge: purgare 162 ADOLESCENTS FOOD DISORDERS Eating disorders are a range of psychological conditions that cause the development of unhealthy eating habits. Most people who have or have had an eating disorder were diagnosed in adolescence . This might start with an obsession with food or body weight but in severe cases, it can cause serious health consequences and may even result in death. Some of the most common disorders are the following. Anorexia nervosa People with anorexia nervosa view themselves as overweight even though they are underweight. They tend to constantly monitor their weight, avoid eating certain types of food, and severely restrict their calories. Sometimes, they may control calorie intake by vomiting after eating or by using laxatives, diet aids or diuretics, exercising excessively. Anorexia may lead to extreme weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, absence of menstruation, poor circulation, and hair loss. Its causes are not fully understood; there is probably a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Recovery from anorexia may take time and is different for everyone, but the support of family has a crucial role. Bulimia nervosa People with bulimia nervosa frequently eat unusually large amounts of food at a time. Each binge eating episode usually continues until the person becomes painfully full. Then, they attempt to purge to compensate for the calories consumed. The severity of bulimia is determined by the number of times a week a person purges. In severe cases, bulimia can also create an imbalance of chemicals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. This can cause a stroke or heart attack. The exact cause of bulimia is unknown it may be a combination of genetic factors and learned behaviours. Treatments may include psychotherapy, nutritional counselling, specific drugs, and support groups. Binge eating disorder Teenagers with a binge eating disorder have symptoms similar to those of bulimia: they typically eat unusually large amounts of food in relatively short periods of time and feel a lack of control during binges. However, they do not restrict calories or use purging behaviours. Experts don t know the exact cause of binge eating disorder: people may use food to cope with difficult feelings. Therapy options include cognitive behavioural therapy, weight loss therapy, and medication.