To Eat or Not to Eat? That Is the Question

To Eat or Not to Eat In the twenty first century people have managed to clone animals and transplant organs but they still have not managed to cope with many serious diseases. Some of the most widely spread are the eating disorders – such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Even though many people underestimate them, they are extremely dangerous and even fatal. In order to prevent eating disorders, we should learn more about them. First of all, everyone can be affected by such diseases regardless their age, gender, race and place of living.
However, the risk is higher, if one`s parents suffered from an eating disorder or if one is engaged with for instance dancing, modelling or cooking. It is worth mentioning that the psychological factor plays a very important role. Many young girls ‘give up’ eating because they want to look like the girls from the fashion magazines and the TV. But something that has started as an innocent diet or a bit of overweight, may destroy one`s health and life. There are a lot of types of eating disorders – the most notorious being anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
Anorexia nervosa is characterised with an extremely strong desire for losing weight and fear of gaining weight. It is believed social and family factors cause that condition. Nowadays society exerts a lot of pressure on people, especially girls and young women, to be thin and good looking. Many start starvation diets and become obsessed with their weight which can easily lead to anorexia nervosa. Most people who suffer from it do not realise that they have a problem and believe they are obese even though their body mass is less than 35kg. One of the most extreme examples is that of Lauren Bailey who dropped below 20kg.

Fortunately, she managed to cope with her terrible condition unlike many other women. Bulimia nervosa is characterised with periods of extreme overeating and binging followed by guilt and depression that usually lead to intentional vomiting. It is another example of eating disorder caused by social and family factors. However, many people who have digestive problems may also suffer from bulimia nervosa. These are people who haven`t found medical solution of their problems and try to find one themselves. This condition may cause more problems with the digestive system, affect the teeth, the hair and the nails.
Some celebrities that have had problems with bulimia are Lady Diana, lady Gaga and Sir Elton John. Binge eating disorder is characterised with over consumption of food even when one is not hungry, obesity and feeling of guilt. This condition is usually caused by depression and different problems at work or in the family. People start eating more and more to feel better. The affected are usually ashamed of themselves, tend to hide and eat alone. This disease may cause diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, bone deterioration, stroke and even death. The seven-year-old Jessica Gaude is regarded as the fattest child in the world with her 222kg.
These are only a few examples of the seventy million registered cases of eating disorders. However, if all these people receive help that will make them realise their condition and they may change their way of living forever. All types of eating disorders involve unhealthy way of eating that begins gradually and reaches the point when it is extremely difficult to turn back. Everyone can fall victim to such diseases, so we should be careful with the people around us – our relatives and friends. If some of them suffer from an eating disorder they may not even realise it, so we ought to help them because this may save their lives.