This week marks the 2021 NEDA Week. NEDA Week is the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week held by the National Eating Disorders Association. The goal of NEDA is to spread awareness and educating the public on the serious illness that is eating disorders.
Eating disorders consist of so much more than just over-exercising, under-eating, over-eating, or purging. There are so many types of eating disorders and they are so much more common than most people would think.
The most recognized types of eating disorders consist of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge eating disorder, Pica, Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, and general disordered eating.
According to NEDA 41.5% of female athletes in aesthetic based sports including swimming, gymnastics, dance, figure skating, and cheerleading have reported struggling with disorder eating. In fact, eating disorders are considered to be one of the most deadly mental illnesses.
In anorexia alone the high cholesterol that is seen in many patients can lead to heart attacks and organ failure from dangerous weights. According to associates like Nephrology & Hypertension Medical Associates, severe bulimia can lead to issues as serious as tooth decay and kidney failure. Also, individuals with BED are at higher risk for health problems including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart and digestive problems.
As this week is coming to a close, it can be beneficial to take some time to learn more about eating disorders and how and how many it may affect.
