Question

Samira is a 22 year old female. She is very close to her ideal weight, but complains about being obese all the time. She tries to diet, and is constantly on very low calorie diets. She also has in her bag a famous herb product that helps her get rid of all the toxins in her body (or so she claims). She has been going through a tough time lately. She has a lot of studies and she works at the same time. She loves to eat alone. However, when faced with a crisis, her friends have noticed she starts to eat hungrily and does not stop. One of her friends even noticed she always goes to the toilet directly after her meal.

1. 1- Identify the type of eating disorder that Samira might be suffering from?

2. 2- List the different characteristics that justify your answer

3. 3- Mention one similarity and one difference between both types of eating

   disorders

4. 4- Define and explain the FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD?

5. 5- Mention two unhealthy consequences of EACH eating disorder

Answer 1

1. Eating disorders are a range of psychological conditions that cause unhealthy easting habits to develop. Based on the information provided Samira may be suffering from Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia nervosa.

2. Anorexia nervosa is characterised by people constantly viewing themselves as overweight even if they are underweight and avoid eating certain types of foods and severely restrict their calories. Bulimia nervosa is a eating disorder in which people are eating large quantity of uncontrolably until person becomes painfully full and then attempting to purge (vomit) to compensate for the calories consumed and relieve gut discomfort. Common purging behaviors are forced vomiting, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas and excessive exercise.

3. Both anorexia nervosa nad bulimia nervosa are eating disorders having similar symptoms such as distorted body image. However both are different food-related behaviors. In anorexia nervosa people severely reduce their food intake to lose weight. On the other hand people with bulimia nervosa eat an excessive amount of food in a short span of time and then purge or use other mothods to prevent weight gain.

4. The female athlete triad, a medical condition, is an interrelationship between menstrual dysfunction, low energy availability (with or without eating disorder) and decreased bone mineral density. This type of condition is relatively common in young women participating in sports.

5. The two unhealthy consequences of anorexia nervosa are extreme weight loss, insomnia, abnormal blood count, bkuish discolouration of fingers, absence of menstruation etc. People with anorexia tend to become overly emotional and decrease their self worth and confidence. Bulimia may cause inflamed sore throat, swollen salivary glands, worn tooth enamel, tooth decay, acid reflux, irritation of the gut, severe dehydration and hormonal disturbances. In severe cases it may also cause electrolyte balance and may also cause heart stroke.