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Comparison Of Anorexia And Bulimia

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Anorexia and Bulimia

Modern Western Culture is obsessed with and emphasizes thinness. As such, media often over exploits thin models and actors. In our culture success and worth are often equated with being thin. So many people of all ages are finding themselves fighting eating disorders because of this obsession with being thin. The top two eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders (ANAD), there are approximately twenty-four million people suffering from an eating disorder. (anad.org)
It is amazing how these disorders are psychological. While anorexia is not really about food; it is an unhealthy way to try and cope with emotional problems. When you have it you often equate thinness with self-worth, so they have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat even if they are under weight. Or they may have an extreme drive for perfectionism, which means they may never think they're thin enough. Whereas with bulimia they are preoccupied with their weight and body shape, and judge their self severely and harshly for their self-perceived flaws. Because it's related to self-image — and not just about food. (Web) (Mayoclinic.org) or (Anad.org) …show more content…
People with anorexia pursue losing weight despite looking very thin and emaciated. To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia starve themselves or exercise excessively. Whereas with bulimia they binge eat. Bulimia can be categorized in two ways: Purging bulimia you regularly self-induce vomiting or misuse laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating. No purging bulimia you use other methods to rid their self of calories and prevent weight gain, such as fasting, strict dieting or excessive exercise. They might not even appear underweight, but actually may be normal weight or even overweight. (Web) (Mayoclinic.org) or

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