Risk Factors and Causes

Risk Factors of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

 Anorexia
-The thinning of bones (osteoporosis and osteopenia)
-Brittle nails and hair
-Yellowish skin and dryness
-Lanugo, growing of fine hair over the body
-Anemia, muscle loss and weakness
-Severe low blood pressure including slowed pulse and breathing
-Extremely large drop in blood temperature causing an individual to feel cold constantly


Bulimia
-Severe inflamed and sore throat
-Swollen glands in the jaw and neck
-Decaying teeth, increasingly sensitive teeth, worn tooth enamel
-Intestinal problems from laxative abuse
-Kidney complications from diuretic abuse
-Extreme dehydration from vomiting fluids



(American Psychiatric Association, 2005)

Causes

In today's society there are many different factors that can contribute to developing an eating disorder.  The media plays a large role in this.  Young women are more easily influenced by what they see on television than adults.  Magazines and movies portray a certain image that women are suppose to look like if they want to be considered beautiful.  These women are often airbrushed, wearing loads of make-up, and have had their flaws digitally corrected with camera tricks.  That being said, most young women do not take all of these factors into consideration and often  become depressed when they feel as though they cannot duplicate what they see.  This is when they may start dieting in hopes to become thin like the women they have seen.  Diets often fail and can lead to eating disorders.  Lack of self-esteem, mental illnesses, lack of support, and depression can all lead a young woman to a disorder.