 Health Consequences
of Eating Disorders
- Eating disorders are serious, potentially
life-threatening conditions that affect a person's emotional
and physical health.
- Eating disorders are not just a "fad"
or a "phase." People do not just "catch"
an eating disorder for a period of time. They are real,
complex, and devastating conditions that can have serious
consequences for health, productivity, and relationships.
- People struggling with an eating disorder
need to seek professional help. The earlier a person with
an eating disorder seeks treatment, the greater the likelihood
of physical and emotional recovery.
Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa:
In anorexia nervosa's cycle of self-starvation, the body is
denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally.
Thus, the body is forced to slow down all of its processes to
conserve energy, resulting in serious medical consequences:
- Abnormally slow heart rate and low
blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing.
The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood
pressure levels sink lower and lower.
- Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis),
which results in dry, brittle bones.
- Muscle loss and weakness.
- Severe dehydration, which can result
in kidney failure.
- Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
- Dry hair and skin, hair loss is common.
- Growth of a downy layer of hair called
lanugo all over the body, including the face, in an effort
to keep the body warm.
Health Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa:
The recurrent binge-and-purge cycles of bulimia can affect the
entire digestive system and can lead to electrolyte and chemical
imbalances in the body that affect the heart and other major
organ functions. Some of the health consequences of bulimia
nervosa include:
- Electrolyte imbalances that can lead
to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.
Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration and loss
of potassium and sodium from the body as a result of purging
behaviors.
- Potential for gastric rupture during
periods of bingeing.
- Inflammation and possible rupture
of the esophagus from frequent vomiting.
- Tooth decay and staining from stomach
acids released during frequent vomiting.
- Chronic irregular bowel movements
and constipation as a result of laxative abuse.
Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis.
Health Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder: Binge eating disorder
often results in many of the same health risks associated with
clinical obesity. Some of the potential health consequences
of binge eating disorder include:
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol levels.
- Heart disease as a result of elevated
triglyceride levels.
- Secondary diabetes.
- Gallbladder disease.
For more information, contact Eating Disorders
Awareness and Prevention, Inc. at 603 Stewart St., Suite 803,
Seattle, WA 98101,
1-800-931-2237. www.edap.org © 2000 EDAP. This handout
may be copied for educational purposes only.
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