OPPapers.com

Compare And Contrast The Problems Society Encounters With Eating Disorders Such As Anorexia And Obesity.

Food is a necessary part of all our lives. Many people experiment with food by becoming a vegan or trying out the latest dieting trend, and this within reason is generally accepted as being normal. However, eating patterns can become damaging and food can be abused. If an eating pattern begins to get erratic; perhaps eating too much or not at all, then the individual may be in danger of developing an eating disorder. The problems society encounters from these disorders will be investigated, taking into consideration, the causes, different types of disorders, economic damage, health problems and treatments.
To fully understand the problems within society, the meaning of eating disorders must clearly be explained. Contrary to what is often society’s perception, eating disorders are not primarily about food. They are symptoms of underlying emotional and psychological disorders and as such, have a huge impact on the lives of sufferers and their carers (Orbach, 1998). Anorexia Nervosa is often thought to be the most serious of these disorders, with sufferers practicing self-starvation (Orbach, 1998). Whilst they will not have lost their appetite, they lose the ability to allow themselves to satisfy it. Eating disorders are often described as an outward expression of internal emotional pain and confusion (Gross, 2005). Obsessive thoughts about, and the behaviour associated with food are maladaptive means of dealing with emotional distress is often to do with a negative perception of self, a feeling of being able to change bad things about oneself (Gross, 2005). Food is used as an inappropriate way of taking control. An eating disorder involves a distorted pattern of thinking about food and size/weight. There is preoccupation and obsession with food, as well as an issue of control, or the lack of control around food and its consumption. There are several recognised eating disorders which can be described as follows (Gross, 2005).
Anorexia is characterised...