Anorexia (also known as anorexia nervosa) and bulimia (also known as bulimia nervosa) are two of the most common eating disorders in the U.K. These are also the most dangerous eating disorders as they can manifest immediate and future health concerns, sometimes long-range problems, depending upon how long the condition exists. If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, please don’t wait. Seek information now and get help.

1. Most Frequently Asked Questions
about Anorexia and Bulimia

2. Anorexia (also known as anorexia nervosa) and bulimia (also
known as bulimia nervosa) are two of the most common eating
disorders in the U.K. These are also the most dangerous eating
disorders as they can manifest immediate and future health
concerns, sometimes long-range problems, depending upon
how long the condition exists. If you or someone you know has
an eating disorder, please don’t wait. Seek information now and
get help.

3. To help you understand
more about these
eating disorders, here
are five of the most
frequently asked
questions about
anorexia and bulimia
answered:

4. Q 1. WHAT IS ANOREXIA?
Anorexia is a life-threatening eating disorder that is typically characterised
by a distorted body image, with a [unwarranted] fear of being overweight.
Because anorexics obsess about weight, they tend not to eat enough of what
is necessary for the body to maintain good health. Some skip their meals
altogether in order to lose weight. To restore normal weight and live a long,
healthy life, an anorexic must go through a specialised anorexia nervosa
treatment programme.

5. Q 2. WHAT IS BULIMIA?
Bulimia, like anorexia, can be life-threatening. This eating disorder is typically
characterised by binge eating, followed by ‘purging’ or using extreme methods to
avoid weight gain. These methods may include self-induced vomiting, abusing
laxatives, excessive exercising or fasting. There are specialised bulimia treatment
programmes available to help bulimics get faster and permanent recovery.
The majority of all anorexia and bulimia cases (about 9 out of 10) involve young
girls. These young girls are usually good students with pleasant personalities who
go out of their way to please others. Many are involved in social activities, sports,
clubs, etc.
Q 3. WHO IS AFFECTED BY THESE EATING DISORDERS?

6. Q 4. ARE THERE CERTAIN “AT-RISK” AGES?
There are two groups of ages that are higher at risk. There is the 11-13 age group,
and then there is the 16-18 age group. Both of these age groups are high-stress
ages where there are body development changes, the hormones kick in, and peer
pressure introduces itself, among other factors.
Eating disorders can be hereditary. If you know of someone in the family history
who had an eating disorder, watch those around you in the family. They are already
predisposed to having this condition. Another reason may be a lack of personal
security or self-esteem. Other reasons could be a painful trauma in their lives; loss
of a loved one, separation from a loved one, or abuse.
Q 5. WHY DO PEOPLE DEVELOP EATING DISORDERS?

7. If you suspect your child of having an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia, please take
them to an eating disorder clinic in London immediately. They need help NOW!
No matter why an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia is developed, it is important
to remember that the condition is not the core issue at hand. The eating disorder is
the cause of an underlying problem happening in the child’s life. This means that an
anorexic or bulimic probably will not be treated until the underlying core issue has
been resolved and brought out into the open.