Today in the US, more than 8 million people struggle with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or compulsive eating. Ninety percent of sufferers are female. Most began destructive eating patterns in their teens. Anorexics don't eat enough. They starve themselves, yet see their emaciated bodies as fat.
Bulimics eat large amounts of food in short periods of time.
Compulsive eaters constantly eat too much. They eat when they are not hungry. They may binge, but don't try to purge. Persons with any of these disorders tend to be moody and irritable, cry a lot, and weigh themselves constantly. They may use secrecy and lies to cover their eating behaviors.