Eating Disorders are becoming very popular with young adults and even young children. It is projected that there are about 2 million American women who are of the ages 19 to 39 and 1 million teenagers who are involved or affected by some type of symptom that relates to Anorexia or Bulimia. It has been estimated that 1 out of every 3 females aged 12 to 18 are affected by Anorexia. It is also found that Bulimia symptoms occur in 40 to 50 percent of eating disordered patients. About 1,000 victims die each year from these deadly eating disorders.
Anorexics die from starvation, malnutrition, cardiac arrest, or suicide.
Some of the reasons that young teens today are turning to eating disorders are because of the stress that they have or life situations that they deal with. Personal, social, and faulty perception of beauty are a few of the reasons why teens are at high risk for developing an eating disorder. Personal problems can stem from family situations such as divorce or abuse. There can also be emotional abuse at home or at school that can lead to Anorexia or Bulimia. Low self-esteem is one of the most crucial factors in the development of an eating disorder.