Eating Disorders: Beyond a few pounds

Eating disorders, which usually affect young women, are characterized by a distorted body image—the person believes she is overweight even when she isn't. This belief leads to severe food restriction (anorexia nervosa) or a cycle of bingeing and purging (bulimia nervosa). Another hallmark of an eating disorder is denial—the person claims that he or she is not engaging in these behaviors or denies that there is anything wrong with them. If you know somebody with an eating disorder, or if you suspect a friend has one, offer your support and urge your friend to get help as soon as possible. Eating disorders can be very dangerous, but they do respond well to appropriate treatment. Remember, too, that people with eating disorders cannot help engaging in disordered behavior; these illnesses are not by choice. Reach out to your friends with eating disorders—your support can help them to recover.