The importance of proper balanced meals throughout the day has always been emphasized upon by nutritionists. Unfortunately the present young generation fails to realize this fact often leading to eating disorders, teens being the worst hit. There are many factors that contribute this and over a period of time the effects start showing.
Many of the reasons that lead to eating disorders can be said to be affected by the society we live in, especially the urban one.
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In fact, with the expansion in communication systems and the reach of the media this trend can be found in smaller towns also. Having a well-shaped body is taking priority over a well-shaped mind and in order to achieve this goal meals are compromised upon.
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Not paying attention to ones meals or paying too much attention can have adverse effects showing dangerous signs – anorexia being quite a common one these days. As parents, caretakers, school teachers and all those taking care of children, especially teenagers, it is very important to understand the various facts related to eating disorders and help the young generation move out of it. At times the condition can be so bad that medication may be required to overcome the condition.
What are eating disorders?
An extreme of anything is considered to be unhealthy and the same applies to food. All of us agree that food should be had in proper quantity and at appropriate times of the day. Each meal should be a perfect balance of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. When this is upset to either have too much or too little it should be recognized as an eating disorder. This leads to an imbalance in the body which the body fails to adapt to and what follows are various types of ailments, at times life threatening ones. As per current findings and signs anorexia is one of the most common types of disorders in eating.
What causes eating disorders?
In the present day scenario one of the biggest causes of eating disorders – teens, young adults and even children included – can be sourced to factors such as:
• low self-esteem
• self-image concerns
• desire to imitate role models
• fear of weight gain
• feeling of negligence
• overcoming disappointments
• depression
As we can see here, most of the causes can be attributed to the changes that have taken place in the society. Good appearance is mostly associated with a lean and well sculpted body. In order to achieve that lean and thin look youngsters often tend to skip meals, count every morsel of food intake, constantly monitor what they eat and try to eat as little as possible.
What are the effects of eating disorders?
Needless to say, anything done to upset meals is sure to bring adverse effects upon the body. Every one, at every stage in life requires a certain level of balanced food intake. In event of an eating disorder effects start showing up at early stages and if ignored can go beyond the early signs to more serious signs.
When trying to look for early signs of eating disorder it is important to look out for signs such as fatigue, dizziness, irritable behaviors, constipation, sleeping disorder, lack of concentration and irregular menstrual cycles among girls.
If these signs are ignored serious conditions can develop and the person may soon be suffering from depression, anemia, tooth decay, loss of hair, muscle thinning, bone loss and slow growth rate. It can often take fatal turns too.
It is the duty of youngsters to realize the importance of balanced meals and adults should see to it that youngsters do not play havoc with their food. If we allow eating disorders among teens and the later generations they will soon be left a crippled lot.