Replies

Reading a biography of Karen Carpenter should be mandatory for every adolescent female.

But for every Karen Carpenter who kills herself with excessively low weight, aren't there a hundred who are hurting or killing themselves with excessively high weight? Shouldn't we be attacking the more serions problem first?

Shouldn't we be attacking the more serions problem first?

Can't we do both?

serions?

Your point's made. Extremes in almost all respects (except patriotism and the protection of the unborn) are dangerous.

It is true that over eating can be very dangerous but it is not nearly as prevelent in our society. Anorexia and Bulimia are far more common. And a lot of overeaters or compulsive eaters binge and purge and can be more classified as bulimic. I'm truely not try to insult you but I think you ought to look at the sites below. There is a lot of good info on these and other sites and you might understand eating disorders better. Speaking as someone who has seen Anorexia up close it is a very scary and dangerous disease.

Statistics About Anorexia Nervosa: Approximately 90-95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are girls and women (Gidwani, 1997). Between 1-2% of American women suffer from anorexia nervosa (Zerbe, 1995). Anorexia nervosa is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses in young women (Hsu, 1996). Between 5-20% of individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa will die. The probabilities of death increases within that range depending on the length of the condition (Zerbe, 1995). Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest death rates of any mental health condition. Anorexia nervosa typically appears in early to mid-adolescence

Health Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa: Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death. Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration and loss of potassium and sodium from the body as a result of purging behaviors. Potential for gastric rupture during periods of bingeing. Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting. Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting. Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse. Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis. About Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia nervosa affects 1-3% of middle and high school girls and 1-4% of college age women. Approximately 80% of bulimia nervosa patients are female (Gidwani, 1997). People struggling with bulimia nervosa will often appear to be of average body weight. Often, people struggling with bulimia nervosa will develop complex schedules or rituals to provide opportunities for binge-and-purge sessions. Many people struggling with bulimia nervosa recognize that their behaviors are unusual and perhaps dangerous to their health.

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=337

http://www.raderprograms.com/index.htm