1. Discussion Question 1

1. Discussion Question 1

What are some of the health problems associated with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder? Explain, from a physiological standpoint, how eating disorders may lead to health problems. Give at least three examples to support your answer.

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder are all forms of disturbances of human eating behaviour which are mostly caused by psychological reasons but can greatly affect the person physiologically. All of these eating disorders can lead to health problems as the body will be depleted or will be deprived of some of the required nutrition and substances needed to maintain health. Obviously, when the body does not get the nourishment it needs, it will make the body to cover up for the deficiency temporarily. The organ systems will be affected leading to disruptions of the proper functioning and the immune system will be weakened which will compromise the general health of the individual.

For example in anorexia nervosa, inadequate fluid and electrolytes intake will lead to dehydration, low blood levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphate which can lead to developing rebound edema, metabolic acidosis which can become complicated and involve the different system especially the cardiovascular system causing low blood pressure and many abnormalities of the heart functions.

Similarly, bulimia nervosa will have the same physiological mechanism as binge eating followed by purging which can lead to imbalanced body nourishment leading to malnutrition, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and osteoporosis in case of inadequacy of calcium intake.

Binge eating disorder prominent physiological effect is increase of weight and developing obesity due to excessive extra calories taken from binge eating.

2. Discussion Question 2

Post your response to this question: Visit the American Obesity Awareness Web site at http://naaso.org/information/factsheets.asp and read about the health effects of obesity. What does the Web site tell you about obesity that you were not aware of before? Explain what you have learned.

The mentioned website mentioned many effects of obesity. Among the common effects include increased sickness absence to work or school as the impacts of being overweight. Obesity generally can cause some deterioration of general health and can cause many specific obesity-related disorders which will an individual to call off sick. Most importantly, obesity can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These can be explained by many different unwanted effects as caused by obesity. Obesity can increase the risk of building up high unwanted cholesterol levels. With obesity, the risk of developing high blood pressure is also increased as the blood vessels are narrowed due to fats and plaques deposits. An obese individual will be on a high risk of developing Coronary artery disease and other heart diseases which at the worst can lead to infarctions and cardiac arrest if untreated promptly. With obesity, there is also an increased risk of development of many related diseases such as diabetes mellitus.

It was fun to know some facts and fictions stated in the site and I was not aware of the fact that lack of seatbelt use can be added to the list of risk factors associated with obesity. I did not realize until then that moving to a new location can be a predisposing factor of gaining extra pounds.

I learned many things from my reading. I was more clarified on the health impacts of obesity and I learned some factors associated to cause obesity such mental disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, and the impacts of different ages.