The Characteristics, Risks, Effects, and Pathophysiology of Eating Disorders -A Review of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Abstract

Abstract: Over the past few centuries, the importance of fitness has gained prominence. Coupled with this is the idea of thinness or the need to be slender and lean as an ideal body type. Thinness and fitness are not the same but are conflated in most messages about being fit. Many individuals, especially adolescents, have been influenced by the ongoing diet culture and social media. They have an ideal body or physique and are increasingly concerned about their weight, shape, size, and body image. As an attempt to lose weight and reach their goals, individuals go to extremes and try to starve themselves and/or excessively exercise, self-induce vomiting, or misuse products like laxatives, diuretics and enemas. Starvation or other psychological discomforts can cause one to binge-eat then purge and feel satisfied for a short period of time, but it eventually leads to selfloathing. This can severely affect the individual both physically and psychologically. As this cycle continues, an eating disorder is developed. Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa are the most widely recognized, and common eating disorders. Although there is little known about the pathophysiology of eating disorders, the evidence of eating disorders in the context of fitness and thinness, the potential genetic heritability, and developmentally specific age-of-onset shed some light on the aetiology of eating disorders. Research on various reactions of a brain neuropeptide called ⍺-melanocyte-stimulating-hormone (⍺-MSH), the gut microbiota and brain axis and, the monoamines- dopamine and serotonin aid in the understanding of the pathomechanisms behind eating disorders. This review aims to discuss the characteristics, risk factors, effects and the other features of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. It also elaborates on the pathophysiology of eating disorders