Why Eating Disorders Should Be Taught In Education

Eating disorders - the highest mortality rate out of any mental illness - why education systems should be focusing on the matter.

Its probably important to first understand what exactly is categorized as an eating disorder.

If you ask Websters Dictionary, it will be defined as "any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits (such as anorexia nervosa)."

Now you may be wondering how many are impacted by this mental illness

Eating disorders affect over 30 million individuals of all ages and genders. Although they are most commonly seen in young woman between the ages of twelve to twenty-five.

Such a dangerous illness must be harmful to ones body, right?

According to the National Association of Eating Disorders, "In anorexia nervosa’s cycle of self-starvation, the body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally. Thus, the body is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy."

"The recurrent binge-and-purge cycles of bulimia can affect the entire digestive system and can lead to electrolyte and chemical imbalances in the body that affect the heart and other major organ functions. "

These resulting in many complications throughout the body and could ultimately result in death.

Unfortunately, statistics show eating disorders developing at a much faster rate and even younger ages.

The National Association of Eating Disorder distributed a statistic stating that the occurrence of incidences of people who have anorexia or bulimia has triple in each decade since the 1980's.

With eating disorders occurring at such young ages, negative forms of education are more influential

Via myproana.com

Currently, the most popular website regarding eating disorders on the web is called myproana.com. This site provides one with tip and strategies to maintain ones eating disorder and tricks to hide it from others. It is an encouraging site that people follow religiously. A site that promotes mental illness is not something that should exist.

It is important for younger generations to be taught about this mental disease

The earlier educators can distribute information about eating disorders and health to the younger populations, the more awareness can be brought to the topic. When discussing such a serious and relevant issue. Eating disorders is the mental illness with the highest mortality rate because it is so dangerous.

If educators were to integrate eating disorders into the curriculum

Virginia is one of the only states to implement it as a serious issue into their curriculum and athletic standpoints. With knowing how susceptible this age range is to the disease they are benefiting the well being of the adolescents. "It is our hope that other states will follow this forward-thinking effort and that the legislation will serve as a model for the rest of the country." With this being said, the initiation of this in one state will hopefully have effects on others to do the same.

Of course not everyone may agree with this..

Researchers may claim that there is no set way to prevent an eating disorder, that their are only methods to treat it. But many call B.S.

To make a change something needs to be done.

The lack of support shown from schools and athletic programs is something that has to be addressed. Although there is no concrete proof that proves early knowledge of the subject will help, speaking of the matter is very important. Something as serious as an eating disorder should be more openly discussed. Young people should not have to rely on negative sources of information that concern serious matters.