NATURALNATURAL SCIENCESSCIENCES PROYECTPROYECT

HOWHOW ANOREXIAANOREXIA ANDAND BULIMIABULIMIA AFFECTAFFECT ININ THETHE

MENSTRUALMENSTRUAL CYCLECYCLE

ANOREXIAANOREXIA

• Weight loss causes loss of menstrual function (amenorrhea) and Weight loss causes loss of menstrual function (amenorrhea) and weight gain restores menstrual cycles. A minimal weight for height weight gain restores menstrual cycles. A minimal weight for height necessary for the onset of or the restoration of menstrual cycles in necessary for the onset of or the restoration of menstrual cycles in cases of primary or secondary amenorrhea due to undernutrition is cases of primary or secondary amenorrhea due to undernutrition is indicated by an index of fatness of normal girls at menarche and at indicated by an index of fatness of normal girls at menarche and at age 18 years, respectively. Amenorrheic patients of ages 16 years age 18 years, respectively. Amenorrheic patients of ages 16 years and over resume menstrual cycles after weight gain at a heavier and over resume menstrual cycles after weight gain at a heavier weight for a particular height than is found at menarche. Girls weight for a particular height than is found at menarche. Girls become relatively and absolutely fatter from menarche to age 18 become relatively and absolutely fatter from menarche to age 18 years. The data suggest that a minimum level of stored, easily years. The data suggest that a minimum level of stored, easily mobilized energy is necessary for ovulation and menstrual cycles in mobilized energy is necessary for ovulation and menstrual cycles in the human female.the human female.

• What is Anorexia Nervosa?What is Anorexia Nervosa?• Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person intentionally limits the intake of food or Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person intentionally limits the intake of food or

beverage because of a strong drive for thinness and an intense fear of gaining weight. This can beverage because of a strong drive for thinness and an intense fear of gaining weight. This can happen even if a person is already thin. The perception of body weight and shape is distorted happen even if a person is already thin. The perception of body weight and shape is distorted and has an unduly strong influence on a person’s self-concept. The resulting weight loss and and has an unduly strong influence on a person’s self-concept. The resulting weight loss and nutritional imbalance can lead to serious complications, including death.nutritional imbalance can lead to serious complications, including death.

• Obsessions and anxiety about food and weight may cause monotonous eating rituals, including Obsessions and anxiety about food and weight may cause monotonous eating rituals, including reluctance to be seen eating by others. It is not uncommon for people with anorexia nervosa to reluctance to be seen eating by others. It is not uncommon for people with anorexia nervosa to collect recipes and prepare food for family and friends, but not partake in the food that they collect recipes and prepare food for family and friends, but not partake in the food that they prepared. They may also adhere to strict, intensive exercise routines to lose or keep off weight.prepared. They may also adhere to strict, intensive exercise routines to lose or keep off weight.

• What Causes Anorexia Nervosa?What Causes Anorexia Nervosa?• Anorexia nervosa does not have a single cause, but is related to many different factors. These Anorexia nervosa does not have a single cause, but is related to many different factors. These

factors are sometimes divided into predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors, that factors are sometimes divided into predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors, that make a person vulnerable to develop, trigger the onset, and maintain the eating disorder, make a person vulnerable to develop, trigger the onset, and maintain the eating disorder, respectively.  Anorexia nervosa often begins as simple dieting to "get in shape" or to "eat respectively.  Anorexia nervosa often begins as simple dieting to "get in shape" or to "eat healthier" but progresses to extreme and unhealthy weight loss. Social attitudes toward body healthier" but progresses to extreme and unhealthy weight loss. Social attitudes toward body appearance, family influences, genetics, and neurochemical and developmental factors may appearance, family influences, genetics, and neurochemical and developmental factors may contribute to the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa. A personal or family history contribute to the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa. A personal or family history of anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive habits is common. Although families in which of anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive habits is common. Although families in which anorexia nervosa occurs were once labeled as having difficulties with conflict resolution, rigidity, anorexia nervosa occurs were once labeled as having difficulties with conflict resolution, rigidity, intrusiveness, and over-protectiveness, it is now clear that parents do intrusiveness, and over-protectiveness, it is now clear that parents do notnot cause eating disorders. cause eating disorders. Research suggests that certain areas of the brain function different with an active eating disorderResearch suggests that certain areas of the brain function different with an active eating disorder

BULIMIABULIMIA

• Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa • What is Bulimia Nervosa?What is Bulimia Nervosa?• Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person engages in uncontrollable episodes of Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person engages in uncontrollable episodes of

overeating (bingeing) usually followed by intentionally vomiting (sometimes called purging), overeating (bingeing) usually followed by intentionally vomiting (sometimes called purging), misuse of laxatives, enemas, fasting, or excessive exercise to control weight. Bingeing, in this misuse of laxatives, enemas, fasting, or excessive exercise to control weight. Bingeing, in this situation, is defined as eating much larger amounts of food than would normally be consumed situation, is defined as eating much larger amounts of food than would normally be consumed within a short period of time (usually less than two hours). Eating binges may occur as often as within a short period of time (usually less than two hours). Eating binges may occur as often as several times a day but are most common in the evening and night hours. Due to the shame, guilt several times a day but are most common in the evening and night hours. Due to the shame, guilt and disgust a person with bulimia nervosa often feels, bingeing and purging behaviors are often and disgust a person with bulimia nervosa often feels, bingeing and purging behaviors are often done in secret and the evidence of these behaviors may be hidden for months.done in secret and the evidence of these behaviors may be hidden for months.

• What Causes Bulimia Nervosa?What Causes Bulimia Nervosa?• Bulimia Nervosa does not have a single cause. Rather, various factors culminate in to make an Bulimia Nervosa does not have a single cause. Rather, various factors culminate in to make an

individual vulnerable to develop and maintain the eating disorder. Social attitudes toward body individual vulnerable to develop and maintain the eating disorder. Social attitudes toward body appearance, family influences, genetics, past traumatic experiences, and neurochemical and appearance, family influences, genetics, past traumatic experiences, and neurochemical and developmental factors may contribute to the development and maintenance of bulimia nervosa. developmental factors may contribute to the development and maintenance of bulimia nervosa. Moreover, recent research suggests that certain areas of the brain function differently with an Moreover, recent research suggests that certain areas of the brain function differently with an active eating disorder. A personal or family history of substance abuse, anxiety, depression or active eating disorder. A personal or family history of substance abuse, anxiety, depression or suicide is common. It is now clear that suicide is common. It is now clear that

• Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa • What is Bulimia Nervosa?What is Bulimia Nervosa?• Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person engages in uncontrollable episodes of Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person engages in uncontrollable episodes of

overeating (bingeing) usually followed by intentionally vomiting (sometimes called purging), overeating (bingeing) usually followed by intentionally vomiting (sometimes called purging), misuse of laxatives, enemas, fasting, or excessive exercise to control weight. Bingeing, in this misuse of laxatives, enemas, fasting, or excessive exercise to control weight. Bingeing, in this situation, is defined as eating much larger amounts of food than would normally be consumed situation, is defined as eating much larger amounts of food than would normally be consumed within a short period of time (usually less than two hours). Eating binges may occur as often as within a short period of time (usually less than two hours). Eating binges may occur as often as several times a day but are most common in the evening and night hours. Due to the shame, guilt several times a day but are most common in the evening and night hours. Due to the shame, guilt and disgust a person with bulimia nervosa often feels, bingeing and purging behaviors are often and disgust a person with bulimia nervosa often feels, bingeing and purging behaviors are often done in secret and the evidence of these behaviors may be hidden for months.done in secret and the evidence of these behaviors may be hidden for months.

• What Causes Bulimia Nervosa?What Causes Bulimia Nervosa?• Bulimia Nervosa does not have a single cause. Rather, various factors culminate in to make an Bulimia Nervosa does not have a single cause. Rather, various factors culminate in to make an

individual vulnerable to develop and maintain the eating disorder. Social attitudes toward body individual vulnerable to develop and maintain the eating disorder. Social attitudes toward body appearance, family influences, genetics, past traumatic experiences, and neurochemical and appearance, family influences, genetics, past traumatic experiences, and neurochemical and developmental factors may contribute to the development and maintenance of bulimia nervosa. developmental factors may contribute to the development and maintenance of bulimia nervosa. Moreover, recent research suggests that certain areas of the brain function differently with an Moreover, recent research suggests that certain areas of the brain function differently with an active eating disorder. A personal or family history of substance abuse, anxiety, depression or active eating disorder. A personal or family history of substance abuse, anxiety, depression or suicide is common. It is now clear that parents do suicide is common. It is now clear that parents do notnot cause eating disorders but family support is cause eating disorders but family support is essential for recovery.essential for recovery.

• Problems that anorexia and bulimia can cause in Problems that anorexia and bulimia can cause in menstrual cyclemenstrual cycle

• Eating disorders profoundly impact an individual's quality Eating disorders profoundly impact an individual's quality of l i fe. Self-image, relationships, physical well-being and of l i fe. Self-image, relationships, physical well-being and day to day l iving are often adversely affected. Eating day to day l iving are often adversely affected. Eating disorders are also often associated with mood disorders, disorders are also often associated with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. Bulimia anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. Bulimia nervosa may be particularly associated with substance nervosa may be particularly associated with substance abuse problems. Anorexia nervosa is often associated abuse problems. Anorexia nervosa is often associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.  The scope of with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.  The scope of related problems associated with eating disorders related problems associated with eating disorders highlights the need for prompt treatment and intervention.highlights the need for prompt treatment and intervention.

What causes anorexia nervosa?The cause of anorexia nervosa is not known. Anorexia nervosa usually can begin

as innocent dieting or increased exercising for health or fitness, but then progresses to extreme and unhealthy weight loss. Genetic factors may play a role in increasing the risk for anorexia nervosa. Other mental health problems, such as

anxiety disorders or affective disorders, are commonly found in teens with anorexia nervosa.