The Big Answer

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Eating disorders are serious medical problems. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are all types of eating disorders. Eating disorders often evolve during adolescence or early adulthood, but eating disorders can occur in kids or later on in adulthood.

Anorexic—Eating disorders are on the rise among children as well as among teenagers and adults

Eating disorders are on the rise among children as well as among teenagers, according to a report published in Pediatrics Monday. (Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics) Disorders like anorexia and bulimia are increasing in male kids as well as minorities. These eating disorders are beginning younger—before the age of 12. The Pediatrics report also estimates that 0.5 percent of teenage girls in the United States have anorexia nervosa, and 1 percent to 2 percent have bulimia nervosa. Males make up about 10 percent of all those with eating disorders.

This increase in eating disorders is concomitant with another ugly trend: 17 percent of kids and adolescents aged 2 to 19 meet the criteria for being obese. “During the past decade, the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has also increased dramatically, accompanied by further emphasis on dieting and weight loss among children and adolescents,” reported Dr. David Rosen. (Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics). Overall, it can be asserted that during the past 20 years, there has been a great increase in obesity in the United States and the rates remain high. More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of kids and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese. (Source: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/facts.html)

More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of kids and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese

U.S. adult obesity 2009 to 2010

One quarter of Americans eat fast food daily. Americans spend $100 billion on fast food every year. (Source: http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-american-eating-habits)

They call it 'fast food' since it can rapidly make you unhealthy