Eating disorders are serious, potentially life threatening mental disorders that affect people of all ages, genders, races, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic groups. Eating disorders are caused by a combination of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. Certain groups and types of people are more at risk than others for developing an eating disorder. There has…
Tag: eat
Anorexia
Anorexia, or anorexia nervosa, is a life-threatening eating disorder characterized by significant weight loss due to the restriction of calorie intake.1 This extreme weight loss is accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight, denial of the seriousness of the weight loss, and perceiving one’s own body differently than reality.1 Anorexia affects all people regardless of class,…
Pica
The National Eating Disorders Association defines pica as “the recurrent eating of non-food substances that offer no nutritional value and are not part of a culturally sanctioned practice”.1 To be considered a disorder, this behavior must take place over at least one month.2 Some of these substances may include cloth, hair, wool, starch, soil, string,…
If Someone You Know Has an Eating Disorder
Eating disorders affect up to 30 million people of all ages and genders in the U.S.1 Eating disorders should be taken very seriously and can have very negative affects on people, including psychological damage as well as hospitalization. It can be difficult and uncomfortable to approach someone about their eating disorder, regardless of if you…
Swallowing Your Partner’s Ejaculate
Swallowing a partner’s ejaculate may be an erotic activity to some; however, others may find this activity unappealing. Choosing to swallow, spit out, or refrain from touching semen are all personal preferences that should be respected. For those who decide not to swallow their partner’s ejaculate, spitting out the ejaculate or withdrawing the penis before…