You might recall the negative publicity Calvin Klein received with their ad depicting a pale, thin, drawn looking woman slouching against a bathroom wall. A major corporation glamorized the look of a strung out junkie for the purpose of selling their product. Fortunately, there was a strong public response denouncing this form of advertisement. Unfortunately, the damage was done. Thousands of young girls and women viewed this ad before it was taken off the air.

The societal pressure on young women is tremendous. Daily, women are being bombarded with reminders of how they should look. Yet, this look is unrealistic and unhealthy. Hence, the lollipop heads.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) more than 5 million Americans suffer from eating disorders. Five percent of adolescent and adult women and 1% of men have anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder. Greater than 30 percent of college women suffer from a binge eating disorder. Fifteen percent of young women have substantially disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. An estimated one thousand women die each year of anorexia nervosa.

• Female gender
• Perfectionist, rigid, risk-avoidance personality traits
• Dieting
• Prior history of obesity or family history of obesity
• Personal or family history of drug/alcohol abuse
• Personal or family history of depression

• Significant weight loss (to less than 85% of ideal weight for height) or significant failure to gain weight normally.
• Denial of the seriousness of the weight loss or low body weight
• Distortion of how one's body is experienced
• Excessive influence of body and weight on self evaluation
• Intense fear of gaining weight, even when underweight
• Loss of menstruation or delayed onset of menses

• Cardiac abnormalities(slow heart rate, Disturbance in the heart's rhythm)
• Dangerously low blood pressure
• Dangerously low body temperature
• Low white blood cell count
• Chronic constipation
• Osteoporosis (brittle weak bones)
• Infertility
• Hair loss
• Nail destruction

• Episodic binge-eating (eating an unusually large amount of food within a certain period of time while feeling out of control)
• Episodic purge behavior, including vomiting, laxative use, diuretic use, or enemas to prevent weight gain; or fasting or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain
• Over-concern with body weight and shape

• Dental enamel erosion and cavities
• Swelling of cheeks, hands and feet
• Abdominal fullness, constipation, or diarrhea
• Abrasions on knuckles
• Headaches
• Fatigue

• Electrolyte and fluid abnormalities
• Dehydration
• Enlarged parotid glands (glands in the cheek associated with salivation)
• Destruction of dental enamel and cavities
• Bowel abnormalities

Early treatment can be the key to preventing the medical complications resulting from eating disorders, and more importantly, can help the emotional distress and impaired social, academic and athletic functioning that these diseases cause.

Bulimia Nervosa can be effectively treated with psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, or a combination of the two. Treatment for anorexia nervosa usually requires long term psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, medical monitoring, and often antidepressant medication. Self-help groups can be extremely helpful for any eating disorder.