Eating disorders are a problem that affects many people in the world today. An eating disorder is an obsession with weight and food that has become so extreme that it jeopardizes a person's health. (Divine Caroline, 1) Eating disorders affect many people around the world, the majority being women between the ages of twelve and eighteen. (Recovery from Eating Disorders, 4) Eating disorders are considered a psychological illness and can originate from external influences, coping skills, personality traits, genes, culture, metabolism, and mental instability. (Eating Disorder Recovery, 2) 20% of people who suffer from eating disorders do not seek help and die from their illness, which can be prevented with the use of treatments such as psychotherapy, rehabilitation centers, medications and support from those around them. With these treatments and support systems, eating disorders can be overcome and the patient can safely return to health. More than eight million people in the United States suffer from some type of eating disorder, ninety percent of them are women. (Divine Caroline, 1) Studies show that an individual with a close relative suffering from an eating disorder is five times more likely to develop one. (Divine Caroline, 2) The signs of a person with an eating disorder are not always obvious. Symptoms include things like eating large amounts of food at one time, eating in secret, disappearing after meals, exercising more than necessary, transparent teeth, sunken eyes, and substantial weight loss without cause. Eating disorders vary in type, but the most commonly observed ones are Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. Bulimia nervosa is considered a "trendy" disorder... middle of paper... tastes as good as it feels thin. "Works Cited" Compulsive Eating Disorder - Missouri." Castlewood Treatment Center.2010: pages 1 -219 September 2011.http://www.castlewoodtc.com“Special Report- Practical Guide to Eating Disorders.”Eating Disorder Recovery 2010: pages 1-819 September 2011. http://www.eatingdisordersrecovery.infoU.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”Bulimia Nervosa,” June 15, 2009. Pages 1-6, September 13, 2011. http://www. .womenshealth.govU.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Binge Eating Disorder” June 15, 2009 pages 1-313 September 2011. http://www.womenshealth.govhttp://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/ eating-disorders.htmlhttp://www .eatingdisorderfoundation.org/EatingDisorders.htmhttp://www.treatmentsolutionsnetwork.com/anorexia-treatment-recovery.html