What are the physical, social, emotional and intellectual challenges on health and development?

Physical: The following physical symptoms will become more severe the longer the disorder is present:

• Dry skin

• Dry or chapped lips

• Poor circulation resulting in pins and needles and/or purple extremities

• Headaches

• Brittle fingernails

• Bruising easily

• Frail appearance

• Endocrine disorder leading to cessation of periods in girls (amenorrhoea)

• Reduced metabolism

• Abnormally slow heart rate

• Low blood pressure

• Hypotension

• Hypothermia

• Anaemia (iron deficiency)

• Abdominal pain

• Oedema (retention of fluid giving a “puffy” appearance)

• Stunting of height and growth

• Fainting

Social Problems:

• Cultural pressures that glorify 'thinness' and place value on obtaining the 'perfect body'

• Narrow definitions of beauty that include only women and men of specific body weights and shapes

Cultural norms that value people on the basis of physical appearance

Emotional Issues:

• Low self esteem and loss of confidence

• Feelings of being ineffective and powerless

• Fear of losing control

• Mood swings

• Irritability

• Anxiety and depression

• Loneliness

• Feelings of being worthless

Intellectual Problems:

• Poor concentration

• Inability to think rationally

• Preoccupation with food, eating and exercise