FYI: Resource for Eating Disorders

It is important for parents and family members to educate themselves on eating disorders, especially if they have a teen or young adult who struggles with this type of challenge.

The following websites have useful information:
Beat: Beating Eating Disorder
National Eating Disorders Association

Eating disorders usually begin in adolescence between the ages of 15-19, with anorexia happening more often at a younger age and bulimia starting at an older age.
Women or girls are four times more likely to develop an eating disorder than men or boys.
90% of cases of anorexia occur in females. 
Bulimia falls under two types: purging and non-purging.  You don’t have to throw up or use laxatives to be diagnosed with bulimia.
1-3% of women suffer from bulimia.
Bulimia is much more common than anorexia.
Bulimia is easier to treat than anorexia.
There is no clear biological cause for eating disorders but there are some familial components – in other words, 1st degree relatives are more likely to have an eating disorder as well.
Risks include negative sense of self, distorted body image, low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsivity, depression, social avoidance and sense of being powerless.
Risks for family members include difficulty of understanding the disorder, self-blaming, guilt, being manipulated by the adolescent, anger, and feeling inadequate.
Substance use is more common among those with bulimia.
Anorexia in particular is a dangerous disease and can result in death.

Sometimes sexual trauma is involved:
Anorexia can be a way to avoid sexuality whereas bulimia can be about purging the perpetrator.  Weight gain armors and keeps one unattractive. 

Eating Disorder Sourcebook