What are the negative effects of starvation?
Asked by sarahskin on Aug 08, 2008
in Eating Disorders
Are there specific reasons why you shouldn't just starve to diet? If you go through your day without eating, naturally you will lose weight, but after a while doesn't that method start to backfire on your body? How so?
Answer
Starvation plays havoc on the body. You burn your muscles for energy, reduce your calorie requirements, and develop nutritional deficiencies that produce bone loss, amenorrhea (no period), constipation or diarrhea, rashes, and other medical problems. You experience emotional changes, including irritability, social withdrawal, decreased concentration, sleep disorders, and depression. You also interfere with the body’s ability to regulate hunger and fullness increasing the likelihood of binging. The effects of prolonged starvation take 6 months to 2 years to reverse. Read about the physical and psychological effects of starvation diets on About.com.
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