The present article discusses eating disorders. Eating disorders
are defined as a serious health threat due to an abnormal
relation to food which has become a way of coping with
stress. They are also often linked to personality disorders.
We have focused mainly on the three most common types of
eating disorder – anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive (binge)
eating – their recognizable features, the causes that lead to
eating disorders, and on preventive measures practiced in
schools. Our survey sought to determine the degree to which
primary and secondary school counsellors devote attention
to the problem of eating disorders, how they recognize individual
cases of disorders, and the amount of focus dedicated
to preventive efforts. Results show that the most common
eating disorders dealt with in primary and secondary schools
are anorexia and bulimia. Furthermore, it is evident that
school counsellors are thoroughly familiar with the issue,
and that schools provide various preventive programs to
grapple with eating disorders.
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