Anorexia/Bulimia and eating disorders Options

[Tung]

Is it an actual disease, like genetically, or just us being "conceited" and trying to fit the "norm" and be skinny. I read somewhere in one of my Woman Studies course readers, that it was highly believed for many years, that anorexia was just a mental and social thing that girls or boys dealt with because of the social barrings and peer pressure. But like recently they discovered like this anorexia thing is an actual disease? I'm not all so sure, but just want to know your take on this.

Reason for edit: It's spelled "bulimia." ;] - Cristy

[superstitious]

Tung, I think it could feasibly be a bit of both. Social pressure to be thin is HUGE (probably not the best choice of words. haha). I can completely understand why it would cross someone's mind, especially a young female.

I'm not sure if it's a hereditary thing or not, I'd have to do some research on that. I think that perhaps someone might be more inclined than someone else to act upon the thought of anorexia or bulimic behavior and if they're genetically predisposed, they would be more apt to have an eating disorder than your average teenager wanting to be thin and thinking something along the lines of "maybe if I puked my food", but never act upon it.