Eating Disorders

Jacob Walker, Colin Rasnick, and Dustin Lentz

Eating Disorders…

Definition: Preoccupation with weight that results in severe disturbances in eating behavior.

Mixture of social, psychological, and physical problems.

Common Characteristics in People with Eating Disorders It seems to be common that sexual and/or

physical and emotional abuse is related to eating disorders (not all people living with eating disorders are survivors of abuse).

Direct connection in some people to clinical depression

Low self-esteem and unhappy with their body image

Indications of an Eating Disorder Not wanting to eat meals with the family Frequent, lengthy visits to the bathroom during

or just after meals especially if running water is used to obscure the sound of induced vomiting

Skipping meals Excessive exercise or preoccupation with

weight, shape and body image Wanting to be alone Weight loss

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge-Eating Disorder

Anorexia Nervosa

People with Anorexia Nervosa: Have a distorted body image and view themselves as

fat even when they’re underweight Go to great lengths to keep a low body weight Eat very little (sometimes to the point of starvation) Some compulsively exercise Some might even be perfectionists Feelings of stress, anxiety, unhappiness and feeling

like life is out of control (Anorexia is a negative way to cope with these emotions)

Continued…

Known to eat junk food, particularly candy Drink a lot of coffee or tea To smoke May deny hunger, make excuses to avoid eating, will

often hide food they claim to have eaten Use diet pills to control appetite, or attempt to purge

the food away with self-induced vomiting, or by taking laxatives

Are 90% teenage girls and young women

Signs and Symptoms

Resistance to maintaining a healthy body weight

An irrational fear of gaining weight An unrealistic view of body shape and size Among women, infrequent menstrual

periods or cessation of menstruation

Treatment Psychotherapy

learn to exchange unhealthy habits for healthy ones learn how to monitor your eating and your moods develop problem-solving skills explore healthy ways to cope with stressful situations. cognitive behavioral therapy is commonly used in eating disorder

treatment. Nutrition education

Dietitians and other health care providers can offer information about a healthy diet and help design an eating plan to achieve a healthy weight and healthy-eating habits.

Hospitalization If it becomes a serious health problem or if the person refuses to eat or

gain weight, your doctor may recommend hospitalization Medications

May help manage excessive preoccupations with food and diet Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications may also help with

symptoms of depression or anxiety

Bulimia

An eating disorder when a person fears

gaining weight after binge eating and feels

the need to undo what they did by

throwing up, exercising a lot, or taking

laxatives.

Signs of bulimia

Going to the bathroom immediately after a meal.

Swollen cheeks or jaw area Broken blood vessels in eyes Teeth look clear Rough skin on knuckles (if using fingers to

make throw up)

What causes bulimia

Culture- people in the U.S., especially young females, are under constant pressure to be very thin.

Families- if one person in a family has an eating disorder then it is likely that another family has an eating disorder.

Stressful events- being made of because of body size. Psychology- low self-esteem or difficulty expressing

anger or other feeling can lead to bulimia. Biology- genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain

may be factors in becoming bulimic.

What should you do if you know somebody who’s bulimic Set a time to talk Tell your friend about your concern Ask your friend to talk to a professional Avoid conflicts regarding the situation Let your friend know that you’re there to

help

Binge Eating

What is Binge Eating?- Binge eating is defined as a pattern

of disordered eating which consists of episodes of uncontrollable overeating

This basically states that a binge eater is someone who eats large amounts and can’t control it.

Binge Eating

How does someone know if they are a binge eater?

1. Eating until uncontrollably full.

2. Eating large amounts even when not hungry.

3. Eating alone because the embarrassment of the quantity of food you have.

4. Eating more rapidly then frequently.

Binge Eating

Is binge eating common and who is at risk? Most binge eaters are obese. 2% of all adults

suffer from binge eating. Women are more likely to suffer from binge

eating. Three women to every two men. African Americans are also more at risk then

Whites.

Binge Eating

Binge Eating can have serious health impacts such as:

1. Depression

2. Obesity

3. High Blood Pressure

4. Type 2 Diabetes

5. Stroke

Binge Eating

Binge Eating is a serious health problem in America

Need to watch what and how much you eat

Exercise regularly

Celebrities that have/had an Eating Disorder

References

Mayo Clinic Family Health Book http://www.edreferral.com/anorexia_nervo

sa.htm http://www.something-fishy.org/whatarethe

y/anorexia.php http://www.womenshealth.gov