What Causes Eating What Causes Eating Disorders?Disorders?

No single cause for eating disorders - involves several complex factors

Cultural Pressures – being extremely thin is the standard of beauty

Psychological Issues – Low self-esteem, Depression, Need for control, etc

Family Environment – pressure from parents/siblings

Life transitions - moving

Who Does it Effect?Who Does it Effect?

Both men and women 9/10 cases are found among girls and

young women Males account for 5 – 10 % of bulimia

and anorexia cases

Types of Eating Types of Eating DisordersDisorders

Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge Eating Compulsive Overeating

Anorexia NervosaAnorexia Nervosa

Characterized by: self-starvation excessive exercising excessive weight loss need to control their surroundings and

emotions.

Anorexia NervosaAnorexia Nervosa

refusal to keep body weight at or above what’s healthy

feeling overweight despite dramatic weight loss loss of menstrual periods Osteoporosis – loss of bone mass extreme preoccupation with body weight and

shape

Bulimia NervosaBulimia Nervosa

Binge eating- eating a large quantity of food in a short period of time

Then purge by using laxatives or forcing vomiting

Feeling out of control while eating. Exercising excessively Frequent dieting.

Using LaxativesUsing Laxatives

Laxatives do NOT make you lose weight Empties only the colon – mainly losing water! Chronic use results in :

Severe abdominal pain Lose control of rectum = anal leakage Bloating Dehydration

Truth or Myth?Truth or Myth?

The causes of eating disorders are complex and involve social, psychological and genetic factors

Eating disorders are most common among teens and young adults.

The three most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating

People with anorexia or bulimia may over exercise.

There are no cases of males with eating disorders

Truth or Myth?Truth or Myth?

Treatments of eating disorders involve several different health professionals

Eating disorders can result in serious health consequences including death

Some athletes are susceptible to eating disorders due to their training regimens

Men are more likely than women to seek help for eating disorders

The pressures of a culture that promotes “thinness” and the “perfect body” contribute to causing eating disorders.