UNIT 3 – LESSON 7 EATING DISORDERS

JOURNAL #16 A Stigma is a mark of disgrace that sets a person apart. Negative attitudes create prejudice which then leads to negative actions and discrimination. What are some stigmas surrounding eating disorders?

STIGMAS SURROUNDING EATING DISORDERS Common Stigmas: Eating disorders only affect women Those with an eating disorder are seeking attention It is a choice Those most affected are white upper-middle class teenage girls Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Definition of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating Causes of eating disorders Common complications Warning signs Treatment and outcomes Eating disorders are categorized as mental illnesses

WHAT ARE EATING DISORDERS? When a person experiences severe disturbances in eating behavior, such as: extreme reduction of food intake or overeating feelings of intense distress or concern about body weight or shape People with eating disorders are usually SECRETIVE about their eating, purging or lack of eating Three main kinds of eating disorder Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge Eating Approximately 24 million people in the U.S. struggle with an eating disorder

ANOREXIA NERVOSA Four diagnostic criteria 1.Refusal to maintain weight within a normal range for height and age 2.Intense fear of weight gain despite being underweight 3.Severe body image disturbance – body image is the predominant measure of self-worth 4.Absence of menstrual cycle for greater than 3 cycles 10% of people with eating disorders receive treatment

ANOREXIA - SUBTYPES Restricting and binge eating/purging Restricting subtype restrict food intake to lose weight Binge/purge subtype engage in binge eating or purging (i.e. vomiting, laxatives) Either type may also include compulsive exercise to reduce their weight *** Someone with anorexia may induce vomiting and still be considered anorexic if they are 15% below ideal body weight

BULIMIA NERVOSA Four diagnostic criteria: 1.Recurrent episodes of binge eating accompanied by a feeling of a lack of control 2.Repeated behaviors to make up for eating normal or increased amounts of food to prevent weight gain (vomiting, laxatives, fasting, excessive exercise) 3.The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors occur at least twice a week for three months 4.Dissatisfaction with body shape and weight

BULIMIA - SUBTYPES Purging and non-purging Purging – person regularly engages in self-induced vomiting or misuses laxatives/diuretics Non-purging – person uses other strategies such as excessive exercise or fasting Men make up 10 to 15% of the population with anorexia and bulimia, but are the least likely to seek help due to the gender stereotypes

BINGE EATING Loss of control over eating habits. Unlike bulimia nervosa, periods of binge eating are not followed by compensatory behaviors like - purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. As a result, those affected are often overweight or obese. At a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

WHAT CAUSES EATING DISORDERS? It is unclear why eating disorder occur, but it is likely related to an interaction of factors – Psychological, biological, family, environmental Our culture projects unrealistic images of “ideal” bodies in magazines, on TV 47% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures. 69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a perfect body shape. The “ideal” body weight portrayed in media is naturally possessed by 5% of American females

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT OF AN EATING DISORDER Dieting history Sports which emphasize leanness or involve subjective scoring (ballet, gymnastics) Psychiatric problems Family stress Neurotransmitter imbalance 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.8

PREDISPOSING FACTORS Any condition that enhances the specific cause of a disease, such as susceptibility caused by hereditary or life-style factors: Female sex Family history of eating disorders Perfectionism (type A) Low self-esteem Feelings of a lack of control in life Depression, anxiety, anger, loneliness Troubled personal relationships History of being teased or ridiculed based on size/weight History of physical or sexual abuse Almost 50% of people with eating disorders meet the criteria for depression

COMPLICATIONS OF EATING DISORDERS Slowed growth Growth of fine hair all over body Dental erosion Inflammation of possible rupture of esophagus Infertility Low body temperature Heart problems ( slow HR, low BP, heart beat irregularities) 20% of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems

WARNING SIGNS Unnatural concern about body weight Dramatic weight loss Obsession with calories, fat, and food Constant excuses to avoid mealtimes Withdrawal from usual friends and activities Discoloration or staining of the teeth

TREATING EATING DISORDERS An interdisciplinary team should treat eating disorders Physicians – diagnose and monitor Dieticians – educate patients Mental health professionals – provide counseling