Eating Disorders

Myth Eating disorders affect only females. Fact Eating disorders affect females more than males, but males do develop eating disorders. Because of this myth males are even less likely than females to seek help for an eating disorder. What factors other than gender might keep someone from seeking help for an eating disorder?

Eating Disorders More than 90% of those afflicted with eating disorders are adolescent or young adult women Approximately 1% of adolescent girls develop anorexia and another 2-3% develop bulimia Tends to run in families Mothers who are over-concerned about their daughter’s physical weight and attractiveness may add increased risk.

More on Eating Disorders 1 in 10 cases of anorexia leads to death from starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications or suicide. 3 main areas cause eating disorders: personality factors, genetics, and environment. Low self-esteem, fear of becoming fat and helplessness are common feelings.

Body Image and Magazines Many teens are not satisfied with the size or shape of their bodies. This dissatisfaction can sometimes lead to an eating disorder. Images in magazines can contribute to the problem. Use this checklist to evaluate the messages that teen magazines send about your body and appearance.

Do the images show a narrow range of body shapes and sizes? Are the females in the images taller and thinner than typical teenage girls? Are the males in the images taller and more muscular than typical teenage boys? Are there stories about people who are dieting, bulking up, or getting a makeover? Does the magazine make you feel dissatisfied with your body? Two or more “Yes” answers reveal how magazines influence readers’ feelings about their own bodies.

Anorexia Nervosa Intentionally starve themselves. At least 15% below their normal body weight Tend to be very obedient, perfectionists, good students and excellent athletes Restrict food to gain a sense of control in their lives.

What anorexia looks like

Symptoms of anorexia Food and weight become obsessions. Refusal to maintain a body weight consistent with their height, build and age Often cooks for others and collects recipes. Cannot objectively evaluate their own weight Three consecutive menstrual cycles are missed.

Profile of an Anorexic Profile of an Anorexic Usually Caucasian female Middle–upper socioeconomic class “Responsible, meticulous, and obedient” Competitive and obsessive May have conflicts with family High family expectations Expression of self control

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa To consume large amounts of food and then rid the body of the excess calories by vomiting, abusing laxatives, taking enemas or exercising obsessively. Half of those with anorexia will develop bulimia Most patients maintain normal or above average weight.

Types of Bulimia Purging Type: the person regularly engages in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas Non-Purging Type: the person has used other inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting, excessive exercise, but not regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas.

Bulimia Health and other Problems Vomiting causes most health problems Demineralization of teeth Drop in blood potassium Swelling of salivary glands Stomach ulcers and bleeding Constipation Can cause weight gain and weight fluctuations Leads to guilt, depression, low self-esteem

Secret Lives of Bulimics Many are not diagnosed Hidden binge-and-purge habits Elaborate food rules Binge may consist of 3,000+ kcal Convenient, high-sugar, high-fat foods Loss of control Purge Vomiting and laxatives to avoid weight gain Excessive exercise (“debting” ) Binge-Purge cycles triggered by emotional factors

Vicious Cycle of Bulimia

Compulsive Overeating Disorder Characterized as an "addiction" to food Use food and eating as a way to hide from their emotions, to fill a void they feel inside, and to cope with daily stresses and problems in their lives. At health risk for a heart attack, high blood-pressure and cholesterol, kidney disease and/or failure, arthritis and bone deterioration, and stroke.

Binge Eating Disorder Similar to those of Compulsive Overeaters and Bulimia. The sufferer periodically goes on large binges, consuming an unusually large quantity of food in a short period of time (less than 2 hours) uncontrollably, eating until they are uncomfortably full. Characterized as above average or overweight, and sufferers tend to have a more difficult time losing weight and maintaining average healthy weights. Unlike with Bulimia, they do not purge following a Binge episode.

NOTE: THESE ARE PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS THAT MANIFEST IN A WAY THAT IS RELATED TO FOOD OR EXERCISE!! IT’S NOT REALLY ABOUT THE FOOD…