Eating Disorders

Teenagers & Eating Disorders Girls 15 – 19 years old: ▫Account for 40% of new anorexia cases every year. ▫There has been a rise in anorexia among this age group every decade since 1930! Bulimia: ▫The incidences of bulimia have tripled among year-olds from 1988 to 1993 Most of those with anorexia or bulimia do NOT receive adequate care.

Teenagers & Dieting Over ½ half of teenage girls and 1/3 of teen boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors. ▫(Neumark-Sztainer, 2005) ▫These behaviors include:  Skipping meals  Fasting  Smoking cigarettes to control weight  Vomiting  Taking laxatives

Eating Disorders & Media Tweens & Teens are more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies after watching media. Movies & Television shows often have characters comment on appearance/weight. Advertisements often use an appeal to beauty to sell the product. ▫National Institute on Media and the Family

Anorexia Nervosa Self-starvation ▫Essential nutrients are denied (no or little food) so the body slows down all normal processes to conserve energy. Health consequences ▫Low blood pressure / heart rate ▫Muscle loss / weakness ▫Dehydration ▫Fainting / fatigue ▫Dry hair and skin

90-95% are female so, 5-10% are male. Similar characteristics: ▫Preoccupied with weight  Males may have preoccupation with body building, weight lifting or toning. ▫Compulsive exercise ▫Frequently weighing oneself ▫Distorted body image

Bulimia Nervosa Typically a binge – purge method ▫Binge – secret periods of quickly eating high- calorie dense foods. ▫Purge – more than the typical vomiting. 80% are female Health consequences: ▫Irregular heartbeat = heart failure = death. ▫Tooth decay ▫Ulcers

Warning Signs Anorexia ▫Becomes very thin ▫Obsesses over eating, food, weight ▫Counts portions, calories carefully ▫Only eats certain foods ▫Feels fat ▫Withdraws from social activities ▫May be depressed, fatigued or cold all the time Bulimia ▫Fears weight gain ▫Intensely unhappy with body size, shape or weight ▫Goes to the bathroom frequently or immediately after meals ▫Regularly buys laxatives ▫Spends most of free time working out ▫Withdraws from social activities

Prevention Examine your own body image Avoid power struggles over food Create a healthy lifestyle for the family

More information “Dying to be thin” ▫Nova program