EATING DISORDERS
Vocabulary
Anorexia Nervosa:
Bulimia Nervosa:
Binge Eating Disorder:
Female Athlete Triad:
Prevalence of Eating Disorders
•More than 5 million Americans suffer from eating disorders
•90% of cases of anorexia and bulimia occur in females
•15% of young women have substantially disordered eating attitudes or behaviors
•8% of overweight women and 30% of those seeking treatment from weight loss programs meet criteria for binge eating disorder; 25% of binge eaters may be male
COMMON CAUSES OF EATING DISORDERS
•Major life Transitions
•Family Problems
•Social/Romantic Problems
•Failure at School, Work, or Competitive Event
•Traumatic Event
•Biological Vulnerability to other Psychiatric Illnesses
Factors Associated With Increased Risk for Eating Disorders
•Female gender
•Dieting behavior
•Middle or upper-class socioeconomic background
•Personality disorder
•Family dysfunction
•Profession or pursuit that stresses thinness
•Diseases for which management involves emphasis on diet regulation
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
•Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimal normal weight for height and age
•Intense fear of becoming fat, even though underweight
•Disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced
•Amenorrhea (the absence of at least 3 menstrual cycles)
Bulimia Nervosa
•Recurrent episodes of binge eating
•Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain (vomiting, diuretics, laxatives, excessive exercise, etc.)
•Self-evaluation unduly influenced by body shape and weight
•Purging and non-purging type
•Binge Eating Disorder
•Recurrent episodes of binge eating (at least 2x per week for 6 months)
•The binge eating causes marked distress
•The binge eating is not associated with the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors
•The Female Athlete Triad
•Eating Disorder – restrictive dieting, excessive exercise, weight loss, lack of body fat
•Amenorrhea – diminished hormones (may be as high as 66% in female athletes)
•Compromised Bone Health – stress fractures now, osteoporosis later in life
Distinguishing Between Normal and Abnormal Athletic Training
Athletes
•Purposeful training
•Increased exercise tolerance
•Good muscle development
•Accurate body injury
Anorexia “Athletica”
•Aimless activity
•Reduced exercise tolerance
•Reduced musculature
•Distorted body image
Amenorrhea
•Critical low fat theory?
•Excessive exercise?
•Energy drain?
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL EFFECTS OF EATING DISORDERS
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
•sallow complexion, dry skin, hair loss, hollow facial features
•irregular or ceased menstruation; infertility; osteoporosis
•changes in metabolism and energy
•cardiac problems, low blood pressure, fatigue, dizziness
BULIMIA NERVOSA
•damaged teeth, swollen cheeks, dehydration, weakness
•electrolyte imbalance, muscle spasms, headaches, fatigue
•GI problems, kidney problems
BINGE EATING DISORDERS
•obesity related diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, risk of stroke, sleep apnea, gall bladder disease and several forms of cancer
Treatment
•Comprehensive Multidimensional Assessment
-physical exam, mental health evaluation, nutritional counseling
•Coordinated Care Plan
-team of eating disorders professionals
-nutritional rehabilitation/restoration of normal eating patterns and long-term goals
•Psychotherapy
-cognitive behavioral, interpersonal
-individual, family, group
Prevention
For eating disorders PREVENTION is key! What can we do?
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