EATING

DISORDERS

Submitted by:
Lester John B. Buhay

Eating Disorders
The main eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating
disorder. It include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight
and food issues. Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problem that
can have life-threatening consequences for both men and women.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a condition of obsessive desire for thinness through dieting,
leading to extreme weight loss. There is a refusal to eat adequately and to have a
normal body weight.
Cause:

Unknown, but a deep-seated emotional problem based on past experiences

may be a significant factor.
Typical Features/ signs and symptoms:

Females- adolescents and young adults

A refusal to eat
Poor body image
Intense fear of becoming fat
Loss of body fat
No or very scant periods
Dry and scaly skin
High mortality rate

Who gets it?

It is a disorder of adolescent girl with and incidence of 1 in every 200 of 16-
years old school girls. Occasionally it can affect young men. There are two
common age groups when it comes on: 13-14 and 17-18.
Medical Treatment
A major priority of anorexia treatment is to address any serious health complication
arising from anorexia. Malnutrition and starvation can have wide-ranging health
consequences for those with anorexia, even if it is detected early. Hospitalization
maybe necessary depending on the extent of the disorder. The doctor will treat
medical condition such as heart problems or osteoporosis arising from the eating
disorder.
Nutritional anorexia treatment
Is an essential part of treatment for anorexia nervosa. In general, those who are
more than 15% below their healthy weight have difficulty gaining it back without a
highly structured nutritional program. Those weighing 25% below their healthy
weight may need to take part in an inpatient treatment program.
Weight gain is associated with a reduction in symptoms of anorexia. Restoring
nutrition reduces further bone loss, normalizes hormonal function and restores
energy levels. Often, this steps must be taken before the patient can fully benefit
from eating disorders therapy and other psychological treatment focusing on the
underlying causes of anorexia.
Bulimia Nervosa

Known as binge-purge syndrome, bulimia is a recurrent episode of binge

eating in secret, followed by self-induced vomiting, fasting or the use of
laxatives and fluid tablets (diuretics).
Cause:

Unknown, that is probably due to a deep-seated emotional problem. Genetic

predisposition.
Typical features/Signs and Symptoms:

A disorder of a young females

Begin later than anorexia nervosa- usually 17-25 years old
Binges of high calorie, easily digested food
Fluctuations body weight
Repeated attempts to lose weight
Frequent dieting
Extreme concern with body weight and shape
Irregular periods
Depressed mood with guilt after a binge
A sense of lack of control during an eating episode

Risks:

Complications of frequent vomiting e.g. dental decay, salt and fluid loss.

Binge-Eating Disorders (compulsive overeating)

Is characterized primarily by periods of compulsive, uncontrolled, continuous

eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging,
there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or
self-hatred after a binge. Body weight may vary from normal to mild,
moderate, or severe obesity. This is the eating of larger amounts of food than
would a normal person in a given period. Some people may binge once a day
while others many times a day. It is similar to bulimia except that self-induced
vomiting and the use of laxatives to reduce weight does not occur.
Typical Features/Signs and Symptoms:

Secretive and impulsive eating

Eating foods easy to swallow, high in calories in usually forbidden at other
times
Most patients are obese
Eating episodes occur in the absence of hunger.
Fear of loss of control
Binges triggered by feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety or paranoia.
Binges average 2days a week for 6 months
Management of eating disorders
Early detection followed by action to help is the best approach. Problems with family
relationships are often behind the disorder, so it is Important to talk trough any
underlying problems such as a conflict or a crisis at home, sexual abuse, physical
abuse or drug dependency (including alcohol). Feelings of insecurity, rejection of
guilt are common, so it is therapeutic to bring out these personal problems in to the
open. There is often a history of being tease at school about weight. An expert, such
as a dietitian, can educate the patient about an appropriate diet.