Eating DisordersEating DisordersThe Problems They Pose The Problems They Pose

& & How We Can Overcome Them How We Can Overcome Them

As a CommunityAs a Community

Anne Diffenderfer

John Downey

Caitlin Mayer

Alex Morley

What are Eating Disorders?What are Eating Disorders?

DefinitionDefinition: A psychological disorder : A psychological disorder characterized by serious characterized by serious disturbances of eating behaviordisturbances of eating behavior

Or in other words…Or in other words…– Serious emotional & physical problems Serious emotional & physical problems

that include extreme emotions, that include extreme emotions, attitudes, & behaviors surrounding attitudes, & behaviors surrounding weight & food issues.weight & food issues.

Anorexia NervosaAnorexia Nervosa DefinitionDefinition: :

An eating An eating disorder that is disorder that is characterized characterized primarily by a primarily by a pathological pathological fear of weight fear of weight gain, leading a gain, leading a person to person to severely severely under-eat under-eat and/or over-and/or over-exerciseexercise

Anorexia Anorexia SymptomsSymptoms

Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level

Intense, persistent fear of gaining weight Distorted body image Loss of menstrual periods Extreme concern with body weight and

shape Excessive body/facial hair Compulsive exercise

Anorexia Anorexia StatisticsStatistics

The number of The number of anorexics in anorexics in America has America has doubled since the doubled since the 1970’s1970’s

Around 90%, or 9 Around 90%, or 9 million, of all million, of all anorexics in the anorexics in the U.S. are femalesU.S. are females

In the U.S., 10% of In the U.S., 10% of anorexics die anorexics die

AnorexiaAnorexiaHealth RisksHealth Risks

Anemia Anemia cardiac arrest cardiac arrest Muscle loss & weaknessMuscle loss & weakness Shrunken organsShrunken organs OsteoporosisOsteoporosis DepressionDepression Fainting, fatigue & overall weaknessFainting, fatigue & overall weakness Severe dehydration Severe dehydration kidney failure kidney failure Constipation & bloatingConstipation & bloating Low blood pressureLow blood pressure Slowed metabolism Slowed metabolism Slowed thinking & reflexesSlowed thinking & reflexes Dry skin & hair; hair loss is commonDry skin & hair; hair loss is common

Bulimia NervosaBulimia Nervosa

DefinitionDefinition: : An eating An eating disorder that disorder that is primarily is primarily characterizecharacterized by episodic d by episodic binge eating binge eating followed by followed by purgingpurging

BulimiaBulimiaSymptomsSymptoms

Preoccupation with food Preoccupation with food Uncontrollable binge eating past the point of Uncontrollable binge eating past the point of

fullnessfullness Purging after a binge (Purging after a binge (typically by self-induced

vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)

Menstrual irregularities Menstrual irregularities Compulsive exercise Compulsive exercise Frequent dieting Extreme concern with body weight and shape

BulimiaBulimiaStatisticsStatistics

Only 5-10% of bulimics are malesOnly 5-10% of bulimics are males Over 4% of all bulimic women in the Over 4% of all bulimic women in the

U.S. are affected for their entire livesU.S. are affected for their entire lives Bulimia is most common in white Bulimia is most common in white

women in their teens and twentieswomen in their teens and twenties

BulimiaBulimiaHealth RisksHealth Risks

Electrolyte imbalance and low potassium, sodium 7 Electrolyte imbalance and low potassium, sodium 7 chloride levels, which lead to irregular heartbeat, and chloride levels, which lead to irregular heartbeat, and in some cases, cardiac arrest in some cases, cardiac arrest

DepressionDepression Low blood pressureLow blood pressure Increased risk of heart failureIncreased risk of heart failure Weakening of musclesWeakening of muscles Dehydration Dehydration Chronic diarrhea or constipation from laxative useChronic diarrhea or constipation from laxative use Damage to bowels, liver and kidneys Damage to bowels, liver and kidneys Ruptured esophagus due to forced vomitingRuptured esophagus due to forced vomiting Tooth erosion from repeated exposure to stomach acidTooth erosion from repeated exposure to stomach acid Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis Potential for gastric rupture during periods of bingeing Potential for gastric rupture during periods of bingeing

Binge Eating DisorderBinge Eating Disorder

DefinitionDefinition: : An eating An eating disorder disorder characterizcharacterized primarily ed primarily by episodic by episodic binge binge eatingeating

Binge EatingBinge EatingSymptomsSymptoms

Episodes of binge eating when not hungry Episodes of binge eating when not hungry Frequent dieting Frequent dieting Feeling unable to stop eating voluntarily Feeling unable to stop eating voluntarily Awareness that eating patterns are Awareness that eating patterns are

abnormal abnormal Weight fluctuations Weight fluctuations Depressed mood Depressed mood Feelings of shame Feelings of shame Antisocial behavior Antisocial behavior Obesity Obesity

Binge EatingBinge Eating Statistics Statistics

Approximately 2% of all Americans suffer from Approximately 2% of all Americans suffer from binge eating disorderbinge eating disorder

1/3 of Americans with binge eating disorder are 1/3 of Americans with binge eating disorder are malesmales

About 12.5% of individuals enrolled in weight loss About 12.5% of individuals enrolled in weight loss programs have binge eating disorderprograms have binge eating disorder

Binge EatingBinge EatingHealth RisksHealth Risks

High blood pressure High blood pressure High cholesterol High cholesterol Gall bladder disease Gall bladder disease Type II diabetes mellitusType II diabetes mellitus Heart disease Heart disease Certain types of cancer Certain types of cancer

Why are Eating Disorders so Why are Eating Disorders so Dangerous?Dangerous?

They can They can killkill you. you.

The mortality rate for eating disorders is higher The mortality rate for eating disorders is higher than the mortality rate for any other mental illnessthan the mortality rate for any other mental illness

5-10% of people with eating disorders will die 5-10% of people with eating disorders will die within the first 10 yearswithin the first 10 years

18-20% will die within 20 years of getting the 18-20% will die within 20 years of getting the disorderdisorder

20% of all people with eating disorders will die due 20% of all people with eating disorders will die due to complications of the disorder such as cancer, to complications of the disorder such as cancer, heart disease, and suicideheart disease, and suicide

Psychological Factors– Low self-esteem– Feelings of inadequacy or lack of control in life– Depression, anxiety, anger, or loneliness

Interpersonal Factors– Troubled family and personal relationships– Difficulty expressing emotions and feelings– History of being teased or ridiculed based on size

or weight– History of physical or sexual abuse

What are the Main Causes What are the Main Causes of Eating Disorders?of Eating Disorders?

Social Factors– Cultural pressures that glorify “thinness” and

place value on obtaining the “perfect body”– Narrow definitions of beauty that include only

women and men of specific body weights and shapes

– Cultural norms that value people on the basis of physical appearance and not inner qualities and strengths

Other Factors– Possible imbalance of certain chemicals in the

brain that control hunger, appetite, and digestion. Still under investigation.

What are the Main Causes What are the Main Causes of Eating Disorders?of Eating Disorders?

Treatment?Treatment?

The most effective and long-lasting The most effective and long-lasting treatment for an eating disorder is treatment for an eating disorder is some form of psychotherapy.some form of psychotherapy.

The sooner, the better.The sooner, the better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-N2Cv52gB8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-N2Cv52gB8

How Can We Stop the How Can We Stop the Cycle?Cycle?

If you know someone with an eating disorder…If you know someone with an eating disorder…– Know the difference between facts & myths about Know the difference between facts & myths about

weight, nutrition & exercise so you can reason against weight, nutrition & exercise so you can reason against their excusestheir excuses

– Talk openly & honestly about your concerns for themTalk openly & honestly about your concerns for them– Be caring, but firm – don’t let yourself be manipulated Be caring, but firm – don’t let yourself be manipulated

by them and don’t make promises you don’t intend to by them and don’t make promises you don’t intend to uphold.uphold.

– Compliment them & remind them that beauty isn’t Compliment them & remind them that beauty isn’t only skin deep.only skin deep.

– Be a good role model in regards to sensible eating, Be a good role model in regards to sensible eating, exercise & self-acceptance.exercise & self-acceptance.

– Most importantly… TELL SOMEONE! Don’t wait until Most importantly… TELL SOMEONE! Don’t wait until their life is in danger!their life is in danger!

If a parent suspects their child has an If a parent suspects their child has an eating disorder…eating disorder…– Counseling may be in order, especially if Counseling may be in order, especially if

there is a lot of tension in the familythere is a lot of tension in the family– Talking to each other helps. Some teens Talking to each other helps. Some teens

feel over-pressured with goals that may feel over-pressured with goals that may seem unrealistic to them and take it out seem unrealistic to them and take it out on themselves, and parents need to be on themselves, and parents need to be informed of this one way or another.informed of this one way or another.

How Can We Stop the How Can We Stop the Cycle?Cycle?

Learn to Learn to recognize recognize

what’s what’s wrong wrong

with the with the media media and and

support support the right the right changes!changes!

How Can We Stop the How Can We Stop the Cycle?Cycle?Wrong Wrong

Celebrities are Celebrities are constantly badgered constantly badgered about their about their appearanceappearance

Models are expected Models are expected to be unnaturally to be unnaturally skinny and go to skinny and go to extreme measures to extreme measures to be sobe so

One ideal image of One ideal image of beautybeauty

RightRight Bans on Bans on underweight modelsunderweight models

Eating disorder Eating disorder awarenessawareness

Plus-sized modelsPlus-sized models

Famous faces Famous faces supporting diversity in supporting diversity in body shapes & sizesbody shapes & sizes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS2mfWDryPEv=VS2mfWDryPE

Works CitedWorks Cited Anorexia NervosaAnorexia Nervosa. SICK! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections. Online Edition. Detroit: . SICK! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections. Online Edition. Detroit:

U*X*L, 2008.U*X*L, 2008.

Anorexia nervosaAnorexia nervosa. Tish Davidson, A.M. The Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence. Ed. . Tish Davidson, A.M. The Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence. Ed. Jerome Kagan and Susan B. Gall. Online Edition. Detroit: Gale, 2007.Jerome Kagan and Susan B. Gall. Online Edition. Detroit: Gale, 2007.

Binge-eating disorderBinge-eating disorder. Paula Anne Ford-Martin. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. . Paula Anne Ford-Martin. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. Longe. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, Online update, 2007. 5 vols.3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, Online update, 2007. 5 vols.

Bulimia nervosaBulimia nervosa. Mai Tran. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. . Mai Tran. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 2nd ed. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2005. 4 vols. Updated Detroit: Gale, 2005. 4 vols. Updated July 1, 2006July 1, 2006

Bulimia NervosaBulimia Nervosa. SICK! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections. Online Edition. Detroit: . SICK! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections. Online Edition. Detroit: U*X*L, 2008.U*X*L, 2008.

Health A-to-ZHealth A-to-Z.  Nov 7, 2006 pNA. COPYRIGHT 2006 Copyright by President and Fellows of Harvard .  Nov 7, 2006 pNA. COPYRIGHT 2006 Copyright by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All College. All Rights ReservedRights Reserved

"Eating Disorders; Diagnosis." "Eating Disorders; Diagnosis." NWHRC Health Center - Eating NWHRC Health Center - Eating DisordersDisorders. National Women's . National Women's Health Resource Health Resource Center, 2005. NA. Center, 2005. NA. Health Health Reference Center Reference Center AcademicAcademic. Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH . Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Nov. 2008 SCHOOL. 1 Nov. 2008 

<http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=HRCA>. <http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=HRCA>.

National Eating Disorders AssociationNational Eating Disorders Association. National Eating Disorders Association. 1 Nov. 2008 . National Eating Disorders Association. 1 Nov. 2008 <http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/index.php>.<http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/index.php>.

Tauber, Michelle, and Ashley Williams. "Extreme Measures." Tauber, Michelle, and Ashley Williams. "Extreme Measures." PeoplePeople 28 Sept. 2006: 1-5. 28 Sept. 2006: 1-5.

(More) Works Cited(More) Works Cited

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http://www.womenswholehealthpartnership.com/blog/uploaded_images/http://www.womenswholehealthpartnership.com/blog/uploaded_images/binge-eating-734684.jpgbinge-eating-734684.jpg

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http://www.aolcdn.com/aolnews_photos/00/04/20080227154609990004http://www.aolcdn.com/aolnews_photos/00/04/20080227154609990004