Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders • A. Incidence in world vs. fitness population • 19/20 are women • 1% of population • 3% of fitness population Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Anorexia Nervosa • Eating Disorders • Define • An eating disorder characterized by self imposed starvation to lose & maintain very low body weight • Diagnostic criteria • Refusal to maintain normal body weight or less than 85% of normal weight Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Clinical Characteristics • Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat • Distorted body image • Amenorrhea- periods cease. • Regular starvation • Anorexics hide their self perceived “fatness” not their thinness Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia • Define • An eating disorder characterized by a pattern of binge eating and purging in an attempt to lose weight and maintain low body weight • Diagnostic criteria • Recurrent episodes of binge eating- • Binge eating is characterized by eating a large amount of food (more than what anyone considers normal) in a short period of time • Lack of control over eating during the episode Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Clinical characteristics of Bulimia Nervosa. • Recurring behaviors to prevent weight gain such as self induced vomiting, laxative misuse, diuretics, fasting or excessive exercise • Binge episode occur at least 2 times a week for 3 months • Binge eating causes distress • Self image is unduly influenced by body shape and weight • Usually occurs in stages… starts out slow …under stress Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Some differences between AN and BN. • Unlike anorexics, bulimics recognize their behavior is abnormal, they feel shame, secrecy about behaviors… • Anorexic sufferers do become hungry, Bulimic sufferers battle with intense hunger. Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Bulimia Nervosa cont. • Facts and Statistics • 90-95% are Women • White; Middle-to-Upper Middle Class • Onset 16-19 Years of Age • 6-8% College Women; some studies = 20% • About 1-2% Population Overall • Chronic if Left Untreated Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Anorexia Nervosa cont. Distorted Body Image MALE’S ATTRACTIVE Female’s Attractive Female’s Ideal Female’s Current Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Cognitive-Behavioural Theory of Bulimia Nervosa Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Causes of Eating Disorders • . Social and Cultural Factors • Thinness Equals Success • Has Increased Over Time • “Scarlett O’Hara Effect” • 2. Media • Sets Impossible Idealised Images • Examples: playboy centerfolds, Barbie, models Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Causes of Eating Disorders cont. • Biological Influences • A. Genetics • Runs in Families (4-5x more likely) • Monozygotic Twins have higher concordance rates (23%) for eating disorders than dizygotic twins (9%) • Unclear What is Inherited • B. Other Biological Influences • Cause vs. Starvation? • Example: low serotonin levels in patients with Bulimia Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Causes of Eating Disorders cont. • Dieting? • Dieting has increased considerably • 1950: 7% men, 14 % women • 1999: 29% men, 44% women • Women are more dissatisfied with current weight, more likely to be dieting, more likely to place importance on appearance than men • Normal weight women perceive themselves as fat • Dieting often precedes eating disorders Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Treatment of Eating Disorders • Biological Treatments • Antidepressants • Bulimia • Decrease depression • Decrease purging • High drop out rates • High relapse • Anorexia • Generally not effective Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Treatment of Eating Disorders cont. • Example – Behavioural Family Systems Therapy for Anorexia • I. Assessment • Need for Hospitalization • Weight, Menstruation, Eating habits, Exercise, mood, medical changes, development, school, family interaction, peer relationships • II. Control Rationale • Parents are responsible for all aspects of the child’s eating (buying, preparing, etc.) Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Treatment of Eating Disorders cont. • Example – Behavioural Family Systems Therapy for Anorexia cont. • III. Weight Gain • Parent continues control of eating • Ensures adolescent gains weight • Other issues may be explored – cognitive distortions, family problems • IV. Weight Maintenance • Enter this stage once normal weight has been achieved • Control of eating is shifted to adolescent Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Strategies to prevent… • . Be a good role model • 2. Focus on healthy eating habits rather than weight loss • Establish foundation of self esteem that includes other areas besides weight • Support eating regularly • Focus on bringing out the attributes and beauty of EACH INDIVIDUAL’S BODY. Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Eating Disorders Links • http://www.aabainc.org/ • http://www.aabainc.org/ • http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ • http://www.something-fishy.org/ • http://www.remuda-ranch.com Eating Disorders Lana Crosbie

Eating Disorders