Eating Disorders

• In all over the world there are many people with eating disorders... such as: anorexia, bulimia and overweight.

Introduction

Compulsive Overeating• Compulsive overeating is characterized by

uncontrollable eating and consequent weight gain. Compulsive overeaters use food as a way to cope with stress, emotional conflicts and daily problems. The food can block out feelings and emotions. Compulsive overeaters usually feel out of control and are aware their eating patterns are abnormal. Like bulimics, compulsive overeaters do recognize they have a problem.

• Compulsive overeating usually starts in early childhood when eating patterns are formed. Most people who become compulsive eaters are people who never learned the proper way to deal with stressful situations and used food instead as a way of coping. Fat can also serve as a protective function for them, especially in people that have been victims of sexual abuse. They sometimes feel that being overweight will keep others at a distance and make them less attractive. Unlike anorexia and bulimia, there is a high proportion of male overeaters.

Compulsive Overeating• The more weight that is gained,

the harder they try to diet and dieting is usually what leads to the next binge, which can be followed by feelings of powerlessness, guilt, shame and failure. Dieting and bingeing can go on forever if the emotional reasons for the bingeing is not dealt with.

• In today's society, compulsive overeating is not yet taken seriously enough. Instead of being treated for the serious problem they have, they are instead directed to diet centers and health spas. Like anorexia and bulimia, compulsive overeating is a serious problem and can result in death. With the proper treatment, which should include therapy, medical and nutritional counseling, it can be overcome.

Compulsive Overeating

• Signs and Symptoms– Binge eating– Fear of not being able to stop eating

voluntarily– Depression– Self-deprecating thoughts following binges– Withdrawing from activities because of

embarrassment about weight– Going on many different diets– Eating little in public, while maintaining a

high weight– Believing they will be a better person when

thin– Feelings about self based on weight– Social and professional failures attributed to

weight– Feeling tormented by eating habits– Weight is focus of life

Compulsive Overeating

• Physical/Medical Complications– Weight gain– Hypertension or fatigue– Heart ailments– Mobility problems– Diabetes– Arthritis– Sciatica– Varicose veins– Hiatal hernia– Embolism– Sleep depravation– Toxemia during pregnancy– High blood pressure– Shortness of breath– High Cholesterol levels– Cardiac arrest and death

Overweight • The term overweight is generally used to indicate that a human

(or other mammal) has more body fat than is useful for the optimal functioning of the body. Being overweight is a fairly common condition for many people, especially in the United States and other developed nations where food supplies are plentiful and lifestyles often do not involve a lot of exercise. Recent studies have indicated that as much as 64% of the adult US population is overweight, and this number is increasing.

• A healthy body requires a minimum amount of fat for the proper functioning of the hormonal, reproductive, and immune systems, as thermal insulation, as shock absorption for sensitive areas, and as excess energy for future use. But the accumulation of too much storage fat can impair movement and flexibility, and can alter the appearance of the body in ways that some may find undesirable or unattractive.

Overweight• Health Implications• While the health issues associated with obesity are well accepted within

the medical community, the health implications of the overweight category are more controversial. The generally accepted view has been that overweight has health risks relative to normal weight. However, some recent studies have suggested that mortality rates for individuals who are classified as overweight may actually be lower than for those with an "ideal" weight, while yet others show little or no significant difference.

• There have been several proposed explanations for these findings. One of these is that the mortality risks associated with overweight have lessened over the past few decades due to improved medical treatment. Another is that while mortality rates may be lower, other factors such as chronic illness and reduced quality of life may still be associated with overweight. Of course, another possibility is that BMI is an ineffective method of classifying overweight status. At this time, the issue of health implications for overweight individuals can be considered controversial, and likely to be clarified through future research.

Overweight• Causes• Being overweight is generally caused by the intake of more calories (by eating) than

are expended by the body (by exercise and everyday living). Factors which may contribute to this imbalance include:

• Limited exercise and sedentary lifestyle• Overeating• Genetic predisposition• A high glycemic index diet (i.e. a diet that consists of meals that give high

postprandial blood sugar)• Hormone imbalances (e.g. hypothyroidism)• Metabolic disorders, which could be caused by repeated attempts to lose weight by

Weight cycling,• An eating disorder (such as binge eating disorder)• Stress• Insufficient sleep• Psychotropic medications• Smoking cessation

Bulimia• Bulimia, also called bulimia nervosa, is a psychological eating disorder. Bulimia is

characterized by episodes of binge-eating followed by inappropriate methods of weight control (purging). Inappropriate methods of weight control include vomiting, fasting, enemas, excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, or compulsive exercising. Excessive shape and weight concerns are also characteristics of bulimia. A binge is an episode where an individual eats a much larger amount of food than most people would in a similar situation. Binge eating is not a response to intense hunger. It is usually a response to depression, stress, or self esteem issues. During the binge episode, the individual experiences a loss of control. However, the sense of a loss of control is also followed by a short-lived calmness. The calmness is often followed by self-loathing. The cycle of overeating and purging usually becomes an obsession and is repeated often.

Bulimia was only diagnosed as its own eating disorder in the 1980s. People with bulimia can look perfectly normal. Most of them are of normal weight, and

some may be overweight. Women with bulimia tend to be high achievers. It is often difficult to determine whether a person is suffering from Bulimia. This occurs

because bingeing and purging is often done in secret. Also, individuals suffering from Bulimia often deny their condition.

Sufferers consume huge quantities of food. Sometimes up to 20,000 calories at a time. The foods on which they binge tend to be foods labeled as "comfort foods" -- sweet foods, high in calories, or smooth, soft foods like ice cream, cake, and pastry. An individual may binge anywhere from twice a day to several times daily.

Bulimia • Causes

There is currently no definite known cause of bulimia. Researchers believe it begins with dissatisfaction of the person's body and extreme concern with body size and shape. Usually individuals suffering from bulimia have low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness and a fear of becoming fat

• Medical complications from bulimia

- Erosion of tooth enamel because of repeated exposure to acidic gastric contents. - Dental cavities, sensitivity to hot or cold food. - Swelling and soreness in the salivary glands (from repeated vomiting).- Stomach Ulcers. - Ruptures of the stomach and esophagus.- Abnormal buildup of fluid in the intestines.- Disruption in the normal bowel release function.- Electrolyte imbalance.- Dehydration- Irregular heartbeat and in severe cases heart attack- A greater risk for suicidal behavior- Decrease in libido

Bulimia • Symptoms• Eating uncontrollably, purging, strict dieting, fasting, vigorous exercise,• Vomiting or abusing laxatives or diuretics in an attempt to lose weight.

Vomiting blood• Using the bathroom frequently after meals. • Preoccupation with body weight• Depression or mood swings. Feeling out of control. • Swollen glands in neck and face • Heartburn, bloating, indigestion, constipation• Irregular periods• Dental problems, sore throat • Weakness, exhaustion bloodshot eyes

• Risk Factors• There are certain professions where eating orders are more prevalent.

Thinness is usually emphasized in these professions. The professions are: modeling, dancing, gymnastics, wrestling, and long-distance running.

Anorexia• Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves.

Anorexia usually begins in young people around the onset of puberty. Individuals suffering from anorexia have extreme weight loss. Weight loss is usually 15% below the person's normal body weight. People suffering from anorexia are very skinny but are convinced that they are overweight. Weight loss is obtained by many ways. Some of the common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives and not eating.

• Anorexics have an intense fear of becoming fat. Their dieting habits develop from this fear. Anorexia mainly affects adolescent girls.

• People with anorexia continue to think they are overweight even after they become extremely thin, are very ill or near death. Often they will develop strange eating habits such as refusing to eat in front of other people. Sometimes the individuals will prepare big meals for others while refusing to eat any of it.

• The disorder is thought to be most common among people of higher socioeconomic classes and people involved in activities where thinness is especially looked upon, such as dancing, theater, and distance running.

Anorexia • Symptoms of Anorexia• There are many symptoms for anorexia, some individuals may

not experience all of they symptoms. The symptoms include: Body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height (usually 15% below normal weight).

• Some other symptom are: - Loss of at least 3 consecutive menstrual periods (in women). - Not wanting or refusing to eat in public. - Other symptoms are: anxiety, weakness, brittle skin, shortness of

breath, obsessiveness about calorie intake.

Difference between anorexia and

bulimia• The biggest difference

between anorexia and bulimia is that people suffering from bulimia eat large amounts of food and then throw up. This is called binge and purge. Anorexics do not eat large amounts and throw up. Bulimics do.

Pills

• As a way to not get fat, people take pills that make them go thinner in a unhealthy way.

E.g.

- Ipecac Syrup

- Laxatives

- Diuretics (water pills)

- Diet Pills

Conclusion

“You are what you eat from your head

to your feet!”

• Bibliography

www.google.com: - Anorexia

- Bulimia

- Overweight

- Compulsive Overeating

- Dangerous Methods

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Work made by: Marta Cura nº16 Teresa Marques nº22

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