Weight Control & Eating Disorders

Weight Management Energy Expenditure-total calories used for all activities over a given period of time Energy Intake-sum of caloric content in food ingested Maintaining weight, gaining weight and losing weight is a matter of energy balance

Weight Management Maintain Weight-energy intake = energy expenditure Lose Weight-energy intake < energy expenditure Gain Weight-energy intake > energy expenditure

Weight Loss Energy intake < energy expenditure ↓ calorie intake ↑ physical activity Decrease calorie intake by 500-1000 calories/day Weight loss should be 1-2 lbs/week 1lb fat = 3500 calories

Weight Loss Ways to decrease calorie intake Decrease empty calories-foods high in fat & sugar Eat smaller portions Eat slowly, let food digest Avoid second helpings Don’t skip meals, leads to overeating later

Weight Loss Add exercise/activity to daily life Exercise counteracts negative effects of calorie restriction Dieting causes loss of fat & muscle and adding exercise to diet decreases amount of muscle lost Exercise burns fat, so adding exercise means you do not have to reduce calorie intake as much

Weight Loss Any excess calories must be utilized or they will be stored as fat, no matter what the food source

Weight Gain Muscle weight is preferred to fat weight Weight gain combines progressive weight training with increased calorie intake Average gain of ½ - 1 lb/week 2500 additional calories are required to gain 1 lb of muscle Increase calorie intake by 350 cal/day

Eating Disorders Disturbance in eating behavior More common in women & girls Longer you have disorder, more negative medical consequences Estimated long-term death rate with eating disorders can be as high as 20-30%

Anorexia Nervosa Psychological disorder characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese, a distorted self-image, persistent unwillingness to eat, severe weight loss Accompanied by excessive exercise, malnutrition, self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse

Anorexia Signs & Symptoms Weight loss of 15% of normal body weight Loss of appetite Loss of menstruation Fatigue Dizziness Constipation Cold to touch

Anorexia Physical Effects Starvation Dehydration Muscle & Cartilage Deterioration Osteoporosis (Bone Loss) Irregular Heart Rate Heart Failure

Bulimia Characterized by episodic binge eating, followed by feelings of guilt, depression, and self-condemnation Usually occurs in women of normal or near-normal weight After binging, measures taken to prevent weight gain; self-induced vomiting, laxatives, dieting, fasting

Bulimia Signs & Symptoms Weight fluctuations Dental cavities (caused by stomach acid during vomiting) Dehydration Fatigue Dizziness Constipation Irregular/Absent menstruation

Bulimia Physical Effects Stomach ulceration Bowel damage Inflammation/tearing of esophagus Laxative addiction Tingling in hands & feet Electrolyte imbalance (loss of potassium, which is necessary for electrical activity of heart, can lead to cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death)

Female Athlete Triad Collection of symptoms seen in female athletes consisting of eating disorders, amenorrhea (loss of menstruation) and osteoporosis (bone loss) Especially prevalent in sports that emphasize lean, athletic bodies; gymnastics, figure skating, diving, dance