Nutrition/ Eating Disorders

What is an eating disorder? An eating disorder is a compulsion to eat, or avoid eating, that negatively affects one's physical and mental health and can include life-threatening consequences.

Eating Disorder Stats 5-10 million females and 1 million males struggle with eating disorders. 42% of 1st-3rd graders want to be thinner. 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat. Most models are thinner than 98% of women. 25% of men and 45% of women are on a diet any given day.

What contributes to eating disorders?

Psychological factors- Decreased Self Esteem Lack of control in life Loneliness, depression, anger Interpersonal factors Troubled relationships History of being teased about weight Difficulty expressing emotions and feelings

Social factors Cultural pressures that glorify thinness Narrow definition of beauty Society values physical appearance, not inner beauty

5 Major Determinants of Body Weight Genetic influence. Number of fat cells which is partially determined by amount and type of food you eat at key changes in your life. Infancy Puberty Pregnancy Metabolism. Current diet and exercise. Age.

Calories What is a calorie? How many calories in one pound? The measure of energy found in food. How many calories in one pound? 3500 calories equal one pound.

Anorexia Nervosa- The relentless pursuit of thinness. Signs- Reads food labels; obsessed with diet books. Makes frequent excuses about food. (“I had a big lunch.”) Hides, plays with, or throws away food to avoid eating. Refuses to maintain normal body weight. Weighs 85% or less of expected weight for age and height. Person denies the dangers of low weight.(May drink a lot of water before a weigh in.) Is terrified of becoming fat. Reports feeling fat even when very thin.

Health effects of Anorexia Nervosa Bone density loss Low body temperature and blood pressure. Irregular heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest. Menstrual period stops.

Bulimia- The person eats a large amount of food and then purges by forcing self to vomit or use a laxative to force food through the body quickly. Signs- Person feels out of control while eating. Vomits, misuses laxatives, exercises, or fasts to get rid of calories. Believes self-worth requires being thin. Weight may fluctuate by 10 pounds. Calluses or scars on knuckles. Puffy “Chipmunk” cheeks. Smell of Vomit

Health Effects of Bulimia Stomach acid may damage teeth, mouth, and throat. Excessive vomiting can cause stomach to rupture. Malnutrition from lack of nutrients. Laxative use can cause kidney and liver damage. Broken blood vessels in the eyes. Chronic constipation from laxative abuse.

Binge Eating- Compulsive over eating. Signs- Has a history of diet failures. May weigh more than the cultural ideal. Frequent episodes of uncontrollable binge eating. (eats all the time, even when full) Feeling extremely distressed, guilty, depressed or upset during or after bingeing. No control with food. No regular attempts to “make up” for the binges through vomiting, fasting, or over-exercising.

Health Effects of Binge Eating Type 2 diabetes High cholesterol High blood pressure Heart disease   Certain types of cancer Joint and muscle pain Gastrointestinal problems Sleep apnea

Yo-Yo Dieting “Yo-Yo" dieting - a continuing pattern of gaining and losing weight. Diet includes bouts of starvation, missing meals, or very low calories - you are setting yourself up for the yo-yo effect.

YO YO continued The body adapts, and decides that energy must be conserved - and metabolism begins to slow down. Often this can be a 'plateau' - the weight loss that was initially achieved begins to slow down or stop. The weight begins to come back on. And what's even worse, is that for some people, the lowered metabolism means they end up with more weight than what they started at!

Overweight vs. Obesity Obesity= abnormally high proportion of body fat. Overweight= Excess muscle, bone, fat and/or body water relative to height.