Eating Disorders Senior Health

Objectives Differentiate between common eating disorders Identify warning signs, risk factors, and symptoms Discuss how to help an individual with an eating disorder

Introduction Eating disorders are conditions that cause a person to have unhealthy thoughts and behaviors related to food and body image People go to the extreme with their food habits to personally address their condition Causes of eating disorders are thought to be due to a number of physical, psychological, cultural, and social factors

Introduction Continued... Eating disorders most common in teenage girls and young women, however they can occur in any sex or at any age Those with the disorders may develop serious health problems (malnutrition, dehydration) Other health risks – Menstrual period changes – Osteoporosis – Heart and organ complications Primary Treatment is counseling

True or False?

Quick Facts HERE WE GO... – Over 8 million people in the United States – 95% of those people between ages – ½ of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight – 42% of 1 st through 3 rd grade girls want to be thinner – 80% of 10 year olds are afraid of becoming fat – What percentage of people with eating disorders are men??? 10%

What is Anorexia (Nervosa)? What do people with Anorexia do? – People with Anorexia have an INTENSE fear of gaining weight. They severely limit the amount of food they eat, thus becoming dangerously thin. – Affects the body AND mind. A simply diet becomes an obsession and gets out of control (food, dieting, weight loss) – Distorted body image…

Anorexia Nervosa Starts in teen years and usually affects females Early treatment can be very effective, however if left untreated it can become a lifelong issue… early treatment is key. If untreated, it can lead to starvation and other serious health issues: – Osteoporosis… – Kidney damage/failure – Heart problems – Change in menstrual cycle

Symptoms of Anorexia People with the disorder are often in DENIAL or do not realize that have a problem Loved ones usually are the ones to get help Characteristics of those with Anorexia: – Weigh much less than healthy or normal – Are VERY afraid of gaining weight – Refuse to stay at a health weight – THINK they are overweight when they are thin (body image) – Obsess about food, weight, dieting – Limit their food intake – Over-exercise… – Go to the extreme to lose weight

Anorexia Diagnosis A person’s weight will be compared to a normal weight for someone of the same height and age Examinations on heart, lungs. BP, skin, hair… Blood work… “How do you feel?”…

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What is Bulimia (Nervosa)? What do people with bulimia do? – Binge and purge – Binging- eating a large amount of food in a short period of time – Purging- doing something to get rid of the food Self Induced Vomiting Over exercise Medicines/laxatives

What is Bulimia? Binge and Purge Cycle – People binge because it gives them a feeling of comfort – Eating too much then makes them feel out of control – After they binge, they feel ashamed, guilty, and afraid of gaining weight – Purging occurs

Health Risks Acid from vomiting results in tooth decay, gum disease, and loss of tooth enamel Osteoporosis Kidney damage/failure Heart problems

Symptoms of Bulimia Binging on a regular basis Large amounts of food are consumed over a couple of hours or less. While this is happening, people feel they are unable to stop eating and feel hopeless In an effort to avoid weight gain, people purge by: – vomiting – Exercising very hard for a long time – misusing laxatives, enemas, water pills (diuretics), and other medicines

Bulimia How can I know if someone has bulimia? – Bulimia is different from Anorexia…how? – Someone with Bulimia may be at a normal… – People with Bulimia are very, very, very….??? SECRETIVE – What they do: Go to the bathroom right after meals Overeat but do not gain weight Are secretive about eating, hides food, do not eat around others Has teeth marks or calluses on the back of her hands or swollen cheeks or jaws…this is caused by self induced vomiting

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Treatment of Eating Disorders Early treatment is crucial because the longer it is there, the harder it is to rid Those with only a few signs/symptoms should get help NOW Treatment can teach someone healthy eating habits and boost self confidence Physical only, right? – You may see a doctor, dietician, and counselor…hospital? – Treatment takes time and people can fall back into the disorder

Causes of Eating Disorders Causes are UNCLEAR and experts are in the dark about them Factors may include family history, social factors, and personality traits You may be more likely to have anorexia if: – A family member has had an eating disorder – Job/sport stresses body size… – You’re a perfectionist, never feel good enough, worries a lot – You’re dealing with stressful events…

What should you do? Tell someone who can make a difference – Parent – Teacher – Counselor – Doctor – Martin Mullarney SOONER THE BETTER!!!

Other Eating Disorders Binge Eating Disorder: Frequent episodes of eating what others consider abnormally large amounts of food…you are unable to control your eating, despite being full. – Elevated risk factors… – Disordered Eating: your eating habits have no sequence…restricting dieting, infrequent binging, infrequent purging, laxative abuse, diet pill abuse