1. Maria Pierozzi Health Educator Barnstable Middle School at Hyannis
Eating Disorders
Maria Pierozzi
Health Educator
Barnstable Middle School at Hyannis
5/23/2019

2. Prevalence Of Eating Disorders ( Harvard Eating Disorders Center)
5-10 million U.S. Girls and women affected
1 million boys and men affected
Three percent of adolescent and adult women and 1% of men have anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder.
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3. Statistics on Disordered Eating (Harvard Eating Disorders Center)
42% of first through third-grade girls want to be thinner.
Girls as young as 6 or 7 report expectations of thinness.
In a study of 457 fourth graders, 40% reported "very often" or "sometimes" dieting.
Dieting, fear of fatness, and binge eating has been reported by 46% of 9-year-olds and 81% of 10-year-olds.
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4. What Parents Can Look for With Anorexia
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting.
Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions of whole categories of food (e.g. no carbohydrates, etc.).
Comments about feeling “fat” or overweight despite weight loss.
Anxiety about gaining weight or being “fat.”
Denial of hunger.
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5. Health Consequences of Anorexia
Reduced heart rate and decreased blood pressure, increasing risk of heart failure.
Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones.
Muscle loss and weakness.
Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.
Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
Dry hair and skin, hair loss is common.
Growth of a downy layer of hair called lanugo all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm.
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6. What parents can look for with Bulimia
Disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time.
Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics.
Rigid exercise regimen--despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury--the need to “burn off” calories taken in.
Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area.
Discoloration or staining of the teeth.
Behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns.
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7. Health Consequences of Bulimia
Electrolyte imbalance can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.
Inflammation of the esophagus from frequent vomiting.
Tooth decay and staining from contact with stomach acids.
Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse.
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8. Health Consequences of Binge Eating
High blood pressure.
High cholesterol levels.
Heart disease as a result of elevated triglyceride levels.
Type II diabetes mellitus.
Gallbladder disease.
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9. Causes of Eating Disorders
Psychological factors
Self esteem
Perceived lack of control in life
Depression, anxiety, anger or loneliness
Interpersonal factors
Difficulty with relationships
Trouble expressing feelings and emotions
History of being teased because of size
History of physical or sexual abuse
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10. Causes of Eating Disorders
Societal factors
Cultural pressures that glorify “thinness”
Narrow definitions of the beauty that include men and women of specific size
Culture that tends to value appearance more than inner qualities and strengths
Biological factors
Researchers working on whether there is a biochemical cause
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11. Steps to Take If You Suspect Your Child Has an Eating Disorder
Set a time to talk.
Communicate your concerns.
Ask your child to explore your concerns with a counselor, doctor, nutritionist, or health professional who is knowledgeable about eating issues.
Avoid conflicts or a battle of the wills with your child.
Avoid placing shame, blame, or guilt on your child regarding their actions or attitudes. Use “I” statements.
Avoid giving simple solutions.
Express your continued support.
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12. Resources Massachusetts Eating Disorder Association at (617) 558-1881.
Harvard Eating Disorders Center
Harvard Eating Disorders Center (HEDC)- a leading academic research center for eating disorders
National Eating Disorders Association
Parents
5/23/2019