Consumer Studies - Eating disorders (Anorexia and bulimia)

What is anorexia?

A psychological eating disorder and a fear of gaining weight

What are the characteristics of anorexia?

• People become obsessed with their weight and what they eat

• Secret denial - refusal to eat, limiting the amount of food or excessive exercise programs

• Linking self-worth to weight

What are the symptoms of anorexia?

• Physical

  • Excessive weight loss

  • Insomnia

  • Fatigue

  • Skeleton is visible through skin

  • Dry skin and hair

  • Osteoporosis

  • Irregular or stopped menstruation

  • Constipated

  • Abnormal blood count

• Emotional and behavioral

  • Distorted body image

  • Excessive exercise

  • Depressed

  • Denies hunger

  • Refuses to eat

What are the biological and environmental factors of anorexia?

• Genetic susceptibility

• Serotonin

• Being thin is emphasised by many magazines

• Peer pressure

How can you prevent and manage anorexia?

• No guaranteed cure

• Professional treatment

  • Psychologists

  • Support groups (such as EDSA - Eating Disorders South Africa and Hope Eating Disorder Centre)

  • Dietitians

  • Doctors

• Admitting that you have a problem

• Use supplements and meal replacements

What is bulimia?

Also known as bulimia nervosa and is a life-threatening disease when individuals secretly eat and then purge to get rid of the food. Comes in two categories.

What are the different categories of bulimia?

• Category 1

  • Vomit regularly and abuse certain drugs after binge eating sessions

    • Laxatives

    • Dehydrating agents

    • Enemas

• Category 2

  • Using extreme ways to get rid of kilojoules

    • Fasting for long periods of time

    • Following strict diets

    • Following excessive exercise programs

What are the characteristics of bulimia?

• Obsessed with weight and physique

• Blame themselves for any defect in the body

• Poor self esteem

What are the symptoms of bulimia?

• Eating until uncomfortable → no control over eating behaviour

• Self-induced vomiting

• Laxative abuse

• Fear of gaining weight

What are the causes of bulimia?

• Distorted ideals about themselves

• Social expectations

How to prevent and manage bulimia?

• Professional treatment

  • Psychologists

  • Dieticians

  • Medication

• Support groups

  • EDSA (Eating Disorders South Africa)

  • Hope Eating Disorder Centre