Eating Disorders

Body image

The way one’s body is perceived, felt about, or critiqued.

What two behaviors can body image influence?

• Eating behaviors (on a continuum)

• Exercise behavior (can become addictive)

Disordred Eating

Atypical eating behaviors to achieve or maintain a lower body weight

Eating Disorder

A psychiatric condition involving extreme body dissatisfaction and long-term eating patterns that impair body functioning, often with distorted body image

What areas of functioning can eating disorders affect?

Physical, nutritional and psychological functioning

Name some triggers for eating disorders

• Sociocultural

• Economic Factors 

List key contributing factors to eating disorders

• Genetics 

• Family Influence 

• Personality and Comorbidities

• Media 

• Sociocultural Pressures

How can genetics play a role?

Through genes that affect:

• hunger

• satiety

• body weight 

• inherited personality traits

What is anorexia nervosa?

Self-starvation leading to severe nutrient deficiency

What psychological issue is central to anorexia nervosa?

Intense fear of gaining weight and disturbances in body image

What are two behavior patterns seen in anorexia nervosa?

Restricting type and binge-eating/purging type

What are some effects of anorexia?

• Life-threatening complications

• Severe undernutrition

• Lean tissue used for energy

• Nonvital functions shut down

• Electrolyte imbalance (can cause heart failure)

• Amenorrhea.

What is amenorrhea?

No menstrual periods for at least 3 months

How common is anorexia?

• 1 in 200 women

• 20% die prematurely

• About 0.04% of men affected

What characterizes bulimia nervosa?

Recurrent episodes of binge eating and behaviors to prevent weight gain

Define binge eating

Eating a quantity of food large for the person and time frame

What psychological issues are common in bulimia?

• Intense fear of becoming fat

• Negative body image

• Distorted perception

• Social isolation

What are two types of bulimic behaviors?

• Non-purging (fasting, excessive exercise)

• Purging (vomiting, laxatives, enemas)

List common compensatory behaviors

• Vomiting

• Laxatives

• Diuretics

• Fasting

• Excessive exercise

What are some physical signs of bulimia?

• Sore throat

• Swollen glands

• Worn enamel

• GERD

• Intestinal distress

• Electrolyte imbalance

• Kidney problems

• Dehydration

Lifetime rates of bulimia in men vs. women?

• Men: 0.1%

• Women: 0.5%

What is a key treatment approach for bulimia?

• Separating eating from emotions/perceptions

• Promoting eating based on hunger and satiety.

What distinguishes BED from bulimia?

Binge eating occurs but is not followed by compensatory behaviors

What feelings often accompany BED episodes?

• Guilt

• Shame

• Eating alone

• Eating rapidly

How much more likely are people with BED to be obese?

3–6 times more likely

What is the population prevalence of BED?

1.2% of the adult population

What are some psychological consequences of BED?

• Low self-esteem

• Social avoidance

• Depression

• Negative thoughts

Diagnostic criteria for BED?

• Binge eating at least once per week for 3 months

• Plus behaviors like rapid eating

• Eating until uncomfortable

• Large amounts

• Guilt

• Embarrassment

• Definition: Self-starvation → severe nutrient deficiency.

• Psychological: Fear of weight gain, distorted body image.

• Behaviors: Restricting or binge-purge patterns.

• Consequences: Organ failure, amenorrhea, electrolyte imbalance.

• Gender: Mostly women; serious mortality risk.

Anorexia Nervosa

• Definition: Cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to avoid weight gain.

• Behaviors: Vomiting, fasting, exercise, laxatives.

• Physical signs: Throat inflammation, tooth decay, dehydration.

• Psychological: Fear of fatness, negative self-image.

• Prevalence: More common in women than men.

• Treatment: Focus on separating eating from emotions and hunger cues

Bulimia Nervosa

• Definition: Binge episodes without purging behaviors.

• Symptoms: Guilt, rapid eating, eating alone.

• Risk: Higher likelihood of obesity.

• Consequences: Psychological distress, social withdrawal, depression.

• Criteria: At least 1 episode/week for 3 months.

Binge-Eating Disorder