Chapter Fourteen

HOW EATING PATTERNS DEVELOP

  • Developmental processes influence eating habits, occurring through several stages in early life into adolescence.

Normal Development

  • Developmental milestones impact eating behavior.

  • Early childhood marked by varied eating habits; picky eating prevalent.

  • Approximately 1 in 4 children under 12 are considered picky eaters (Mascola, Bryson, & Agras, 2010).

  • Picky eating more common among girls than boys (Rydell & Dahl, 2005).

Disturbed Eating Attitudes

  • Early concerns regarding weight emerge as children approach adolescence.

  • Societal norms and media influence girls' fears about body image around age 9 (Philipsen & Brooks-Gunn, 2008).

  • Parental and peer comments further compound weight concerns and shape identity.

Early Eating Habits

  • Disturbances in eating habits during childhood often foreshadow later eating disorders.

  • Exposure to dieting and related behaviors, especially in girls, correlates with increased risk in adolescence.

  • Teasing or social rejection based on weight can exacerbate issues related to body image and eating behaviors (Lawler & Nixon, 2011).

DEVELOPMENTAL RISK FACTORS

  • Factors shaping eating disorders include genetic, psychological, and sociocultural influences.

  • Childhood experiences with food and responses to early nutritional issues can influence long-term habits.

Contexts of Risk

  • Reports indicate social pressures around weight increase likelihood of disordered eating behaviors.

  • Environmental influences like family dynamics can significantly shape self-regulation regarding eating and body image.

OBESITY

  • Obesity defined as excessive body fat that may lead to health complications.

  • Affects approximately 1 in 6 children and adolescents in North America (CDC, 2014).

  • Associated with negative physical and psychological effects, including higher chances of developing eating disorders later on (Puhl & Latner, 2007).

Prevalence and Development

  • Childhood obesity has rapidly increased in prevalence across the last three decades.

  • Rates in boys aged 7 to 13 have tripled from the early 1980s to mid-2000s (Ogden et al., 2010).

  • Obesity is often stigmatized, impacting children's social interactions and self-image, leading to potential future eating disorders.

Causes of Obesity

  • Key factors include familial influences, economic status, and social environment.

  • Higher rates of obesity found in Hispanic boys and non-Hispanic black girls, influenced by cultural perceptions towards body size (CDC, 2011b).

  • Limited access to healthy food options in low-income neighborhoods contributes to disparities in obesity rates.

FEEDING AND EATING DISORDERS

  • Discusses disorders that first manifest during early childhood.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

  • Characterized by avoidance or restriction of food leading to significant weight loss or nutritional deficiency.

  • Symptoms must include significant weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, or marked psychosocial impairment.

  • Often linked to poor caregiver interactions or environmental factors.

Pica

  • Symptoms include the consumption of inedible substances; prevalent among young children and individuals with intellectual disabilities.

  • Potentially serious if untreated; risks include lead poisoning or intestinal obstruction (Bryant-Waugh et al., 2010).

EATING DISORDERS OF ADOLESCENCE

  • Disorders primarily affect adolescent and young adult populations.

Anorexia Nervosa

  • Defined by refusal to maintain a normal body weight, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body perception.

  • Diagnostic criteria specify either significant weight loss or maintenance below minimally normal levels (Table 14.1).

Bulimia Nervosa

  • Characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain (Table 14.2).

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

  • Associated with episodes of excessive eating coupled with a feeling of loss of control but without compensatory behaviors (Table 14.3).

  • Recent rise in prevalence among adolescents (1.5% to 3%) indicates a need for awareness of weight status and mental health implications (Stice, Marti, & Rohde, 2013).

Treating Eating Disorders

  • Treatment involves understanding the interplay of multiple biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors influencing the disorders.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Best established treatment for bulimia nervosa, addressing dysfunctional thoughts about food and body image.

  • CBT aims to modify eating behaviors, enhance self-regulation, and correct cognitive distortions.

Family-Based Interventions

  • Engaging family members in the treatment process has been shown to improve outcomes, especially in adolescents (Galsworthy-Francis & Allan, 2014).

Conclusion

  • Discusses the importance of recognizing and addressing eating disorders early.

  • Prevention efforts are essential, focusing on healthy eating patterns and positive body image.

SECTION SUMMARY

  • Eating disorders affect both psychological and physical well-being and are shaped by various societal and familial pressures.

  • Early intervention is crucial to establish healthy eating behaviors and prevent chronic issues.

KEY TERMS

  • Anorexia Nervosa

  • Avoidant/Restrictive food intake disorder

  • Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

  • Bulimia Nervosa

  • Compensatory behaviors

  • Metabolism