Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa• Self-starvation

▫Essential nutrients are denied (no or little food) so the body slows down all normal processes to conserve energy.

• Health consequences▫Low blood pressure / heart rate▫Muscle loss / weakness▫Dehydration▫Fainting / fatigue▫Dry hair and skin

•90-95% are female so, 5-10% are male.•Similar characteristics:

▫Preoccupied with weight Males may have preoccupation with body

building, weight lifting or toning.▫Compulsive exercise▫Frequently weighing oneself▫Distorted body image

Bulimia Nervosa

•Typically a binge – purge method▫Binge – secret periods of quickly eating

high-calorie dense foods.▫Purge – more than the typical vomiting.

•80% are female•Health consequences:

▫Irregular heartbeat = heart failure = death.

▫Tooth decay▫Ulcers

Signs and Symptoms (Anorexia & Bulemia)• Weight loss• No or irregular

periods• Fatigue• Decreased

concentration• Stress fractures• Muscle injuries• Low heart rate/BP• Heart irregularities• May even have chest

pain

• Continued dieting • Preoccupation with

food/weight• Frequent trips to

bathroom during and after meals

• Using laxatives• Brittle nails/hair• Dental cavities• Sensitivity to cold

Binge Eating Disorder

•The most common eating disorder.▫Affects about 3% of U.S. adults.▫Slightly more common in women than men.

•Signs & symptoms:▫ Eat a large amount of food quickly during binge.▫ Eating a large amount until uncomfortable full.▫ Eating large amounts of food when not hungry.▫ Eating alone because embarrassed about amount of food.▫ May have feelings of guilt or depression after overeating.

Binge Eating Disorder

•Large amounts of food consumed (binge) but typically NO purging. ▫This is different than bulemia.

•Complications from binge eating disorder:▫Type 2 Diabetes▫High blood pressure▫High cholesterol▫Heart disease▫Certain types of cancer

Prevention

•Look at your own beliefs, attitudes, behaviors about food, weight, body image, physical appearance and exercise.

•Open communication•Healthy modeling. (setting a good example)•Critical thinking•Exercise should equal feeling better not

looking better.•Don’t use food as a reward or punishment

More information

•“Dying to be thin” www.pbs.org▫Nova program

Obesity

What is obesity?

•“The most prevalent, fatal, chronic, relapsing disorder of the 21st century.” (obesity.org, 2010)

•An excess of adipose tissue▫Happens for different reasons

•Currently 66% of Americans are overweight or obese.

cdc.gov

cdc.gov

cdc.gov

Obesity & Health

•Associated with almost every chronic disease.▫Diabetes▫High blood pressure / Heart disease /

Stroke▫Gallbladder disease▫Sleep apnea▫Cancer

Causes of obesity•Bigger portions

Salty snacks increased from 132 calories to 225 calories

Soft drinks increased from 144 calories to 193 calories

Hamburgers increased from 389 calories to 486 calories.

▫ American Heart Association

Portion Distortion

Causes: Less Nutrition•Fruits & Vegetables

▫Only 14% of children (6-19 y/o) meet the daily recommendation for 2-4 daily servings of fruit.

▫Only 20% get the recommended daily serving of vegetables

•Whole grains▫Although at least two servings are

recommended: Children get less than one serving per day.

Causes: Milk consumption

American Heart Association

Causes: Added sugar

•Found in: soft drinks, fruit drinks, sports beverages, energy drinks, and processed foods.

American Heart Association

Causes: Eating OutApproximately 40% of budgeted food

money is spent away from home.Americans’ spending on fast food:

Increased from $60 billion to $110 billion in the last 30 years.

American Heart Association

Causes: Lack of Physical Exercise

•Although at least 30 minutes of moderate activity is recommended daily.

•Schools have dropped PE classes•Media has replaced activity•Neighborhoods may be unsafe•Work / Commute•Technology

Let’s Move

•http://letsmove.gov/