What is an eating disorder?

Insufficient or excessive food intake, affecting one’s mental and physical health, impacted by psychological, biological, and social factors. These include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), and Binge Eating Disorder.

 

Anorexia Nervosa

A disorder characterized by self-induced starvation, refusal to maintain a normal body weight, serious and potentially life-threatening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signs/ Symptoms Dramatic weight loss Intense fear of weight gain and being fat when not overweight Distortion of body weight or body image Preoccupation with food/calories/nutrition Development of food rituals Excuses to avoid mealtimes Denial of hunger Excessive and rigid exercising Frequent weighing Excessive dieting Feeling bloated or nauseated after eating normal or less than normal amounts of food Withdrawal from usual friends and activities Feeling cold even though the temperature is normal Interruption of menstrual cycle in females

Health Consequences/Complications Depression Fatigue Constipation Hair loss, dry hair and skin Severe malnutrition Loss of muscle and weakness Increased susceptibility to infection Severe dehydration (possible kidney failure) Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, increase risk for heart failure Fainting Appearance of fine body and facial hair (Lanugo) Osteoporosis (reduction of bone density) Death

 

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Bulimia Nervosa

A disorder characterized by episodes of rapid consumption of excessive amounts of food (bingeing) that lead to guilt and efforts to get rid of food (purging).

 

 

 

 

Signs/ Symptoms Feeling out of control in situations involving food Frequent weight fluctuations Excessive concerns about weight Reacting to emotional stress by overeating Expressing guilt or shame about eating Strict dieting followed by periods of binge eating Compensatory behaviors include: self-induced vomiting diuretic abuse fasting obsessive or compulsive exercise laxative abuse self-induced vomiting Depressive moods Swelling of the cheeks or jaw area Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting Staining of the teeth

Health Consequences/Complications Electrolyte abnormalities/imbalances Dehydration Chronic Irregular bowel movements and constipation relative to laxative use Dental Decay from stomach acids released during vomiting Esophageal inflammation, tears and rupture Swollen glands Cardiac arrhythmias Pancreatitis Death

 

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Binge Eating Disorder

A disorder characterized by repeated episodes of bingeing but without purging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signs/ Symptoms Episodes of eating large quantities of food during a short period of time Feelings of shame or disgust related to behavior Eating in the absence of hunger Feeling out of control when eating Feeling guilty about eating Eating during stressful times to feel better Eating in secret

Health Consequences/Complications High cholesterol High blood pressure Heart disease Gallbladder disease Obesity Increased risk of type 2 diabetes

 

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Disordered Eating

Unhealthy eating habits or body image that has not become a recognized eating disorder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signs/ Symptoms Yo-yo dieting Eliminating entire food groups Obsessive thoughts about exercise Occasional binge eating or purging Off-balanced approaches to nutrition

Health Consequences/Complications Developing an eating disorder Gallstones Decreased metabolism