Eating Disorders Types of eating disorders o Anorexia nervosa self starvation excessive weight loss highest mortality rate o Bulimia nervosa binging and purging Factors that can contribute to eating disorders o Psychological Low self esteem Feelings of lack of control in life Depression anxiety anger loneliness o Intrapersonal Troubled family and personal relationships Difficulty expressing emotions and feelings History of being teased about size or weight History of physical or sexual abuse Cultural pressures that value thinness Narrow definitions of beauty Cultural norms emphasizing physical appearance o Social o Other Scientific research into biochemical or biological causes is on going Incidence of eating disorders o About 11 million Americans more than 90 are women 12 25 years old o Athletes at risk Individual and endurance sports Sports emphasizing appearance Gymnasts runners wrestlers swimmers Diagnostic criteria for anorexia o Refusal to maintain body weight greater than the normal minimum o Intense fear of gaining weight and becoming fat even though for age and height underweight o Disturbance in perception or undue body influence of weight or shape on self evaluation or denial of the seriousness of current low body weight o Absence of at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles Anorexia o 1 of population o Below normal body weight o Nervous loss of appetite suppressed urge to eat o Fear of becoming fat o Highly intelligent perfectionists o Low self esteem o Symptoms Osteoporosis loss of bone density Muscle loss and weakness Dry hair and skin hair loss Severe dehydration kidney failure Slow heart rate low blood pressure Diagnostic criteria for bulimia o Feels incapable of the urge to binge o Consumes a larger amount of food than the normal person would o Purges self of recent intake by vomiting laxatives diuretics exercising etc o Purges at least 3 times per week for 3 months o Self evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight Bulimia o Characteristics More common than anorexia Fear of being fat Usually aware they have a problem Maintain normal body weight Can easily hide problem o Medical problems Purging Electrolyte imbalance Irregular heart beat Heart failure Death Possible ulcers rapture of stomach and or esophagus Tooth decay or staining Chronic irregular bowl movements Kidney and or liver damage Bloating or swelling Menstrual problems Anemia Malnutrition