(WL) Eating Disorders Lesson

Eating Disorders

image of lean person looking in mirror and overweight person in reflection When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?

Body image is the way you see your body. Some teens may compare their bodies to those of models, athletes or actors and actresses. Teens may feel pressure by their friends and/or family to look a certain way.

An eating disorder is a complex illness that involves harmful attitudes about the body, self and food. People of all age and both genders can develop eating disorders. They are most common among teens and young adults, especially females.

Review the definitions in the activity below.

Eating disorders are extreme, harmful eating behaviors that can cause serious illness or even death. Eating disorders are classified as a mental illness and emotional illness and they are often linked to depression, low self-esteem or troubled personal relationships. Social and cultural forces that emphasize physical appearance can also play a role. These disorders can run in families and genetics may even be a factor. Anorexia can lead to serious illness, even death. Binge eating can cause the stomach or esophagus to burst. Purging can damage teeth and cause heart failure. Other long-term medical problems are: heart and kidney problems, breathing difficulties and digestive problems.

Some warning signs of eating disorders are:

Refusing to eat
Eating tiny amounts
Regularly eating large amounts of food
Extreme weight loss
Weight fluctuates up and down
More frequent and intense exercise than normal
Eating secretly
Disappearing after eating - often to the bathroom
Unhealthy teeth and gums
Loss of menstrual cycle
Use of diet pills or laxatives

Treatment often includes medical or dental care and nutritional and psychological counseling. Family and friends can help being alert of the warning signs, encouraging the person to seek professional help and by being supportive and patient.

General Symptoms and Consequences

Text Transcript

Weakness and Muscle Loss -> Sensitivity to Cold -> Growth Failure -> Dehydration -> Hair Loss and Dry Skin -> Low Blood Pressure -> Diabetes -> Sore and Inflamed Throat -> Damaged Teeth -> Fatigue and Fainting -> Weight Loss -> Acid Reflux -> Infertility ->Slow Heart Rate -> Osteoporosis -> Swollen Glands -> Obesity (binge eating)

Specific Symptoms

Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa	Binge Eating	Bulimia Nervosa
Inadequate food intake Intense fear of weight gain; obsession with weight Self-esteem overly related to body image Inability to appreciate the severity of the situation	A feeling of being out of control during a binge eating episode Frequent episodes of consuming very large amounts of food (but without self-induced vomiting) Feeling of strong shame or guilt regarding disorder Eating when not hungry or to the point of discomfort	A feeling of being out of control during a binge eating episode Frequent episodes of consuming very large amounts of food (followed by self-induced vomiting) Self-esteem overly related to body image

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