This past week in Wellness class, our guest speaker Karen Sablon of Floyd Medical Center spoke to freshmen about the four main types of eating disorders.
Anorexia Nervosa
Characterized by extremely low body weight, failure to maintain one's weight at 85% above the given weight for height and age, distorted body image, and an obsessive fear of gaining weight.
Bulimia
Characterized by recurrent binge eating; the most common form is defensive vomiting, sometimes called purging, fasting, using laxatives, enemas and diuretics. In addition, over-exercising can be characterized as bulimia.
Binge
Characterized by frequently consuming large amounts of food. This disorder is very common among obese people; it is not followed by purging like bulimia is.
Pica
Characterized by an appetite for substances that are non-nutritive such as metal, clay, coal, chalk, soap and mucus. In order for the disorder to be considered pica, the consumption of such items must persist for more than one month where eating such an object would be considered developmentally inappropriate. Pica is common in children, those with developmental disabilities and pregnant women.
Many people think that a person with an eating disorder is going to appear extremely thin or underweight. This is not necessarily true, and if the eating disorder is discovered when the individual is grossly underweight it may be too late to reverse organ damage. Often times, people who are suffering from an eating disorder have a gradual weight loss over a period of a year. Those individuals suffering from bulimia are not usually underweight, but rather maintain their weight with a binge and purge pattern.
When trying to recognize an eating disorder in adolescents, there are a few signs that could apply to all four eating disorders.
Loss of Control
When your teen loses control of everything else in his or her life, such as family issues, divorce, death, low grades, sickness and social problems, an eating disorder can develop. People with eating disorders commonly feel like the only thing they have left that they are able to control is their body. This creates certain obsessive behaviors that can lead to an eating disorder.
Depression
People with an eating disorder commonly have clinical depression as well. Adolescents that have been diagnosed with depression should be monitored for eating disorders.
Low Self-Esteem
Adolescents with low self-esteem often have a distorted body image which can lead to an eating disorder.
If you know someone who may be suffering from an eating disorder, there are many resources available to them. Have them contact their family practitioner, a counselor or pastor. Offer your support and encouragement and know that there is help available.
Visit the following link for more information on eating disorders: National Eating Disorder Association.
