Food for Thought
What you should know about eating disorders—an information and resource guide for the Emory University Community.
EATING DISORDERS
How do you feel about your body? If you are like many women on Emory?s campus and other college campuses, you are not happy with it. In the 1990?s, the media has defined the perfect body as slender. Unfortunately, many individuals—especially women—accept the message that in order to be happy, accepted and problem-free, one must have the perfect body. They often start out with a diet and before they know it, they are either engaging in eating-disordered behavior or have developed an eating disorder. Eating disorders are a problem on the Emory University campus that cannot be ignored.
This web site was developed to increase awareness about eating disorders and list available resources. It will discuss the psychological and physical symptoms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. This site will provide information for individuals suffering with an eating disorder, for those who may be concerned about their eating behaviors, and for the friends of those with eating disorders.
CHECKLIST—Do you have a problem with food?
MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EATING DISORDERS
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF EATING DISORDERS
GETTING HELP
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
Anorexia nervosa is a condition or syndrome typified by a group of thoughts and behaviors, including an intense preoccupation with food, an irrational fear of getting fat (although the person is obviously underweight), refusal to maintain a healthy body weight, and a distorted body image. When this person looks in the mirror (s)he believes that the image viewed is fat or that certain parts of the body are fat when, in actuality, the person may be emaciated.
Anorexics may use their eating disorders as a means of having some control because of feeling that others control so many aspects of their lives. Anorexia seems to develop in persons with certain personality traits, such as extreme perfectionism and a need for order, certainty, and routine. These individuals are often emotionally sensitive, uncomfortable with change, and compliant.
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BULIMIA NERVOSA
Persons with bulimia nervosa engage in binge-purge cycles. The cycle begins when the person eats large amounts of food in a short period of time (binge). This is usually followed by feelings of intense guilt, which lead the bulimic to induce vomiting, abuse laxatives and/or diuretics, and/or engage in excessive exercise (purge).
Some bulimics have feelings of numbness and comfort from the anticipation of the binge-purge cycle. The cycle can continue for years and, in some cases, can occur several times a day.
Persons with bulimia are often hungry for love, approval, and acceptance. Like the anorexic, the bulimic is overly concerned with body weight. The bulimic often believes that the purging will stop weight gain. Bulimics differ from anorexics in that they usually maintain a steady body weight.
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BINGE EATING DISORDER
Persons with binge eating disorders usually consume food on impulse. The food is sometimes consumed in an abnormal pattern, such as binging or consuming the food in secrecy. Once the person begins eating, (s)he may not have the ability to stop. S(he) may alternate between dieting and overeating.
Binge eaters can binge, or eat several smaller quantities of food throughout the day, but they do not purge. Binge eating disorder, like anorexia and bulimia, is an unhealthy way of dealing with emotions, stress, or conflicts. Food is used as a comfort to hide or distance the person from painful feelings.
The binge eater usually has uncontrollable eating habits, which may cause problems in many areas of his or her life. It is not an issue of willpower.
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MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EATING DISORDERS
Medical Complications
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Anorexia
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Bulimia
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Binge
Eating Disorder
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Increase in fine hair on the body (Lanugo)
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x |
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Loss of monthly menstrual periods
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x |
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Dehydration
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x |
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Tooth Decay
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x |
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Obesity
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|
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x |
Possible elevated blood pressure and or heart disease
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|
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x |
Sensitivity to cold
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x |
x |
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Loss of hair, brittle nails, and abnormal complexion
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x |
x |
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Irregularities in heart function
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x |
x |
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Gastrointestinal problems
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x |
x |
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Kidney problems
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x |
x |
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Menstrual irregularities
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|
x |
x |
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COMMON SYMPTOMS OF EATING DISORDERS
Symptoms
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Anorexia
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Bulimia
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Binge
Eating Disorder
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Refusal to eat, except tiny portions
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x |
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Intense fear of gaining weight
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x |
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Excessive weight lose in a relatively short period of time
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x |
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Belief that body is fat, or that certain parts of the body are fat, even though severely underweight
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x |
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Continuation of dieting although bone-thin
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x |
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Perfectionism
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x |
x |
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Purging by excessive exercise
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x |
x |
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Control Issues
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x |
x |
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Unusual interest in food and development of eating rituals
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x |
x |
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Obsession with exercise
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x |
x |
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Eating in secret
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x |
x |
x |
Withdrawal and depression
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x |
x |
x |
Dissatisfaction with appearance
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x |
x |
x |
Preoccupation with food and weight
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x |
x |
x |
Diminished self-esteem
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x |
x |
x |
Feelings of shame and guilt
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x |
x |
x |
Binging
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x |
x |
Alternating between overeating and dieting
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x |
x |
Abuse of drugs and alcohol
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x |
x |
Vomiting or use of drugs to stimulate vomiting, bowel movements, and urination
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x |
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Binging without noticeable weight gain
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x |
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