10 Questions
What is the primary difference between disordered eating and an eating disorder?
Disordered eating involves occasional unhealthy eating habits, while an eating disorder is a diagnosable condition.
How is orthorexia different from healthy eating?
Orthorexia involves an obsessive focus on eating only food one perceives to be healthy.
What kind of eating behavior is characteristic of anorexia nervosa?
Extreme restriction of food intake and an intense fear of gaining weight
What are the health consequences of eating disorders?
Severe physical and mental health issues, including malnutrition and depression
Which of the following is a common reason why an individual might choose to starve themselves?
To meet societal beauty standards or personal body image expectations
Which of these is an example of disordered eating reflecting an unhealthy relationship with body image and food?
Skipping meals frequently to lose weight
How are eating disorders similar to other mental illnesses like anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder?
They involve distorted thinking and behaviors that negatively impact daily functioning.
Why do eating disorders rarely resolve without professional treatment?
The behaviors and thought patterns are deeply ingrained and require specialized interventions.
Which of the following is often more effective in treating an eating disorder than individual therapy?
Family therapy
What is a key characteristic of disordered eating?
Extreme worry about food quality or ingredients
Study Notes
Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders
Difference between Disordered Eating and Eating Disorder
- Disordered eating refers to irregular eating habits that can develop into an eating disorder
- Eating disorder is a mental illness that causes major disturbances in eating behaviors
Examples of Disordered Eating
- Obsessively counting calories
- Frequently dieting
- Classifying foods as "good" or "bad"
- Feeling shame or guilt about eating
- Being preoccupied with weight, food, or appearance
- Overeating when bored or anxious
- Orthorexia (an obsession with healthy eating that leads to negative health consequences)
Eating Disorders
- Associated with multiple types of behaviors and high frequency
- Can disrupt normal functioning in some way
- Include anorexia nervosa, avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder
Risk Factors for Eating Disorders
- Physical factors: having a close relative with an eating disorder, having a close relative with another mental illness, and having a history of dieting or restricting calories
- Mental factors: having an anxiety disorder, being depressed, and being a perfectionist
- Social factors: media images, societal and family expectations, lack of respect for diversity, teasing, social isolation, and a history of trauma
Health Effects of Eating Disorders
- Cardiovascular system: heart damage, heart failure, and death
- Digestive system: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and fecal incontinence
- Nervous system: cramps, headaches, fainting, and dizziness, menstrual irregularities
- Other effects: low basal metabolic rate, immune system weakening, anemia, kidney failure, and death
Treating Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating
- Requires a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including a therapist, doctor, dietitian, and sometimes a psychiatrist
- Involves addressing mental and physical effects of eating disorders
- Warning signs include fluctuations in weight, digestive conditions, lack of menstruation, and extreme concern about appearance
Warning Signs of Eating Disorders
- Fluctuations in weight
- Digestive conditions
- Lack of menstruation in females
- Dizziness, fainting, and weakness
- Feeling cold all the time
- Dental issues
- Yellow skin, lanugo, and discolored hands and feet
- Cuts or calluses on top of finger joints
- Impaired immune function and healing
- Fixation on appearance, weight, and food
- Discomfort eating around others
- Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Extreme concern about appearance
- Extreme mood swings
- Refusing to eat certain foods
- Not eating or eating very small amounts
- Frequent dieting
Therapy for Eating Disorders
- Involves talking with a trusted adult or contacting the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline
- Therapists can help people manage eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors
- Types of therapy include individual and family therapy
- Family therapy involves parents or guardians and siblings in treatment
- Therapy can help people create healthier eating behaviors, expand the types of foods they are comfortable eating, and avoid linking their self-esteem with their weight and appearance
Learn about the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders, their health effects, warning signs, and treatment options.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
