Eating Disorders Overview

A disorder where a person persistently fails to meet their nutritional needs due to eating or feeding disturbance.

A category of eating disorders that don't fit the criteria for other recognized eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia or includes subacute, or developing, cases.

Subtypes of eating disorders that do not fully match the diagnostic criteria, but share symptoms.

An obsessive concern with healthy eating, often going too far and becoming detrimental.

An eating disorder characterized by behaviors meant to rid the body of food, often to maintain a very thin body image, without meeting the criteria for bulimia nervosa.

A disorder where a person frequently eats large amounts of food at night.

A behavior indicative of a feeding or eating disorder, where individuals chew food and spit it out instead of swallowing.

Physiological changes in aging affect nutritional status, creating variances in the specific needs for seniors

Factors that increase the chance of developing an eating disorder, including dieting, early childhood eating issues, weight concerns, negative self-perception, and trauma.

Events that trigger the onset of an eating disorder, such as puberty, family problems (like divorce), loss, or teasing about weight.

An eating disorder characterized by restrictive eating patterns, intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image.

An eating disorder involving binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (like purging) to prevent weight gain.

An eating disorder where a person eats large amounts of food quickly, feeling a lack of control during the episode, and experiencing distress.

A mental health condition where a person is preoccupied with imagined or minor flaws in their appearance.

Serious health problems like electrolyte imbalance, organ damage, and potentially death due to starvation and nutritional deficiencies.

Can lead to various organ problems, tooth enamel damage, and electrolyte imbalances due to purging behaviors.

Slowly reintroducing normal eating habits and gradually increasing weight to prevent refeeding syndrome.

Identifying and addressing misconceptions about food, interrupting the binge-purge cycle, ensuring adequate calories, and promoting a balanced diet.

Ways of dealing with painful feelings or emotions through behaviors that involve food.

Affecting all people, regardless of gender, age, background, or body type.

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) declines as you age. This means your body burns fewer calories at rest, making weight gain more likely. This is due to a decrease in muscle mass, bone mass, and overall activity levels.

As we age, our teeth may decay or become missing, making it difficult to consume fibrous foods. This affects chewing efficiency and the ability to obtain proper nutrition.

Older adults experience an increase in constipation due to slower peristalsis, reduced muscle tone, and lower fiber intake. They also produce less hydrochloric acid, which is crucial for protein digestion and nutrient absorption.

Kidneys work harder to concentrate urine, leading to potential difficulties. Sodium clearance also declines, contributing to higher blood pressure.

Our senses of vision, hearing, taste, and smell decline with age. This can impact overall enjoyment of food and influence dietary choices.

Older adults generally require fewer calories due to a slower metabolism and decreased muscle mass.

Older adults need more protein than younger adults to maintain muscle mass, which declines with age.

Older adults are more prone to dehydration, as they often have a reduced sense of thirst and medications can affect bladder function.

Specific vitamins and minerals are particularly important for older adults, including Calcium, Vitamin D, Iron, Sodium, and Vitamin B12.

MyPlate guidelines for older adults emphasize nutrient-dense, easy-to-prepare, and affordable foods.

Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes, often characterized by weakness, slow walking speed, unplanned weight loss, low physical activity, and exhaustion.

Poor nutrition contributes to frailty and can make it harder for older adults to maintain their health and independence.

Common nutritional concerns in older adults include cognitive decline, malnutrition, obesity, frailty, and sarcopenia.

A condition marked by significant loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, especially in older adults. It often stems from a sedentary lifestyle and inadequate nutrition.

Sarcopenia makes it difficult for older adults to maintain adequate nutrition due to diminished strength and endurance, leading to a cycle of dependency on others for meals.

Increasing protein intake can help maintain muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia. Recommend 1.0-1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.

A condition characterized by low bone mass, making bones weaker and more susceptible to fractures.

A severe condition where bone mass is drastically reduced, making bones extremely fragile and prone to fractures.

A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 is essential for bone health. Other minerals like phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, boron, and collagen also play critical roles.

Adequate protein intake (1.0-1.2 g/kg/day) is crucial for older adults to support bone health as collagen, the 'glue' holding minerals together, is made up of proteins.

Weight-bearing and weight-resistance exercises are crucial for maintaining bone strength in older adults. Think of activities like walking, dancing, lifting weights.

Repeated pattern of losing and regaining weight, often associated with dieting.

Weight cycling can increase inflammation, making you more susceptible to obesity-related diseases like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Calorie restriction triggers hormonal changes, slows down metabolism, and affects your brain, making it difficult to stick to a healthy lifestyle.

Fad diets often claim miraculous results, restrict specific food groups, and require you to buy special products.

Types of surgery that reduce the size of the stomach, limiting the amount of food you can eat, such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.

Surgery that alters the digestive system to reduce nutrient absorption, such as gastric bypass.

Restrictive bariatric surgery where a portion of the stomach is removed, making it smaller.

Both restrictive and malabsorptive bariatric surgery where the stomach is stapled and connected to a smaller part of the small intestine.