Eating Disorders

Question 1

What are the characteristics of eating disorders?

Answer 1

Disturbance of eating behaviours, obessions and/or concerns with food, eating & body image.

Question 2

TRUE or FALSE. Eating disorders are more prevalent in western society?

Answer 2

TRUE.

Question 3

What are the main factors of the biopsychosocial theory?

Answer 3

Biological Factors (i.e. possible genetic predisposition, stress-associated neurochemical abnormalities)
Psychological factors (i.e. low self-esteem, distorted body image, irrational thoughts and beliefs about food & weight)
Social Factors (i.e. family relationships & related concerns and conflicts, cultural emphasis that thinness equates to beauty & success).

Question 4

What are physical heath complications from experiencing an eating disorder?

Answer 4

	Cardiovascular effects
	Kidney Dysfunction
	Endocrine effects
	Musculoskeletal effects
	Dental effects
	Skin effects
	Neurological effects

Question 5

What is anorexia nervosa?

Answer 5

Characterised by a refusal to maintain normal/healthy body weight for age and height, an intense fear of gaining weight. Even when a person is excessively thin they perceive themselves as overweight and/or focus on particular parts which they see as large or unattractive.

Question 6

Is weight loss a concern for an individual with anorexia nervosa?

Answer 6

NO. Weight loss is considered a measure of successful dicipline and control.

Question 7

What is bulimia Nervosa?

Answer 7

Binge-eating behaviour followed by inappropriate compensatory weigh loss behaviour .

Question 8

What are compensatory weight loss behaviors?

Answer 8

Self-induced vomiting, fasting, overuse of laxatives, ecessive exercising.

Question 9

What can nurses do to help?

Answer 9

Support appropriate coping methods, improve the persons body image

Question 10

What are the principles of family-based therapy (FBT)?

Answer 10

• Agnostic view of illness: FBT takes an agnostic view of the eating disorder, meaning we do not waste time trying to analyse why the eating disorder developed.
• Initial symptom focus: FBT prioritizes full nutrition and prevention of eating disorder behaviours.
• Family responsible for refeeding/addressing behaviours: Parents provide full nutrition by taking charge of meals for their child.
• Non-authoritarian stance: The therapist actively collaborates with parents who are full members of their child’s treatment team. Parents are seen as the experts on their child.
• Externalisation of illness: The illness is seen as an external force that has possessed the child and is attacking their health. Parents and providers join forces with the healthy part of the teen to fight off the eating disorder.

Question 11

Is there any particular medications that is used to help treat an Eating Disorder?

Answer 11

Antidepressants and anxiolytics can help with reduce the compulsion thoughts surrounding fasting & frequency of disturbed eating behaviours such as binge-eating or vomiting.