Eating Disorders Flashcards
What are the two most common classifications of eating disorders? Briefly describe each.
The two most common classifications are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa involves self-starvation and maintaining a significantly low body weight, driven by an intense fear of weight gain. Bulimia nervosa is characterised by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviours, such as self-induced vomiting or laxative misuse.
How prevalent are eating disorders, and what trends are being observed globally?
Eating disorders have a lifetime prevalence exceeding 10% and a point prevalence of at least 5%, with rates rising globally. This indicates a significant public health concern, with a substantial portion of the population experiencing these disorders at some point in their lives.
Describe three warning signs that could indicate someone is struggling with an eating disorder.
Three warning signs of an eating disorder include: (1) Preoccupation with body weight and shape, (2) Obsessive behaviours around food, such as calorie counting or restrictive eating, and (3) Rapid, unexplained weight loss or fluctuations.
What is the key difference between the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa in ICD-11 and DSM-V?
ICD-11 uses a BMI threshold (less than 18.5 kg/m2 in adults) to diagnose anorexia nervosa, while DSM-V focuses on significantly low body weight “in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health.” Essentially, DSM-V takes a more holistic approach, considering individual factors beyond just BMI.
Explain the concept of “re-feeding syndrome” and its relevance to eating disorder treatment.
Re-feeding syndrome is a potentially fatal condition that can occur when severely malnourished individuals (often those with anorexia) begin receiving nutrition again. This is due to sudden shifts in electrolytes and fluids, leading to serious complications. Understanding this syndrome is crucial for safely reintroducing nutrition to patients with eating disorders
Outline three key distinctions between bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
Key distinctions include: (1) Bulimia involves purging behaviours after binge eating, while binge eating disorder does not. (2) Individuals with bulimia are often within or above a normal weight range, while those with binge eating disorder may be overweight or obese. (3) Bulimia has a stronger emphasis on body image concerns than binge eating disorder.
What are the primary characteristics of avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)?
ARFID is characterised by a persistent avoidance or restriction of food intake, leading to significant weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, or impairment in psychosocial functioning. Importantly, this restriction is not driven by body image concerns, distinguishing it from anorexia.
Define pica and explain why it can pose health risks.
Pica is the persistent consumption of non-nutritive substances (e.g., clay, dirt, paper) that have no nutritional value. This can be dangerous due to the potential ingestion of toxic substances or the development of nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal blockages.
What is OSFED, and why was it introduced in the DSM-V classification system?
OSFED stands for Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder and was introduced in DSM-V to encompass individuals who experience clinically significant eating disorder symptoms but do not meet the full criteria for other specific diagnoses. This recognises that eating disorders can present in diverse ways and ensures appropriate care for those who may not fit neatly into existing categories.
Describe the multifactorial nature of eating disorder aetiology, citing three examples of risk factors.
Eating disorders arise from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Examples of risk factors include: (1) Genetic predisposition, as eating disorders tend to run in families, (2) Psychological traits like perfectionism and low self-esteem, and (3) Sociocultural pressures that emphasize thinness as an ideal, particularly prevalent in Westernized societies.
