Eating disorders Flashcards
What are eating disorders?
Serious mental health conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect physical and psychological well-being.
Eating disorders often stem from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
What is Anorexia Nervosa (AN)?
Marked by extreme food restriction, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.
Example: A 17-year-old girl refuses to eat more than 500 calories a day, believing she is overweight despite being underweight.
What are the effects of Anorexia Nervosa?
Malnutrition, osteoporosis, cardiovascular complications.
Diagnosis Criteria (DSM-5): BMI lower than 18.5, intense fear of weight gain, and restrictive behaviors.
What is Bulimia Nervosa (BN)?
Involves binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative abuse.
Example: A college student eats large amounts of food in one sitting and then forces themselves to vomit to prevent weight gain.
What are the effects of Bulimia Nervosa?
Electrolyte imbalance, gastrointestinal issues, dental erosion.
Diagnosis Criteria (DSM-5): Recurrent binge episodes with compensatory behaviors occurring at least once a week for three months.
What is Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
Characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive eating without compensatory behaviors.
Example: A middle-aged man consumes an entire pizza, three burgers, and a gallon of ice cream in one sitting, feeling guilt afterward but not purging.
What are the effects of Binge Eating Disorder?
Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases.
Diagnosis Criteria (DSM-5): Binge episodes at least once a week for three months with distress about binge eating.
What is the prevalence of Anorexia Nervosa?
Around 1-2% of the population.
More common in females, particularly in adolescents and young adults.
What are the biological factors contributing to eating disorders?
Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances.
Example: Low serotonin levels are linked to increased impulsivity and binge-eating behaviors.
What psychological factors are associated with eating disorders?
Low self-esteem, perfectionism, anxiety disorders.
Example: Many individuals with AN exhibit high levels of perfectionism, striving for extreme thinness.
What sociocultural factors influence eating disorders?
Media influence, societal pressure to be thin, diet culture.
Example: Studies show that social media exposure to edited images increases body dissatisfaction in teenagers.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Helps individuals change unhealthy thought patterns.
Used in the treatment of eating disorders.
What role do support groups play in eating disorder treatment?
Peer support aids recovery.
Example: A study found that 60% of patients with Bulimia who underwent CBT showed significant improvement in eating behaviors.
What are the effects of hormonal imbalances in eating disorders?
Chronic stress can increase cortisol levels, leading to abnormal appetite regulation and body weight changes.
Example: Patients with AN often have high cortisol levels, which may contribute to increased stress responses.
What is the genetic influence on eating disorders?
Genetic predisposition is a significant risk factor.
Family studies indicate higher heritability rates, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 50-80% of the variance in ED risk.
True or False: Eating disorders can manifest differently in various cultures.
True.
Cultural differences affect the presentation and understanding of eating disorders.
What is the significance of media portrayal in relation to eating disorders?
Contributes to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors.
Example: Adolescent girls comparing their bodies to influencers on social media are at higher risk of developing ED symptoms.
Fill in the blank: Individuals with a first-degree relative with an eating disorder are at a higher risk of developing the condition due to _______.
[genetic predisposition].
What are the health risks associated with Anorexia Nervosa?
Malnutrition, osteoporosis, heart complications, and in severe cases, death.
Affected individuals may avoid social events involving food.
What is the definition of Anorexia Nervosa (AN)?
Anorexia nervosa involves restricting food intake, leading to significantly low body weight.
It often includes excessive exercise and avoidance of social events involving food.
What are the health risks associated with Anorexia Nervosa?
Health risks include:
* Malnutrition
* Osteoporosis
* Heart complications
* Severe cases may lead to death
Source: National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), 2021.
What characterizes Bulimia Nervosa (BN)?
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors.
This may include behaviors like vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative abuse.
What are the health risks linked to Bulimia Nervosa?
Health risks include:
* Electrolyte imbalance
* Gastrointestinal problems
* Dental erosion due to frequent vomiting
Source: Fairburn, 2019.
What is Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)?
Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge-eating episodes without compensatory behaviors.
Individuals with BED do not engage in purging or excessive exercise.
