Eating Disorders

Question 1

What is anorexia nervosa?

Answer 1

Weight loss leading to body weight of at least 15% below normal expected weight for age and height
Weight loss self induced by avoidance of foods

Question 2

Common age onset for anorexia?

Answer 2

18

Question 3

Affect of anorexia on puberty?

Answer 3

Pubertal events can be delays or arrested
Girls- breasts don’t develop, primary amenorrhea
Boys- genitals remain juvenile
Puberty normally completed with recovery

Question 4

What is bulimia nervosa?

Answer 4

Recurrent episodes of over eating where large amounts of food consumed in short periods of time
Attempts to counteract fattening affects of food by vomiting, purging or starvation

Question 5

Common age of onset for bulimia?

Answer 5

20

Question 6

What is an episode of binge eating characterised by?

Answer 6

Eating an amount of food larger than normal in a short period of time
Lack of control over eating

Question 7

What is a binge eating disorder?

Answer 7

Recurrent episodes of binge eating associated with:
Eating much more rapidly than normal
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
Eating alone because embarrassed by how much eating
Feeling disgusted, depressed or guilty after

Question 8

How often does binge eating occur?

Answer 8

Once a week for 3 months

Question 9

What is the snow ball effect?

Answer 9

Brain shrinkage 
Disadvantageous reward related to decision making in adults 
Increased activation to salient cues 
Decreased activation to social cues 
No joy 
Starvation related changes to microbiome
Starvation changes to neurotransmission 
Chronic stress relating to decreased neurogenesis

Question 10

Medical complications of eating disorders?

Answer 10

Skin and hair
Dental
MSK
Endocrine
Renal
GI
CVS
Metabolic - hypothermia, dehydration, electrolyte disturbance, hypoglycaemia, increased LFTs

Question 11

Starvation effects on grey and white brain matter?

Answer 11

Loss of grey and white matter

Question 12

What is refeeding syndrome?

Answer 12

Depletion of already inadequate stores of nutrients (Mg2+, K+, phosphate) which are quickly used up as the body starts to repair itself

Question 13

What is a very high risk BMI?

Answer 13

<13

Question 14

What is a high risk BMI?

Answer 14

14.9-13

Question 15

What is a moderate risk BMI?

Answer 15

16-15

Question 16

What is a low to moderate risk BMI?

Answer 16

17.5-16

Question 17

Risk assessment in eating disorders?

Answer 17

Rate of weight loss
Blood results 
Circulation 
Muscle strength 
Temperature 
ECG abnormalities