eating disorders

Question 1

general signs and symptoms of an eating disorder (list not exhaustive)

Answer 1

• worrying and obsessing about weight and image
• eating significantly less
• unable to control or reduce weight loss, especially when already underweight
• smoking and chewing gum to suppress appetite
• binge appetite
• vomiting or the use of laxatives or diuretics to control weight
• constantly feeling cold
• setting unrealistically high goals
• irritable
• greater awareness of foods and their energy value
• stomach pains and constipation
• frequent dizzy spells

Question 2

anorexia nervosa

Answer 2

an eating disorder than involves an inability to remain at the minimum body weight that is considered healthy for the person’s age and height.
primarily affects females, most typically between 15 and 25. they usually possess a comprehensive knowledge of nutrition.

Question 3

physical signs of anorexia

Answer 3

severe weightloss
significantly below average weight
emaciated appearance
feeling cold, bluish extremities
restless, sleeping little
dry/yellow skin

Question 4

psychological signs of anorexia

Answer 4

obsessive about food
claiming to be fat when thin
obsessive fear of weight gain
low self-esteem
depression and anxiety
perfectionism
social withdrawal

Question 5

behavioural signs of anorexia

Answer 5

eating very little 
relentless exercise
anxiety and arguments about food
lying about eating meals
false perception about weight
rituals around eating

Question 6

diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa

Answer 6

1. bodyweight is consistently less than 15% to that expected for height and age, or BMI is 17.5 or less.
2. weight loss is caused by the avoidance of foods perceived to be fattening, along with one or more of the following behaviours:
   A self-induced vomiting
   B Purging
   C Excessive exercise
   D Use of appetite suppressants and/or diuretics.
3. distorted body image perception driven by an intense irrational fear of becoming fat, leading to a desire to remain at a low body weight
4. amenorrhea (absence of minimum of 3 successive menstrual cycles) in women and loss of libido in men
5. Puberty in boys and girls may be delayed if the onset of anorexia nervosa is prepubertal, but once recovery from illness is made, it will often progress normally.

Question 7

bulimia nervosa

Answer 7

psychological illness that is characterised by frequent periods of binge eating followed by frequent periods of self-induced vomiting.
many also exercise vigorously
in extreme cases laxatives are also taken to increase purging.
bulimia sufferers are often of a normal weight so the condition can go undetected for years.

Question 8

two types of bulimia nervosa

Answer 8

purging and non purging

Question 9

purging type

Answer 9

sufferer is engaged with regular periods of self-induced vomiting, with the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas

Question 10

non purging type

Answer 10

engaged in other compensatory behaviours like excessive exercising or self induced starvation
- there are efforts made to reduce the effect of eating foods perceived as fattening in the form of:
A self-induced vomiting and other purging techniques
B alternating episodes of calorie restriction
C using appetite suppressants
D using thyroid preparations or diuretics
E people with diabetes may refrain from using their insulin treatment.
3. there is an intense fear of becoming fat, which leads to the desire to reach a specific body weight much lower than is considered normal or healthy for height and age. in many cases, the bulimia follows an episode of anorexia nervosa.

Question 11

atypical bulimia nervosa

Answer 11

refers to some individuals who show some, but not all, of the characteristics of bulimia nervosa.

Question 12

atypical anorexia

Answer 12

individuals who display some, but not all of the characteristics of anorexia nervosa.

Question 13

health risks of anorexia nervosa

Answer 13

• reduced bone mineral density leading to increased risk of osteoporosis
• hypothermia
• hypotension
• cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal electrical activity)
• electrolyte imbalances
• swelling of hands, feet and face due to fluid imbalances
• menstrual disturbances (amenorrhea)
• gastrointestinal problems
• poor recovery from injury
• tooth decay
• anaemia
• depression
• hair loss and skin problems
• greater risk of infertility

Question 14

health risks of bulimia nervosa

Answer 14

• amenorrhea
• tooth decay and gum disease
• bowel problems
• constipation
• dehydration
• electrolyte imbalance
• hypotension
• lung aspiration from repeated vomiting, increasing the risk of reduced breathing rate and sleep apnea (cessation of breathing whilst sleeping)
• metabolic alkalosis (imbalance in the body’s acid/base regulation)

Question 15

managing clients with eating disorders

Answer 15

• establish trust with the client before asking any personal questions
• questions should be presented with sensitivity, tact and diplomacy, and advice from a fellow colleague, supervisor or manager should be sought beforehand.
• Institute of Sport and Recreation Management ~ provide guidance on how centre staff and management should approach this matter
• fitness professionals are not trained to those who have been diagnosed with, or are suspected of having am eating disorder. these clients should be referred to an appropriate medical professional