Nutrition and Eating Disorders Flashcards
What percentage of Canadian children and adolescents report dieting to lose weight?
12-30% of girls and 9-25% of boys aged 10-14 report dieting.
How does the incidence of eating disorders in Canadian children compare to type 2 diabetes?
The incidence of eating disorders is estimated to be 2 to 4 times greater than type 2 diabetes.
How many Canadians were diagnosed with an eating disorder in 2020, and why might this be an underestimate?
Approximately 1 million Canadians were diagnosed, but this is likely underreported due to limited access to services, misinformation about eating disorder symptoms, weight-based diagnostic criteria, and anti-fat bias in healthcare.
Why do many Canadian healthcare professionals feel unprepared to treat eating disorders?
Lack of education and training on eating disorders in healthcare programs.
What is the significance of early detection and intervention in eating disorders?
Early detection and intervention can result in full recovery.
What are the 3 diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa?
Restricting intake leading to significantly low body weight (BMI < 17.5).
Fear of weight gain.
Disturbance in body perception.
How is bulimia nervosa diagnosed?
ecurrent binge eating episodes (large amounts of food in a short time, loss of control).
Recurrent compensatory behaviors (vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, fasting, excessive exercise).
Occurs at least once a week for 3 months.
What are the two subtypes of anorexia nervosa?
Restricting type: severe food restriction without bingeing or purging.
Binge/purge type: periods of excessive eating followed by purging through vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise
How does binge eating disorder differ from bulimia?
Binge eating disorder does not include compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise.
What is avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and in which population is it commonly seen?
A disorder typically seen in children, characterized by extreme avoidance or restriction of food that is not related to body image concerns.
What are 3 examples of other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)?
Atypical anorexia (not meeting weight criteria for anorexia).
Purging disorder (purging without bingeing).
Night eating syndrome (waking up to eat).
How do disordered eating behaviors compare to full eating disorders?
Disordered eating includes restrictive eating, compulsive eating, and irregular eating patterns but at a lower frequency or severity than eating disorders.
What are the 3 key predisposing factors for developing an eating disorder?
Sociocultural factors: Media, thin ideals, anti-fat bias.
Family factors: Conflict, divorce, dieting modeling, genetics.
Individual factors: Perfectionism, trauma, poor emotional regulation.
What societal issue contributes to eating disorders and mental health risks like depression and anxiety
Weight stigma (anti-fat bias).
What are the 8 health risks associated with weight stigma?
Increased risk of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, stress hormones, oxidative stress, increased blood pressure, and higher mortality risk.
What are the four primary goals of nutrition therapy for eating disorders?
Correct nutrient deficiencies and re-nourish.
Weight restoration and stabilization.
Nutrition education.
Normalize eating behaviors.
What 4 interventions are used to correct nutrient deficiencies in individuals with eating disorders?
Intravenous fluids, electrolyte supplementation, enteral (tube) feeding, structured meal plans.
Why is eating every 2-3 hours important in eating disorder recovery?
Helps with blood sugar regulation and re-establishing hunger cues.
Why is a BMI of 20 used for weight restoration rather than the WHO standard of 18.5?
BMI 18.5 is still associated with morbidity risks, while BMI 20 allows for better medical and cognitive function.
How is a person’s “natural weight” determined in eating disorder recovery?
It is genetically determined, stable, resistant to drastic changes, and accompanied by normal bloodwork, flexible eating, and absence of disordered behaviors.
What 5 key topics are covered in nutrition education for eating disorder treatment?
Science of nutrients and metabolism.
Understanding weight, hydration, and metabolism.
Hunger and fullness cues.
Meal balance, portion sizes, and meal planning.
Debunking diet culture.
What is the difference between mechanical eating and intuitive eating?
Mechanical eating: Eating regularly to meet nutrition needs, re-establish hunger cues, and reduce disordered behaviors.
Intuitive eating: Rejecting diet culture, honoring hunger, making peace with food, eating based on satisfaction and fullness.
What are the 6 core principles of intuitive eating?
Reject diet culture.
Honor hunger and fullness.
Make peace with food.
Challenge the “food police” (rigid food rules).
Respect your body.
Move for enjoyment rather than weight loss.
What are 3 “DOs” when creating a body-positive environment?
Emphasize that all foods fit.
Avoid labeling foods as “good” or “bad.”
Promote food flexibility.
What are 3 “DON’Ts” when discussing food and weight with others?
Do not link exercise to “burning off” food.
Do not make negative comments about body size (including your own).
Do not celebrate weight loss, as it may reinforce harmful behaviors.
Why should weight loss not be encouraged in individuals recovering from eating disorders?
It reinforces disordered eating behaviors and does not prioritize overall health and stability.
Why are eating disorders considered serious medical conditions rather than choices?
They have biological, psychological, and environmental causes and require professional treatment for recovery.
How does dieting contribute to the development of eating disorders?
Dieting slows metabolism, increases food preoccupation, and can lead to cycles of restriction and bingeing.
Why is early intervention crucial in eating disorder treatment?
Early intervention increases the likelihood of full recovery and prevents long-term health consequences.
What societal shifts are necessary to reduce eating disorder prevalence?
Reducing weight stigma, challenging diet culture, promoting body acceptance, and improving healthcare training on eating disorders.
