Obesity and Eating Disorders - Eating Disorders Flashcards
Q: What are eating disorders, and why are they significant health concerns?
A: Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by disordered eating behaviors. They can quickly progress to severe physical health issues and have both short-term and long-term impacts on health and wellbeing.
Q: At what age are eating disorders most common?
A: Eating disorders are most common between the ages of 16 and 40.
Q: What are the three main types of clinical eating disorders?
A:
Anorexia nervosa: Characterized by extreme food restriction and a mortality rate of ~10%.
Bulimia nervosa: Characterized by cycles of binge eating and purging.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED): Includes orthorexia, compulsive eating, binge eating, and night eating syndrome.
Q: What is orthorexia, and how does it differ from other eating disorders?
A: Orthorexia is an obsession with eating foods deemed “correct” or “healthy,” leading to restrictive and disordered eating patterns.
Q: What are some environmental risk factors for developing eating disorders?
A:
Media focus on body image.
Academic pressure, bullying, or abuse.
Criticism of body shape or eating habits.
Difficult family relationships.
Sports requiring a light body, such as gymnastics or ballet.
Q: How can genetic factors contribute to eating disorders?
A:
Specific SNPs, such as rs929626 of the EBF1 gene, may dysregulate leptin signaling and are linked to anorexia nervosa.
Family history of eating disorders increases risk.
Twins and triplets are 33% more likely to develop anorexia than single-born children.
Q: How do nutritional deficiencies play a role in eating disorders?
A: Zinc deficiency, often seen during childhood or puberty, can impair appetite regulation and is linked to anorexia nervosa. Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiencies also play a role.
Q: What mental health conditions are commonly associated with eating disorders?
A:
Depression and anxiety.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Poor stress resilience and excessive worry.
Perfectionism and a need for control are common themes.
Q: How can dysfunctional nurturing relationships contribute to eating disorders?
A: Dysfunctional maternal or family relationships can lead to the development of perfectionist tendencies. Symptoms often begin with a desire to achieve a “perfect diet” and escalate into attempts to control and maintain that standard.
