Eating Disorders

Key Terms- Anorexia- Bulimia- Anorexia Athletica

*Note: A person can have symptoms from all three types (or two of three) and can switch during the disorder’s early stages, but most people settle into one type.

characterized by starving oneself eating below a person’s required caloric intake on a daily basis

define: Anorexia

characterized by starving oneself eating below a person’s required caloric intake on a daily basis

define: Anorexia

Characterized by episodes of bingeing followed by purging food on a frequent (usually daily) basis.

define: Bulimia

Characterized by episodes of bingeing followed by purging food on a frequent (usually daily) basis.

define: Bulimia

Characterized by over-exercising or using exercise as a compensatory behaviour.

define: Anorexia Athletica

Characterized by over-exercising or using exercise as a compensatory behaviour.

define: Anorexia Athletica

Females face increased pressure that experience to look a certain way.

2% 98%

14starts at

years old

*Sometimes as early as Grade 2

Eating Disorders are psychological diseases and are classified as “Addictive Behaviours” in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

They are cyclical usually lasting throughout adolescence AND adulthood,

They are extremely difficult to treat / cure even with heavy medication and psycho-therapy.

Many cases result in death.

Addictive Behaviour

Eating food is a basic human need that affects everything people do (including work, mood, sleep, etc)

When this basic human need is in disorder, a person cannot sustain a normal, healthy life.

“Disorder”

There is no valid method to “measure” the weights of children to determine whether they are healthy.

All children and adolescents grow at different rates until the end of puberty.

Changes that occur in body shape and size during puberty are influenced by other factors such as family genetics.

Measure

The BMI (Body Mass Index) test is used for people ages 20-65 because they have completed their linear growth.

The BMI is not suitable for growing children and adolescents.

Measure : BMI

Key Terms- Self Esteem- Body Image- Ideal Body Image- Body Image Dissatisfaction (BID)

- Culture of Toxicity- Objectification of Female Body

Significant weight loss and loss of muscle tissue and body fat

Dull hair or loss of hair / growth of fine, fuzzy body / facial hair

Absence of menstrual periods Dry, scaly, yellowish skin tone Sensitivity to cold temperature; brittle bones and failure to

heal Kidney and liver damage (lack of nutrients); weakened

heart Susceptibility to common illnesses (lack of nutrients) Slow metabolism; difficulty sleeping (fatigue); cramps Death

symptoms: Anorexia

Weight fluctuations; significant weight loss Puffy face due to swollen salivary glands Bulging eyes; sunken face; bruising under eyes and

on cheeks Blurred vision; vomiting blood; severe tooth / gum

decay Irregularity or absence of menstrual periods Internal bleeding; stomach, kidney and liver damage Distinct odour coming from body Electrolyte imbalance Death

symptoms: Bulimia

Males influence how girls feel (and vice-versa) in classrooms, hallways, social events; not unlike the

effect of the media Dangerously dehumanizes / objectifies females Unrealistically redefines what females should look

like . . . perception of “beauty” / “attractive” is completely distorted

Preach acceptance; females in those images do not exist; it’s what’s inside that counts!

Dove Commercial - MALES

Shouldn’t ever compare with females presented in the media (they don’t exist)!

Self-worth (esteem) is so much more than how a person looks; females do not need to look like a certain way to be

accepted / liked Higher pressure to look a certain way for females? Concept of “setting up for failure”

Females will end up being disappointed always if they are trying to achieve an ideal body image! More importantly, in attempt to achieve it – they will end-up hurting themselves

Concept of “if people don’t look like themselves”– how can we expect others to look like them?!

Dove Commercial - FEMALES

The following diagram illustrates how difficult it

is to break the cycle once it has started!

Eating Disorder Cycle

Body Image

BID

CompensatoryBehaviour

ResultsBased

Connection

Addiction &Acceptance Eating

Disorder Cycle

Body Image

BIS

CompensatoryBehaviour

ResultsBased

Connection

Addiction &Acceptance Eating

Disorder Cycle

• How you think others see you is how you think you look

• SELF-ESTEEM

Body Image

BID

CompensatoryBehaviour

ResultsBased

Connection

Addiction &Acceptance Eating

Disorder Cycle

- Comments peers- Media- Rewards- I don’t look like that!- Acceptance in social circles- Fear of being fat

Body Image

BID

ResultsBased

Connection

Addiction &Acceptance Eating

Disorder Cycle

- Starving- Binge/purge- Exercise (Calories!)- Dopamine/serotonin and eating- Starts with dieting Compensatory

Behaviour

Body Image

BID

ResultsBased

Connection

Addiction &Acceptance Eating

Disorder Cycle Compensatory

Behaviour- Actually see results BUT UNHEALTHY- Food is important (especially when growing in teens)- We will see some of the EFFECTS

Body Image

BID

ResultsBased

Connection

Addiction &Acceptance Eating

Disorder Cycle Compensatory

Behaviour

- Back to Classical Conditioning- Strong connection forms- Behaviour is now conditioned- Can’t stop because they see results- Praise from friends/boys

Body Image

BID

ResultsBased

Connection

Addiction &Acceptance Eating

Disorder Cycle Compensatory

Behaviour

- Start to feel better about body image- BUT AT WHAT COST?!- Become addicted to outcomes

Eating Disorders