Understanding Eating Disorders

“My 16-year-old daughter has always been a picky eater, but recently, we've noticed a troubling change. She appears to be pushing herself to lose weight by exercising three to four times a day and watching videos and reels about weight loss. We suspect she might be forcing herself to vomit after meals. Additionally, she has become withdrawn, touchy, and moody, making it challenging to get her to talk about what she's going through. Sometimes, she even seems angry.”

                                                                       Parents who visited Dr Verma for consultation

Eating disorders are serious health issues marked by persistent and severe disruptions in eating behavior that impact both physical and mental health. These conditions involve distorted thoughts about food, weight, and body shape, along with problematic eating habits. Such behaviors can hinder the body's ability to obtain essential nutrients. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, teeth, and mouth, and may lead to further health issues. They are also associated with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts and actions.

Screening of Eating Disorder

Early detection

The developmental stages of puberty and the transition from adolescence to young adulthood are discussed as crucial periods for the identification and prevention of eating disorders. Early detection of eating disorders (EDs) could improve their prognosis and prevent the risk of evolution towards a chronic form and somatic, psychiatric and psychosocial complications. Confidently, with proper treatment, one can return to healthier eating habits and learn healthier ways to think about food and your body. You also may be able to reverse or reduce serious problems caused by the eating disorder.

Understanding eating disorders

Types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, other specified feeding and eating disorder, pica, and rumination disorder. Among these, anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder are the most common eating disorders. 

Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia nervosa involves self-starvation and weight loss, leading to low weight for height and age. It is driven by an intense fear of gaining weight. Although some claim they want to gain weight, their actions—such as eating minimal low-calorie foods, exercising excessively, or bingeing and purging—are inconsistent with this goal.

Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia nervosa involves alternate dieting on 'safe foods” with bingeing on “forbidden” high-calorie foods. Binge involves eating a large amount quickly, feeling a loss of control, often secretly, with feelings of shame. Binges occur weekly and often lead to "compensatory behaviors" like fasting, vomiting, or compulsive exercise to prevent weight gain. People with bulimia obsess over food, weight, or shape, harming their self-worth, similar to anorexia nervosa.

Binge eating behaviour- Binge eating involves consuming large food quantities quickly, with loss of control and distress. Unlike bulimia, no regular compensatory behaviors are used. It can cause obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart issues.

Eating disorder warning signs-

Behavioural:

Avoiding eating in public Fussy eater/banned foods Cooking for others yet not eating Frequent weighing Excessive exercise Stressed when unable to exercise Trains through injury Restricted/rigid diet Wears baggy clothing Avoiding meals Raiding the refrigerator Eating low-calorie foods

Excessive use of the toilet Body checking Constant focus on food, diet and exercise Has different meals to rest of family Social isolation Calorie counting Use of diet pills, laxatives, supplements Throws away food Denies problem Slow eating/picking at food Developing ‘allergies’ to food Eating in secret

Psychological:

Anxiety, especially in regard to food/eating Depression Social phobia/withdrawal Distorted body image Negative body image Feelings of lack of control Suicidality

Poor concentration Perfectionism Low self-esteem Guilt, especially around food Obsessiveness Subtle cognitive changes Hopelessness

Physical:

If you're concerned that you or your child might have an eating disorder, consult a GP to discuss your

worries. After a physical examination and laboratory tests, if necessary, the GP will recommend seeking additional help from a psychiatrist or mental health professional.