Blog: Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors.  While eating disorders may begin with preoccupations with food and weight, they are most often about much more than food.  People with eating disorders often use food and the control of food in an attempt to compensate for feelings and emotions that may otherwise seem over-whelming.  For some, dieting, bingeing, and purging may begin as a way to cope with painful emotions and to feel in control of one's life, but ultimately, these behaviors will damage a person's physical and emotional health, self-esteem, and sense of competence and control.  

Eating disorder recovery requires a strong support team, with an experienced dietitian at the core of the team.  

By working with a dietitian, you can: 

• Learn the important role that diet and nutrition play in your recovery process. 
• Create a personalized nutrition plan to support the unique needs of your body and to assist in normalizing your eating patterns, portions, and behaviors. 
• Learn the truth of nutrition and break through the fad diets and food rules that are currently controlling your intake.   

Establishing a Healthy Body Weight 

It is important to remember that every body is different.  We all have different genetics.  Even if everyone started eating the same things and did the same amount of exercise for a whole year, we would not all look the same at the end of the year.  This is because each person's genetics influence their bone structure, body size, shape, and weight differently.  

You "ideal" weight is the weight that allows you to feel strong and energetic and ltes you lead a healthy, normal life.  When searching for your ideal weight, don't rely on charts, formulas, and tables to dictate what's right for you.  Instead, eat balanced meals full of nutritious foods and enjoy regular, moderate exercise.  

Remember these keys to an ideal body:

• Treat your body with respect
• Fuel it with a variety of foods
• Give it enough rest
• Exercise moderately

Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa

In anorexia's cycle of self-starvation, the body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally.  Thus the body is forced to slow down all of it's processes to conserve energy, resulting in serious medical consequences:

• Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which means that the heart muscle is changing.  The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower
• Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones. 
• Muscle loss and weakness
• Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure
• Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness
• Dry hair and skin; hair loss is common
• Growth of a downy layer of hair called lanugo all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm 

 Health Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa

The recurrent binge-and-purge cycle of bulimia can affect the entire digestive system and can lead to electrolyte and chemical imbalances in the body that affect the heart and other major organ functions.  Some of the health consequences of bulimia nervosa include:

• Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.  Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration and loss of potassium, sodium, and chloride from the body as a result of purging behaviors
• Potential for gastric rupture during periods of binging
• Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting 
• Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting
• Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse
• Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis

 Health Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder often results in many of the same health risks associated wiht clinical obesity.  Some of the potential health consequences of binge eating disorder include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Heart disease as a result of elevated triglyceride levels
• Type II diabetes
• Gallbladder disease