Eating Disorder Awareness and Resources
This information is for families of students in grades 6-12 but can be pertinent to all individuals. This page provides information from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration and PA Department of Health.
Eating Disorder Awareness
According to PA Department of Health: Eating disorders are increasingly prevalent and now are the third most common illness among America's adolescents. Disordered eating behaviors are closely associated with poor school achievement, lack of communication and caring within families, and “health-compromising behaviors” like drug abuse.
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) : Eating disorders are mental disorders that involve extreme mental preoccupation, disturbing emotions, attitudes, and behaviors involving weight and food. Some common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, bulimia, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Eating disorders can affect anyone regardless of body size, race/ethnicity, gender, age, or socioeconomic status. Many factors contribute to the development of an eating disorder, such as genes, hormones, comorbid mental disorders (such as depression or anxiety disorders), social attitudes that promote very thin body types, and diet culture.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which people avoid or severely restrict food. People with this disorder have an intense fear of weight gain. They may diet, exercise excessively, or compulsively use other methods (e.g., laxatives or diuretics) to lose weight.
People with anorexia may severely limit the amount of food they eat, or they may eat and then make themselves throw up. Other behaviors include:
Cutting food into small pieces or moving them around the plate instead of eating
Exercising all the time, even if they are hurt
Going to the bathroom right after meals
Refusing to eat around other people
Using diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics
Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is when a person eats a much larger amount of food in a shorter period of time than they normally would. During binge eating, the person may feel a loss of control.
A person who binge eats often:
Eats large quantities of food in one sitting, often secretly
Feels unable to control their eating behaviors
Uses food as a coping mechanism in response to traumatic or stressful life events
Feels shame, embarrassment, or guilt about their eating behaviors
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person binges on food and feels a loss of control over their eating. The person then uses methods to prevent weight gain, such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or using laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills. People with bulimia often have a distorted view of their body.
Symptoms include:
Chronically inflamed and sore throat
Increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth (due to stomach acid when vomiting)
Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can lead to serious health complications such as heart attack or stroke
Suddenly eating large amounts of food or buying large amounts of food that disappear right away
Regularly going to the bathroom right after meals
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder in which a person will limit the volume, type, and/or variety of foods they consume. This disorder most commonly develops during infancy and early childhood; however, it can develop at any age. Unlike the other eating disorders, there is no distress about body image or weight. Instead, there is a particular negative sensitivity or fear about food (e.g., taste, physical texture or color of the food, sensation while eating the food,) that drives a person to avoid or restrict eating. There may also be a fear of bad consequences to eating certain foods (such as choking, vomiting, and/or suffering a severe allergic reaction).
A person with ARFID may:
Present as extremely picky eating
Avoid: meals; eating with others; certain foods
Pretend to eat, but not consume the food served
Distress around meal time, and/or refuse to eat
Symptoms of ARFID include:
Weight loss
Delayed growth (in children) or puberty
Nutritional deficiencies
Social impairment due to difficulties eating
Get Help for Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can be serious due to various medical complications and the high risk of associated suicide. Treatment plans can include psychotherapy, medical care, nutrition counseling, or medications. Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible.
Follow up with your medical provider or local hospital system to support a loved one who you think may be experiencing an eating disorder or mental health concern. Parents or guardians can reach out to the School Counselor, School Nurse, or School Psychologist at one of the schools within Southern Lehigh School District to help connect to the appropriate support.
Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/what-is-mental-health/conditions/eating-disorders