Eating Conditions
Eating conditions are behavioural conditions associated with the severe disturbance in an individuals eating behaviours and related thoughts and emotions. Individuals often become preoccupied with what food they consume, their body weight and shape. These conditions can very seriously impact an individuals physical, psychological and social functioning within their day-to-day life.
Types of Eating Conditions
1. Anorexia nervosa (Anorexia)
Anorexia is a condition where individuals avoid, severely restrict or eat very small quantities of certain foods.
Sub-type of anorexia:
Restrictive anorexia is the severe limitation on amount and type of food consumed
Binge-purge anorexia is the severe restriction of amount and type of food in conjunction withe binge-purge episodes where individuals eat large amounts of food in a short time followed by actions such as vomiting to get rid of food.
Symptoms:
- extreme restriction of eating
- extreme thinness
- intense fear of gaining weight
- distorted body image
2. Bulimia nervosa (Bulimia)
Bulimia is when individuals have reoccurring episodes of eating large amounts of food while feeling as though they have a lack of control of their eating. Compensatory behaviours often precedes this binge-eating such as the forcing of vomiting, use of laxatives, fasting or excess exercise.
Symptoms:
- chronic sore and inflamed throat
- worn tooth enamel
- acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal problems
- severe dehydration
3. Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge eating is a condition where an individual loses control over their eating habits and experience reoccurring episodes of eating large amounts of food.
Symptoms:
- eating large amounts of food in a specific amount of time
- eating when not hungry
- eating alone or in secret
- frequently dieting
4. Avoidant Food Intake Disorder
Avoidant food intake is the condition where people limit the amount or type of food eaten. Due to not eating enough calories, in children this condition causes a child to not grow and develop properly while adults are unable to maintain basic body function.
Symptoms:
- lack of appetite or interest in food
- dramatic weight loss
- dramatic restriction of types or amount of food eaten
5. PICA
PICA is the condition where individuals engage in the compulsive eating, often in large quantities, of material that may or may not be foodstuff
Symptoms:
- persistent eating of substances that are not food or do not provide nutritional value
- eating of substances that are developmentally inappropriate
6. Rumination Syndrome
Rumination syndrome is a condition where an individual regurgitates their undigested food from the stomach back into the mouth as a reflex response.
Symptoms:
- effortless regurgitation
- stomach pain or pressure relieved by regurgitation
- losing weight without trying
Factors that Influence the Development of Eating Conditions
It should be noted that eating conditions can affect individuals of all ages, racial/ethnic backgrounds, body weights and genders.
Treatment
Resources
Eating conditions are behavioural conditions associated with the severe disturbance in an individuals eating behaviours and related thoughts and emotions. Individuals often become preoccupied with what food they consume, their body weight and shape. These conditions can very seriously impact an individuals physical, psychological and social functioning within their day-to-day life.
Types of Eating Conditions
1. Anorexia nervosa (Anorexia)
Anorexia is a condition where individuals avoid, severely restrict or eat very small quantities of certain foods.
Sub-type of anorexia:
Restrictive anorexia is the severe limitation on amount and type of food consumed
Binge-purge anorexia is the severe restriction of amount and type of food in conjunction withe binge-purge episodes where individuals eat large amounts of food in a short time followed by actions such as vomiting to get rid of food.
Symptoms:
- extreme restriction of eating
- extreme thinness
- intense fear of gaining weight
- distorted body image
2. Bulimia nervosa (Bulimia)
Bulimia is when individuals have reoccurring episodes of eating large amounts of food while feeling as though they have a lack of control of their eating. Compensatory behaviours often precedes this binge-eating such as the forcing of vomiting, use of laxatives, fasting or excess exercise.
Symptoms:
- chronic sore and inflamed throat
- worn tooth enamel
- acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal problems
- severe dehydration
3. Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge eating is a condition where an individual loses control over their eating habits and experience reoccurring episodes of eating large amounts of food.
Symptoms:
- eating large amounts of food in a specific amount of time
- eating when not hungry
- eating alone or in secret
- frequently dieting
4. Avoidant Food Intake Disorder
Avoidant food intake is the condition where people limit the amount or type of food eaten. Due to not eating enough calories, in children this condition causes a child to not grow and develop properly while adults are unable to maintain basic body function.
Symptoms:
- lack of appetite or interest in food
- dramatic weight loss
- dramatic restriction of types or amount of food eaten
5. PICA
PICA is the condition where individuals engage in the compulsive eating, often in large quantities, of material that may or may not be foodstuff
Symptoms:
- persistent eating of substances that are not food or do not provide nutritional value
- eating of substances that are developmentally inappropriate
6. Rumination Syndrome
Rumination syndrome is a condition where an individual regurgitates their undigested food from the stomach back into the mouth as a reflex response.
Symptoms:
- effortless regurgitation
- stomach pain or pressure relieved by regurgitation
- losing weight without trying
Factors that Influence the Development of Eating Conditions
It should be noted that eating conditions can affect individuals of all ages, racial/ethnic backgrounds, body weights and genders.
- Genetics - DNA variations common within families
- Personality traits - neuroticism, perfectionism, impulsivity
- Societal / cultural expectations - e.g. image of appearing thin
Treatment
- Psychological therapy / intervention
- In-patient programs
- Dietary education
- Nutritionist consultation
- Medication - anti-depressants, anti-anxiety
- Physical health management - GP
Resources
- (sydney)
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