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Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders are complex, affecting a person's emotional, psychological and physical well-being.
The prevalence of eating disorders is increasing in all major socio-economic and ethnic groups, including children and younger adults between 25 and 44.
Assessment is carried out by a psychiatrist and involves a range of medical and psychological factors (outlined in DSMIV).
The most common types of eating disorders are:
Anorexia
Core symptoms can include: Denial of disorder, Excessive dieting, food control or fasting, Depressive symptoms, Preoccupations with food and weight, Obsessive-Compulsive features, both related and unrelated to food, Food rituals, Excessive exercise, Fear of fatness, Sleep disruptions, Excessive loss of weight, Feelings of ineffectiveness, worthlessness and low self-esteem, Inflexible thinking, Monthly periods stop (females)
Bulimia
The core symptoms of bulimia are recurrent binge eating, a phobia of becoming fat, vomiting or laxative abuse, a grossly disordered relationship with food.
Obesity
Obesity is a condition in which there is excess body fat. Obesity is usually defined by body mass index (BMI), also known as Quetelet's Index.
This is calculated as follows:
BMI = Weight (Kg) / Height x Height (m)
In order to make BMI measurements more easily understood, a grading system has been developed. This system links increases in BMI to health risks.
| < 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 - 24.9 | Healthy weight |
| 25.0 - 29.9 | Grade 1 obesity (Overweight) |
| 30.0 - 39.9 | Grade 2 obesity (Obesity) |
| > 40.0 | Grade 3 obesity (Morbid obesity) |
Eating disorders are treatable, and people do recover from them. Recovery can be a difficult process that can take several months or even years.
Treatment involves:
- Correction of medical problems associated with obesity
- Resolution of the underlying psychological and social dynamics that contribute to the development of the problem
- Establishment of normal weight and healthy eating behaviours