Eating Disorders Also Affect Adults

Back

By Diana Rodriguez

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

An eating disorder isn't really about food. The factors that lead to an eating disorder are complex. "There might be physiological genetic predispositions for anorexia and bulimia, and personality patterns associated with them," says Martin Binks, PhD, director of behavioral health research at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center and assistant professor at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Eating disorders may also be caused by the environment surrounding food that a person experiences growing up and by their early relationship with it.

"One of the common myths is that weight-loss dieting leads to eating disorders," adds Binks, noting that there is no scientific date backing this theory. "Except the very unhealthy restrictive type of dieting can lead to disordered behavior."

Learn about the different types of eating disorders and their warning signs.

 

Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa

Commonly called anorexia, the most noticeable sign of this eating disorder is extreme weight loss. As many as 1 percent of women in the United States are thought to have anorexia; it is far less common in men. Binks notes that our society's unrealistic concept that thin equals beautiful can certainly contribute to anorexia, as can a family history of the eating disorder.

People with anorexia:

  • Have body image misperceptions — many think they are overweight even when they are grossly underweight and have an overwhelming fear of weight gain or being fat
  • May stop menstruating
  • Severely restrict calories and/or exercise obsessively
  • Are obsessed with food, weight, and calories

 

 

Eating Disorders: Bulimia Nervosa

Commonly called bulimia, this eating disorder involves a pattern of binging and purging — eating a lot of food and then purposely vomiting. Between 1 and 2 percent of young women have bulimia, and 80 percent of all bulimics are women.

People with bulimia:

  • Eat very large amounts of food, often very quickly
  • Vomit or take laxatives to avoid gaining weight
  • Exercise obsessively
  • Eat very little or not at all between binges
  • May look like they're at a normal body weight
  • Suffer from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), sore throat, and damaged teeth from the vomitin


Eating Disorders: Binge Eating Disorder

Also called binge eating or compulsive eating, this eating disorder is characterized by eating large amount of foods, without the purging. Up to 5 percent of people in the United States have binge eating disorder; more than half of those are women.

"We don't know a lot about binge eating — there might be physiological predispositions. Overly restrictive dieting might enhance binge eating, and make people more likely to binge," says Binks. "The biggest trigger for a binge is hunger. Eating filling foods and getting enough calories throughout the day will take a big chunk out of binge eating. People binge in response to emotions, and managing emotions helps, too."

People with binge-eating disorder:

  • Feel guilty or ashamed about the amount of food they eat
  • Eat as a response to emotions
  • Eat extremely quickly
  • Eat when they are alone, and well beyond the point of fullness
  • May be obese or overweight because they don't follow a binge with vomiting, laxatives, excessive dieting, or exercise like bulimics do

 

Eating Disorders: Disordered Eating

Far more common and widespread than eating disorders, disordered eating involves an unusual or troubled relationship with food and can include any of the behaviors of an eating disorder, like severe dieting, binging, or vomiting. And while it's not as severe as an eating disorder, it could set the stage for one.

Not much research has been done on disordered eating, but it may be traced back to family circumstances and a person's childhood environment. "If a child struggles with weight and you [the parent] become very controlling and very restrictive in the way you handle their weight issue, you put them at risk for disordered eating later on," says Binks.

People with disordered eating:

  • Obsess about food, like counting every calorie or weighing every bite
  • Go to extremes, from restrictive dieting to binging
  • Spend too much time thinking about food
  • Often eat in secret and feel ashamed or disgusted afterward
  • Worry about weight and body image

 

Eating Disorders: Multi-Faceted Treatment

While Binks says that it is important to get people with eating disorders back to a healthy body weight and a healthy way of eating, the psychological aspect of the condition is what needs to be addressed. "It's about self-perception," Binks explains. "The thinking that got the patient there needs to be the focus of the treatment."

Self-esteem issues, depression, and cultural ideals about beauty, perfection, and being thin can all contribute to an eating disorder or unhealthy obsession with weight and food, and all need to be addressed. Once the underlying cause of the eating disorder is understood, the proper treatment plan can begin.

Treating an eating disorder is a process. It requires a knowledgeable health care team and a comprehensive strategy with therapy, counseling, and possibly medications like antidepressants. It's important to remember that an eating disorder is not just about weight, but a much bigger health issue. If you suspect you have an eating disorder, speak to your doctor about the right treatment program for you.


View as PDF


Back


The Have I Got A Problem website is a free online resource to help people better understand any issues or concerns they may have about mental health or addiction. The website includes resources specifically focused to; general Mental Health, Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Insecurities, Self-harm Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anger Management, Eating Disorders, Coping, general Addiction, Alcohol, Smoking, Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana (Cannabis) Ecstasy, PCP, Mephedrone, Ketamine & Crystal Meth.

The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.

www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)

Quotes

"The days when every waking moment was consumed by mental arithmetic to work out how many calories are in different foods and what I would allow myself to eat are gone"

Jeni

MoreSend us your Quotes

Tips & Hints

  • Eat Meals with Family or Friends

    A person who is anxious about eating will feel more comfortable doing so among other people they trust, such as family or friends. This...
    More
  • Keep a Food Diary

    Keep a food diary of what you eat and when you eat it to help you focus on eating regularly. Also record any episodes of going without ...
    More
  • Take Regular Exercise

    Studies have shown exercise to have a positive effect on low self-esteem and poor body image, which are widely cited as being contribut...
    More
  • Be Patient

    Unhealthy relationships with food do not develop overnight, and it can take many months and even years to regain full control over your...
    More
  • Eat Healthy Foods

    The types of foods we eat are important. We all like to indulge in our favourite foods every once in a while, but we should also eat as...
    More
  • More Tips & Hints