Learn More About Eating Disorders

This advertisement serves to alert people of the two commonly diagnosed eating disorders: Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Following the image, it touches upon the symptoms of both BN and AN, focusing on the aspects of binge eating in BN and starving in AN. Although these are correct images of these two eating disorders, I want to inform you that BN and AN are NOT solely confined to these specific symptom. 

Now look at this advertisement above. This is an image that accurately depicts a common misunderstanding in our culture.  Who do you think has an eating disorder? Can you tell? Many people commonly associate the image of an abnormally thin, bony, and scrawny female with eating disorders. However, anyone in any figure and gender are susceptible to acquiring eating disorders. There are many other factors in eating and living patterns that are not as flagrant, yet prominent in determining whether people do or do not have eating disorders. For example, someone diagnosed with BN might restrict just as much as someone diagnosed with AN in a public setting. As such, restriction and binge eating may occur in both AN and BN. If so, what are determining factors of the eating disorders?

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

: restriction of energy intake relative to requirements leading to a marked low body weight, intensified fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, and a state of disturbance in which one's body weight or shape is experienced

Subtypes:

1. Restricting
2. Binge Eating / Purging

Symptoms

• Significantly reduced variation in types of foods eating
• Avoid "bad foods" -> similar food choices every day
• Ritualistic, obsessive qualities, often odd food combinations
• Slow eating, cutting food into small pieces
• Obsessive interest in food

BULIMIA NERVOSA

: recurrent episodes of binge eating or recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior

Subtypes:

1. Binging
• Lack of self control -> over eating
2. Purging
• Self-induced vomitting
• Excessive exercise
• Misuse of laxatives
• Fasting

Symptoms

• Eating rapidly
• Secret eating behaviors (hiding food, eating alone, eating fast)
• Excessive or secretive exercise routine
• Prioritizing compensatory behaviors over other activities
• Emotional irregulation

* highlighted are some of the major differences between AN and BN

Culture and Eating Disorders

Historical Facts of Eating Disorders

• In 1873, Sir William Gull first formally characterized using this name, "Anorexia Nervosa"
• People did not recognize the seriousness of the disorder and considered it as having "hysteria"
• In 1979, Gerald Russell first formally characterized "Bulimia Nervosa"
• Ancient Romans would overeat and vomit to eat in excess and to lose weight
• Women with AN ingested vinegar for laxative effects
• Majority of women with AN eventually develop bulimic behaviors, and ultimately, BN
• The Minnesota Semi-Starvation Study showed that subjects in the semi-starve stage had reduced sexual drive and body temperature, social withdrawals, depression, hysteria, etc.
• Binge Eating Disorder was officially added to the DSM-5 as an eating disorder in 2013

Eating Disorder: Influence of Culture

LINK to survey ↓:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCGH6SX

This is an anonymous survey asking people personal questions about their views on body image of themselves and how culture (social media, peers, family) may affect their views. It asks for the individual's demographics in order to show if the data is skewed to any one demographic. Ideally it is preferred to have an even distribution for any demographic; however, our data was limited to our network of peers which included mostly people in college and Asians.

The purpose of our survey was to see how people viewed themselves in regards to their body figure and how they might be affected by social media and the individual's microsystem. Although many people felt somewhat confident about their body figure and categorized themselves as "normal" in body weight, there were still a good amount of people who were not confident and believed they were either "skinny" or "thick/fat." Some even believed they had an eating disorder... BUT do they actually know what it means to have an eating disorder? What socialization agents influence an individual's views on the ideal body figure?

Sociocultural Theory

"There are specific messages that reflect a culture's ideology and are conveyed by socialization agents that influence an individual's behavior."

From an early age, girls are exposed to society's views on the ideal body type and learn that their appearance matters. Magazines, advertisements, commercials, music videos, and many other media outlets portray a specific message to their audience of a sexualized image that objectifies the bodies of women. Mass media is greatly responsible for the spreading message of "coke bottle, barbie body shape is in" to women. These messages reinforce the idea of weight control and can lead to the risk of developing an eating disorder. Cross cultural differences studies showed that eating disorders were less common in countries that have a "non-thin ideal" body type than in countries with a "thin-ideal" body type.

Parents and peers are a main source of information for weight control (dieting) and body image. Many people are affected by social acceptance and peer evaluations. They adjust and conform to the norm of their peers in order to fit in and avoid being ostracized. Studies showed that majority of girls and women engaged in "Fat Talk," in which they would be dissatisfied and criticize their own body. Parents also encourage their children to lose weight, but this may lead to body dissatisfaction and self-shaming.

Women (and men) often fall victim to eating disorders due to cultural norms of an ideal body figure!!

Systems Affected by Eating Disorders

Systems Affected by Eating Disorders

The image summarizes the systems that eating disorders can affect and what these changes entail for the body.

Additional Information

1. In eating disorders, a patient can be restored back to health with weight restoration. However, there is something called a “critical window” for a human’s development. If a patient’s health is damaged during this window, there may be permanent affects to the body.

2. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate compared to other psychiatric illnesses.

3. Hospitalization is required when the eating disorder becomes a life threatening situation.

Jeopardy

LINK to Jeopardy Game ↓:
https://jeopardylabs.com/play/neurobiology-of-eating-disorders

This jeopardy games covers various topics regarding the neurobiology of eating disorders. From the biology of the brain to specific temperament problems in the reward and anxiety system, there are a lot of topics covered in this game regarding our brains and eating disorder. Play this game to learn more about how the intricate systems of your brain are affected by eating disorders! 

APA Reference

Berner, L. (2016). History of Eating Disorders [PDF document]. Retrieved from http://ted.ucsd.edu/

Cusack, A., & McGlone, K. (2016). Eating Disorders 101: Assessment and Diagnosis [PDF 

document]. Retrieved from http://ted.ucsd.edu/

Geniza, Christine. (2016). Medical Complications of Eating Disorders [PDF document]. Retrieved

from http://ted.ucsd.edu/

Menzel, Jessie. (2016). Culture and Eating Disorders: It’s in the Jeans [PDF document]. Retrieved

from http://ted.ucsd.edu/

Wierenga, C., & Kaye, W. (2016). Neurobiology of Eating Disorders [PDF document]. Retrieved

from http://ted.ucsd.edu/

Project by: Ah Hyun Kim, Ashley Cho, Susanna Jun