Kimberly Nixon
Kean University
PSY 3540
Professor Charles Borgen
October 16, 2023
Eating Disorders
1
Eating disorders often occur during the adolescent years but can develop at any point in
someone's life regardless of age, race, gender, or body weight. Eating disorders are complex and
are a combination of biological, psychological, genetic, behavioral, and social factors.
The study of genetics is one approach to evaluating eating disorders. “Using
endophenotypes to identify genes implicated in the etiology of eating disorders could open up
new areas of exploration of biological pathways that lead to dysregulated eating, appetite, and
weight regulation, as well as anxiety, obsessionally, and core eating disorder syndromes, such as
drive for thinness” (Thorton et al., 2010).
There are several types of brain scans that can be used to study eating disorders
including structural MRIs, white matter tract diffusion imaging, brain connectivity studies, and
task-based functional brain imaging. King and Nickel’s study using the structured MRI study
showed that acute food restrictions are associated with lower brain volume (Frank, 2019).
White matter studies need to be developed further however they have shown altered axon
integrity. Brain scans have indicated the dopamine system and the association between the
amygdala and frontal cortex can cause poor emotional regulation.
Anorexia nervosa is a mental health condition that causes people to consume very little
amounts of food or only certain foods. People will typically become obsessed with weighing
themselves. Individuals with anorexia nervosa regardless of what they weigh will always see
themselves as overweight.
Eating Disorders
2
There are two specific types of anorexia. The first is a restrictive type where individuals
restrict the quantities of food they are consuming (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023).
The second one is a binge-purge type. This second type individual will still restrict the amount of
food they consume and at times eat large amounts of food, or foods they consider off limits and
then force themselves to vomit or take laxatives to get rid of what they ate.
Anorexia can be a fatal disease, with the lack of nutrition individuals can die from
medical complications associated with starvation. Symptoms to look for include extreme
restricted eating, emaciation, obsession with being thin, fear of gaining weight, distorted body
image, and denial of low body weight. Problems that may develop over time include brittle
bones, nails, and hair, dry and yellowish skin, mild anemia and muscle weakness, severe
constipation, low blood pressure, slowed pulse and breath, brain and heart damage, lethargic,
feeling of cold all the time, and infertility (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023).
Bulimia nervosa is a mental illness where individuals feel out of control and will
frequently eat large quantities of food. After these individuals consume large amounts of food,
they feel the need to purge (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). Not only will these
individuals force themselves to vomit, or take laxatives or diuretics, but they will also exercise
excessively. Individuals with bulimia nervosa can be slightly overweight, normal weight, or
slightly underweight.
Symptoms of bulimia include a chronic sore throat, swollen glands in the neck or jaw,
dental problems, gastrointestinal problems, irritation in the intestines, severe dehydration, and
Eating Disorders
3
electrolyte imbalance. Some of these symptoms may lead to serious health concerns such as a
heart attack or a stroke (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023).
Treatments and therapies for eating disorders a different based on the type of eating
disorder. Most often a combination of psychological therapy and nutrition education is used.
With eating disorders, other health conditions arise and must be treated. Individuals who
cannot get their eating disorders under control with therapy and nutrition education often will
require treatment in an in-patient program.
Therapy will help individuals achieve a healthy weight by normalizing their eating habits,
learning how to monitor moods along with eating healthy, developing healthy coping
mechanisms, and improving moods and relationships with self and others (Mayo Clinic, 2017).
Dietitians can help individuals understand how nutrition affects their bodies and establish
regular eating patterns and meal prepping (Mayo Clinic, 2017).
Antidepressants are sometimes used in treating individuals with eating disorders.
Medications will not cure the disorder, but they can help with why people have developed it.
NationalEatingDisorder.org has a variety of options for people who are looking for help.
On their website, they provide links to free and low-cost support, a screening tool, and
treatment options. Kean University has a counseling center with free immediate access
provided by a telehealth provider.
Eating Disorders
4
References:
Frank, G. K. W. (2019). Neuroimaging and eating disorders. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 32(6),
478–483. https://doi.org/10.1097/yco.0000000000000544
Mayo Clinic. (2017, July 14). Eating disorder treatment: Know your options. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/in-depth/eatingdisorder-treatment/art-20046234
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023, February). Eating Disorders. Www.nimh.nih.gov;
National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eatingdisorders
Thornton, L. M., Mazzeo, S. E., & Bulik, C. M. (2010). The Heritability of Eating Disorders:
Methods and Current Findings. Behavioral Neurobiology of Eating Disorders, 6, 141–156.
https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2010_91
Whitbourne, S.K. (2017). Abnormal psychology: Clinical Perspectives on Psychological Disorders
(8th ed.). Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-786198-8