Mental Health Nursing I
NURS 1300
Unit VII
Eating Disorders
Objective 1
Define anorexia, bulimia, and morbid
obesity
Anorexia = self-starvation with a disruption
in metabolism due to inadequate calorie
intake
Bulimia = food-gorging binges followed by
the purging of food, usually through selfinduced vomiting or laxative abuse
Morbid obesity = chronic disease defined by
having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more
than 40
Objective 2
Identify populations at risk for eating
disorders
Anorexia –
 individuals experiencing major life
changes
 adolescent girls and young adult
women
 athletes, actors, dancers, models, or
anyone whose thinness is a professional
requirement
Objective 2 (cont’d)
Bulimia –
 90% of people suffering from bulimia are
women
 other risk factors include exposure to
American ideals of beauty
Morbid obesity –
 all populations at risk
 61% of adults in the U.S. are overweight
 more and more children are falling victim
to obesity
Objective 3
Identify possible causes of eating
disorders
Anorexia
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Low self-esteem
Social isolation
Perfectionism
Tends to run in families
Stressful events
Uncomfortable emotions
control is achieved over weight and food
 satisfaction in this area becomes
important if the rest of one’s life is
chaotic and emotionally painful

Bulimia
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Dieting
Stress
Uncomfortable emotions
purging and other actions to prevent
weight gain allows one to feel more in
control of his or her life
 control over weight eases stress and
anxiety

Morbid obesity
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Strong genetic component
Excessive calorie intake
Thyroid disorders
Lack of physical activity
Current trends and attitudes in the
U.S.
food as social outlet
 high-fat/high-calorie “comfort” foods
 “clean-your-plate” mentality
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Objective 4
Identify symptoms of three eating
disorders
Anorexia
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Thinking one looks fat even if bonethin
Brittle hair and nails
Skin dry and yellow
Depression
Hypothermia
Lanugo
Strange eating habits
cutting food into tiny pieces
 preparing elaborate meals one doesn’t eat
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Bulimia
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Individual may be thin, overweight, or
average
Use of diet pills
Going to the bathroom shortly after
eating
Exercising even when hurt, sick, or
tired
Signs of vomiting
Distorted body image
Moody or sad
Morbid obesity
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Type II diabetes
Hypertension
Heart disease
Gall bladder disease
Stroke
Depression
Low self-esteem
Objective 5
List nursing care and medical
treatments for clients with eating
disorders
Anorexia
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Interventions aimed at restoring weight
to reverse medical complications
Hospitalization to stabilize dangerously
low weight
Individual, family, and group therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Psychotherapy to deal with underlying
emotional issues
Bulimia
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Learning healthy eating patterns
Coping with thoughts and feelings
Individual, group, and family therapy
Medications
antidepressants
 anxiolytics
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Morbid obesity
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Sensitivity training due to
discrimination by health care workers
Weight management
Nutrition education
Exercise program
Bariatric surgery
gastric bypass
 gastric banding
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