anorexia nervousa
Food Nutrition and Health
10^F
Mrs. Robinson
Introduction to anorexia nervosa
Definition: Anorexia Nervosa also known as
only Anorexia is a eating disorder where
people are afraid of gaining weight and they
themselves have low body weight as a
result.
Why It’s Important: Understanding Anorexia
Nervosa is a way of spreading recognition of
the disorder and it helps you to identify if
any one around you may be suffering from
it.
History of Anorexia Recordings
British physician Richard Morton is credited with the first Englishlanguage description of anorexia nervosa in 1689. He reported two
adolescent cases, one female and one male, which he described as
occurrences of “nervous consumption,” a wasting away due to
emotional turmoil. In 1874 anorexia nervosa was introduced as a
clinical diagnosis by two different physicians, William Withey Gull of
Britain and Charles Lasègue of France. They were the first to recognize
the illness as a distinct clinical diagnosis. When Gull reported about his
work to the Clinical Society of London, he used the term anorexia
nervosa, which literally means “nervous loss of appetite,” to describe
the condition. Cases of what is today recognized as anorexia nervosa
have been documented throughout history, but it was not officially
recognized as a psychiatric disorder until 1980, when its incidence
increased greatly.
Description of Anorexia Nervosa
People who have anorexia often have a strong fear of
gaining weight and may think they're overweight, even
when they're thin. To prevent weight gain or continue to
lose weight, people with anorexia often limit the
amount or type of food they eat. They place a high
value on controlling their weight and shape and use
extreme efforts that can greatly harm their lives.
The two types of Anorexia Nervosa
There are two types of Anorexia
Binge eating/purging: The binge-eating/purging
type is characterized by regular engagement in
binge eating (eating of a significantly large amount
of food during a given period of time) or purging
(self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives,
diuretics, or enemas) during the current episode of
anorexia nervosa.
The restricting type is characterized as unhealthy
weight loss due to food restriction.
physical Symptoms
The physical and behavioral symptoms of anorexia nervosa relate
to how starvation affects the brain. It may be hard to notice
symptoms because what is seen as a low body weight differs for
each person. Some people with anorexia may not look very thin.
Also, people often hide their thinness, eating habits or physical
problems.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of anorexia nervosa may include irregular
heart rhythms, low blood pressure and dehydration. Dehydration
happens when your body doesn't have enough water and other
fluids to carry out normal functions. Your fingers may look blue and
you may have dry skin. You may notice a change in your skin color,
such as yellowing of the skin. You may have hair that thins, breaks
or falls out. You also may have soft, downy hair covering your body.
You also have low energy, dizziness, stomach aches, increased
anxiety and stress fractures or reduced bone mass.
Emotional and Behavorial Symptoms
You may have an extreme focus on food. You may skip meals or
refuse to eat. You also may severely limit the amount of food you
eat. When you eat you may eat only “safe” foods. These may be
low in calories or foods that are recommended by a doctor. You
may have a type of anorexia where you binge, and purge like
with bulimia. If you have the binge-purge type of anorexia, you
eat much less than you need. Purges are when you make
yourself vomit, or you misuse enemas, laxatives, diuretics, diet
aids or herbal products to get rid of food that you ate. You may
also have trouble sleeping, focus too much on your weight, fucus
too much on your own appearances and if you are a female, you
could not get your menstruation, or it could mess up your cycle
causes you to miss a few periods. You may also be suicidal or
depressed.
Causes of Anorexia
Psychological factors
Perfectionism: People with anorexia often have an intense need for control and strive
for perfection in all areas of life, including body image.
Low Self-Esteem: A negative self-image or feelings of inadequacy can lead
individuals to control their eating as a way to cope.
Fear of Gaining Weight: An irrational and overwhelming fear of becoming overweight
drives restrictive eating behaviors.
Biological factors
Genetics: A family history of eating disorders, depression, or anxiety increases the
likelihood of developing anorexia.
Hormonal Changes: Puberty or other hormonal shifts may trigger disordered eating
behaviors in vulnerable individuals.
Personality Traits: Traits like high anxiety, obsessive-compulsiveness, and sensitivity to
reward and punishment are often associated with anorexia.
Preventing Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is a complex disorder, and while it may not always be entirely preventable, certain steps can reduce the risk or
address early warning signs. Prevention efforts focus on fostering healthy habits, promoting positive self-esteem, and creating a
supportive environment.
While anorexia nervosa is primarily a psychological disorder, fostering a healthy relationship with food is an essential part of
prevention. Here are food-related strategies to help prevent anorexia and promote balanced eating habits:
Encourage a Balanced and Enjoyable Approach to Food
Emphasize Variety: Encourage eating from all food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and healthy fats) to ensure a wellrounded diet.
Avoid Food Labeling: Refrain from labeling foods as "good" or "bad," which can lead to restrictive or unhealthy eating behaviors.
Focus on Enjoyment: Teach that food is not just for nourishment but also for pleasure and cultural connection.
Promote Regular Meal Patterns
Eat Consistent Meals: Encourage eating three balanced meals a day with snacks as needed to maintain stable energy levels and
prevent binge-eating tendencies.
Avoid Skipping Meals: Skipping meals can normalize restrictive behaviors and lead to a harmful relationship with food.
Teach Nutrition Education
Teach the Importance of Nourishment: Explain how food fuels the body and supports physical and mental well-being.
Debunk Diet Myths: Provide accurate information about healthy eating and dispel common diet fads or misinformation.
Foods an Anorexic person can start to
eat to get a healthy food relationship
Getting back to regular eating patterns and gaining a healthy weight after being anorexic for long is likely
to take some time. And, there is nothing to worry about. Here some food items that you should include in
your diet for getting the right nutrition:
Avocado – Known for its high nutrient value, avocado is one of the healthiest fruits that you should
include in your diet. It is rich in Vitamin C, B-6, E and K, and folate, niacin, potassium, beta-carotene,
lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids, among others. This fruit plays a crucial role in allowing your body to
derive energy from the food you eat.
Baked beans – Baked beans are a great source of fibre, protein, healthy plant compounds, and other
nutrients. These are beneficial for your gut health and help in improving weight. Apart from being
healthy, baked beans also make great storage ingredients. Have some tins handy so that you have
something to eat when you are in a hurry, hungry, or do not want to go out to fetch groceries.
Oily fish – If you have anorexia, having oily fish will bring incredible health benefits to you. The omega-3
fatty acids content is high in oily fish, which is good for your brain, heart, skin, and overall health.
Eggs – Eggs contain all the essential amino acids that your body does not produce. Therefore, eggs
make a complete source of protein, the building blocks of your body. Plus, these are tasty, easy to
prepare, and help you recover in a better way.
Seeds and nuts – These make great snack options to munch and offer a lot of health benefits. These
are rich in Vitamin E and improve damaged nails and hair. Moreover, they come with a long shelf life.
So, you can also store them and have them when hungry.
Recovering from anorexia might take some time. However, you should make sure to get started on the
road to recovery by taking small steps. Feel free to talk to your doctor about how you feel, and you will
definitely get back to a normal life.
foods to avoid as an anorexic person
While protein is important for the repair and growth of muscle
tissue, try to avoid unhealthy sources of protein. Anorexia nervosa,
when prolonged, may even affect the muscles of the heart and it is
best not to put additional strain on these muscles by eating
unhealthy red meat.
Avoid consuming processed foods which may provide an initial
spike of energy but are also accompanied by a subsequent fall in
blood sugar levels.
Example of a meal chart for an Anorexic person
Here’s a sample anorexia diet chart. Keep in mind that this list is only
indicative and you should follow the recommendations of your doctor,
dietician, or nutritionist.
Breakfast: One serving of egg and whole wheat bread. This may be
washed down with a glass of fresh fruit juice or skimmed milk.
Mid-morning snack: A bowl of fresh fruit.
Lunch: White meat such as chicken, turkey, or fish grilled and
served with steamed vegetables and brown rice. You can also
consume these in the form of a sandwich in whole wheat bread.
Early evening: Fresh fruit, a handful of almonds or a slice of whole
wheat bread.
Dinner: Pick from a healthy source of meat such as chicken, turkey,
or tuna, whether boiled or grilled or sautéed in olive oil.
Before bed: A cold glass of skimmed milk.
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A FILM
DIRECTED BY
LARS PEETERS