Feeding in risk situations

Eating disorders (EDs) encompass a variety of complex psychiatric illnesses that manifest themselves through an inordinate preoccupation with food and the adoption of unhealthy methods to control or reduce body weight. These behaviors are driven by misperceptions about diet, weight, and self-image.

EDs are serious conditions that, if not detected in time and specialized multidisciplinary psychotherapeutic treatment is not implemented, can compromise the biological, psychological and social development of the person, generating multiple health problems, such as gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiovascular, renal, anemia, growth retardation and bone tissue disorders, among others.

These disorders rank third on the list of the most common chronic diseases among adolescents, generally beginning between the ages of 12 and 20, with about 90% of cases occurring in females. The most well-known EDs include:

• Anorexia nervosa.

• Bulimia nervosa.

• Binge eating disorders.

• Unspecified eating disorders.

Causes of EDs

The factors contributing to eating disorders are varied, including individual, familial and social aspects. This encompasses genetic, psychological, sociocultural, occupational, and extraordinary events that mark people's lives.

Genetic factors: Studies on family vulnerability have shown a higher frequency of EDs in people with a family history of these disorders.

Psychological factors: These disorders are more common in individuals with personality traits such as insecurity, low self-esteem and anxiety, who face difficulties in handling stress and setbacks.

Sociocultural factors: There is a relationship between ED and overprotective, rigid and demanding families. Likewise, the influence of fashions and the media, such as social networks, has a significant impact.

Professional factors: These are frequent in people who must follow strict diets to maintain a specific weight, such as models, dancers, gymnasts and athletes in weight category competitions.

Extraordinary events: People who have suffered abuse, loss of loved ones or discrimination are more likely to develop ED.

Characteristics and Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

People with anorexia nervosa have an extreme desire to be thin and distort their body image, seeing themselves as fat despite being thin, leading to an intense fear of obesity. This disorder can lead to severe malnutrition and, in extreme cases, death; however, they usually do not recognize the danger of their behavior or that they are suffering from a serious illness.

To achieve their goals, they often follow extremely restrictive diets, engage in intense physical exercise, induce vomiting, and use medications to reduce appetite, as well as laxatives and diuretics.

Behaviors related to anorexia nervosa

• Obsession with weight, following restrictive diets despite being thin, and constant fear of weight gain.
• Reducing food portions, cutting food into small pieces, and chewing slowly.
• Eating alone, skipping meals, lying about what you have eaten, and throwing food away. Disappearing after meals or locking yourself in the bathroom.
• Performing intense physical exercise immediately after eating.
• Show symptoms of depression, irritability, and anxiety.

Symptoms of anorexia nervosa

• Pallor, brittle nails, dry and cold skin, thin and sparse hair, and a yellowish tint to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
• Calluses on the back of the fingers due to self-induced vomiting.
• Frequent gastrointestinal problems.
• Interruption of the menstrual cycle.
• Alterations in the gums and teeth due to repeated vomiting.
• Hemorrhages around the eyes, caused by the effort to vomit.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating and psychological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food intake in a short period (binge eating), usually in secret, followed by compensatory behaviors such as provoking vomiting, extreme fasting, excessive physical exercise and use of laxatives or diuretics. They also experience a great fear of gaining weight.

Bulimia is difficult to detect, as sufferers, unlike those with anorexia, may have a normal, healthy appearance; moreover, in many cases they are aware of their risky eating behavior, leading to feelings of guilt, shame and depression.

Bulimia nervosa-related behaviors and symptoms

• The associated behaviors are similar to those of anorexia nervosa, but bulimia nervosa differs in the excessive food intake, which anorexia sufferers control.
• The symptoms are similar to those of anorexia, although they are usually less intense and, in some cases, almost imperceptible.

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge eating disorders are characterized by repeated episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, but unlike bulimia, compensatory behaviors such as vomiting do not occur. Sufferers feel intense discomfort for not being able to control this behavior.

They can be identified by the fact that the person eats