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Eating Disorders

• Survey Results

What is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is an emotional and physical problem that is associated with an obsession of food and of physical appearances including the weight and shape of an individual.

The most common eating disorders include:

• Anorexia http://www.indiana.edu/~health/eatdis.html
• Bulimia http://www.indiana.edu/~health/eatdis.html

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

Many individuals do not meet all the criteria for anorexia or bulimia, but are still in need of treatment. These traits could include addictions to exercising or binging without purging.

Eating Disorders: A Reality Check

Eating disorders occur too frequently in all segments of our society, not just among affluent families, which was previously thought. According to statistics from the National Eating Disorder Association, 10 million girls and women and 1 million boys and men in the United States struggle with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Eating disorders are like most problems in that they are much more amenable to treatment if detected early in the developmental process. If the disorder is left untreated, it gains control over the individual. Over time, the affected individual can become entrenched in his or her disorder, making recovery much more difficult. In some cases of anorexia, the disorder can become intractable. Some patients die. The mortality rate for anorexia nervosa may be as high as 18%. More individuals die from anorexia nervosa than any other physical disorder.

Unfortunately, most individuals with eating disorders are not likely to present themselves for treatment. The anorexic individual usually does not believe she or he has a problem. The bulimic person is generally too embarrassed by the problem to let others know about the suffering. Most bulimic individuals do not present for treatment until they have had the problem for three to four years. Early means of identification and management are greatly needed.

Prevention of Eating Disorders

Primary prevention of eating disorders involves addressing the real causes. Young people need more than knowledge of healthy nutrition principles. They need overall healthy eating, physical activity, and healthy life style promotion. They need help with realistic body ideals, self-esteem, self-efficacy, interpersonal relations and coping skills. They are faced with societal pressure to conform to unrealistic body ideals and to achieve unrealistic goals and must have support to deal with those pressures.

Secondary prevention involves early identification of warning signs and referral to appropriate treatment. Everyone who’s in contact with young people share this responsibility. Tertiary prevention involves providing a supportive environment to prevent relapse in a person who has been successfully treated for an eating disorder. Obviously, primary prevention is the best choice for all involved.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Someone Has an Eating Disorder?

• Do not confront the person harshly, but show your care and concern.
• Tell them that there is treatment available and encourage him or her to seek professional assistance.
• Do not watch what the person is eating or demand that the person eat or not eat. Instead, seek professional assistance and let a therapist help them focus on food.

Eating Disorder Conference

The program has been working closely with the American Academy of Eating Disorders to cosponsor an annual conference at the Indiana State Government Center located at 402 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 7, 2005. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Roberta Sherman. For more information, click here.

Indiana Eating Disorder Treatment Provider List

This list is created based on the information available at the time. This is not an exhaustive list of service providers in Indiana nor is it intended to endorse or recommend any listed provider. If you are a provider and you wish to be added to the list. Please contact us.

Eating Disorder Resources

Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders
http://www.anred.com/

Education Information for School Coaches (Zip file)

International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals
http://www.iaedp.com/

Gurze Books – Eating Disorder Resources
http://www.bulimia.com/site12_5_00/affiliates2.htm

Eating Disorder Resource on the Internet
http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/WomensStudies/fc/fceatdisord2web.htm

Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center
http://www.edreferral.com/

Indiana State Department of Health
2 N Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Email: Public Affairs

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