Males and Eating Disorders

The National Institute of Mental Health states that one in four of preteen cases of anorexia are male. NIMH states that these boys have a warped sense of body image. Preteen and teen boys fall into two categories: the boys that think they are too small and want to bulk up and those that think they are too big or too fat. The boys who think they are too small are at risk for using steroids and other muscle mass producing drugs. The boys that think they are too big or fat may be at risk for eating disorders.

Anorexia is not the only eating disorder affecting males. Bulimia and binging eating disorders are quickly becoming a problem for more and more boys and men. The symptoms for males with eating disorders are no different than the females. You need to be on the look out for these warning signs:

• Strange eating habits
• Sudden weight loss
• Obsession with diet or exercise (calorie intake, portion control, etc.)
• Distorted body image
• Low self esteem
• Spending more time in front of the mirror than usual
• Lack of concentration
• Eating alone
• Binging
• Purging
• Secretive

These are just a few of the warning signs. The important thing to remember is that these are not just disorders for girls. Males are having an increasingly hard time overcoming these issues as well.

Eating Disorder Facts

Eating disorders can be defined as a long term mental/physical illness that may or may not require long term treatment. They commonly coincide with disorders such as depression, drug abuse, and anxiety disorders. Any time there are extremes in eating habits such as massive intake or risks malnourishment by deprivation.

Typically eating disorders develop in the early adult stages and mainly in women. This is not to say that men do not suffer from these disorders because they definitely do. It is just that statistically the patients are between 18 and 25 and female.

People with anorexia nervosa typically present with strange eating habits. Often claiming that they have just eaten or that they are full. They are compulsive about dieting: reading nutrition labels, weighing food, calorie counting and possibly exercising to excess.

In bulimia nervosa people will binge on a any number of foods all at one time and immediately vomit. They often take diuretics and/or laxatives. Patients with bulimia will often excuse themselves from a meal very quickly and go to a bathroom or to some private place to vomit.

With binge eating disorder people have the tendency to binge just like bulimia patients. What is different is that they do not purge. The patient usually does not consume the large amounts of food with others but alone and they may take in excessive amounts of food in a very short time even if they are not physically hungry. This is the one eating disorder that may occur in men and women equally. The result of this behavior are feelings of guilt and shame. However, it does not keep the behavior from occurring time after time.

Long lasting health effects of these teen eating problems can include, reduced heart rate, low blood pressure, tooth decay, esophagus damage, dry skin, ulcers, high blood pressure and cholesterol (in binge eating), and more.

When a patient is diagnosed with these eating disorders the anorexic patient has to weight at least 15% below their normal weight, misses menstrual cycles and has a distinct fear of gaining weight. For bulimia patients they usually have at least two binges or purges per week for several months and have a lack of control over their eating habits. The patient with binge-eating disorder is harder to diagnose because the behavior may be more infrequent and not as noticeable because they binge in private.

First and foremost physicians and psychologists want to get the nutritional needs of these patients met. They can then deal with any substance abuse problems that may be going on. And then the treatment of depression and other behavior disorders comes into play.

Eating Disorder Support Groups

When combined with other forms of treatment and therapy, support groups can be a very big motivator and strength to the people fighting eating disorders.

Here are a few places you can turn to for support group information:

Healthyplace.com - Offers comprehensive information on most mental health issues, active online support, current mental health news, online documentaries, a mental health t.v. show and more. This is really a site with something for everyone.

Eatingdisordersanonymous.com - A great support network of people willing to share their issues with eating disorders within the framework of a 12 step program. They offer meetings, facts about eating disorders and encouragement.

Overeaters Anonymous (oa.org) - Another 12 step program for those that suffer from binging or overeating disorders. This company offers worldwide support to individuals as well as online tools and help.

Anyone who has been through or been close to someone with mental health issues knows the importance of support groups. Everyone needs to feel like they are not alone. Imagine a room full of teens that all have anorexia. As one teen shares their feelings of never looking in the mirror and accepting themselves they have a room full of peers that know exactly how they feel but can also tell them verbally that they really are beautiful and to help that teen overcome their self esteem issues. There is power in numbers and everyone needs to feel like they can reach out when needed. Disorders like anorexia, bulimia, pica, and binging are very real. Support groups are not a substitute for treatment and psychological care but they are a great help.

Pica

Pica is a child/teen eating disorder that is defined as an abnormal appetite or craving for substances that are not fit to eat, such as chalk or clay, common in malnutrition, pregnancy, etc. (definition from dictionary.com). This is not to say that Pica cannot affect adults. It can affect anyone at any time. It is unclear at this time whether this eating disorder can be prevented.

In order for these cravings to be considered Pica, the cravings must last for more than 30 days, the cravings must be inappropriate for the developmental age (little children often want to eat their play dough, a 14 year old does not).

Pica can be seen as harmless but it is anything but harmless. If you consider how many items have things that are toxic this can be a very serious problem. For example, if you have a child or teen who craves the taste of painted objects you may not know if the paint contains lead. This could result in lead poisoning and possible brain damage. Also, if a child craves dirt it may seem harmless. The problem is if the dirt is near or has ever been near a highway or where cars are driven it can contain some contaminates found in gasoline.

The cause of Pica has been blamed on many things. Most commonly it is thought to result from a mineral deficiency, low iron or a result of celiac disease. Recently Pica has been linked to OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). It is extremely important to have this diagnosed and to have the cause found out as soon as possible. Eating disorder treatment is then recommended. This is not a disorder to be ignored for any period of time.

One study found that among mentally retarded children living in facilities, around 20% suffered from Pica. It is unknown to scientists and psychologists why there is this link between development and Pica.

Treatment of Pica will differ greatly among patients and their psychological as well as physical needs. As with other eating disorders is is crucial to get nutritional therapy where the child or teen is taught about proper nutrition but then guided and watched as they learn to take on a nutritionally sound diet. Psychological help will depend on what is going on with the child, only a therapist that specializes in eating disorders should generally try to help these patients.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by an obsessive fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and failure to keep the body within a healthy weight range. Voluntary starvation occurs as a means to stay thin. In addition, an anorexic person may exercise obsessively or abuse diet pills or diuretic drugs.

There are psychological, social, and genetic components associated with the cause of Anorexia Nervosa, as well as environmental factors that contribute. Primarily, young woman and teenage girls are affected in cultures that focus on body image and thinness. However, both men and woman of all ages can be affected.

In addition to dramatic weight loss due to starvation, symptoms of Anorexia include low blood pressure and body temperature, a slow heart beat, brittle hair and finger nails, hair loss, slow or stunted growth, dry skin, dehydration, amenorrhea, and lanugo. Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period. Many anorexic teens and women stop having periods or don't get them on a regular schedule. Lanugo is the growth of soft, fine hairs all over the body, but particularly occurs in the face and on the back of the arms. This is seen more commonly in advanced stages of Anorexia Nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa is a very serious illness, and eating disorder, that poses long term health threats including blood problems due to anemia, gastrointestinal problems, multi-organ failure, neurological problems such as seizures and disorderly thinking, fertility problems, and bone problems. Teen anorexia statistics show, nearly 90% of woman with Anorexia suffer from the loss of bone material due to low estrogen levels that occur. In severe cases, death can be the final result. Various studies show the death rate of Anorexia Nervosa to range from 4%-25%.

Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa is still undergoing improvement. However, it generally involves a team of people including a medical doctor, a psychologist, and a nutritionist. Severe cases may require hospitalization at first to improve overall health. Recovery rates vary between 23%-50%. If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of anorexia, it is important to get help quickly. Fast intervention leads to a better chance of recovery.

Eating Disorder Clinics

Once you recognize that your teen or someone you love has an eating disorder it is crucial to get them the right help. There are many clinics that specialize in eating disorder treatment. It is important to do your homework on eating disorder clinics so that you can find the one best fitting for your teen.

Here are a few eating disorder clinics and their locations:

Avalon Hills - "Avalon Hills is an eating disorder treatment center located in Utah. We treat young women and adults who suffer from anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders." For more information please call 1-800-330-0490.

Casa Palmera - "Find treatment and healing in Del Mar, California." For more information call 1-866-410-8721. Casa Palmera uses psychotherapies as well as nutritional therapy. They offer a holistic approach to those that want it as well as therapies in body image and exercise, nature therapy, animal therapy, and fitness.

Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders - "Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders is dedicated to providing our clients with a rare mix of healing modalities in a nurturing environment which honors the dignity, spirituality, and wisdom of every individual on their journey to recovery from Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating or Compulsive Overeating and other related issues. " For more information please call 1-800-845-2211.

A list of things to look for in an eating disorder clinic:

• How nurturing is the approach?
• Which therapies will be used?
• Does this program heal the body as well as the mind and spirit?
• How qualified are the staff members?
• Is this a residential treatment (or individual)center, an outpatient therapy center?
• How do they work with the patient after discharge? Is the patient ready for everyday life outside of the center?

Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating disorders are complex in nature as are eating disorder treatments. They very often start in adolescence (when teen self image and teen self esteem are greatly influenced) and most often have an underlying mental health issue such as depression. Therefore, treating an eating disorder itself is more like treating a myriad of problems all at once in hopes to overcome the disorder. Treatment for anorexia as well as bulimia are very similar.

First and foremost you want to get a patient to a normal/healthy weight. Too often the person with an eating disorder suffers from malnutrition. This can take hospitalization to overcome. There are other reasons the person may be hospitalized but the NIMH says the #1 issue to take care of is malnutrition. Not much progress can be made in other areas if the individual is weak or rapidly declining. Malnutrition brings on so many other health problems that it has to be the first thing treated.

Second comes treating the psychological disorders that the patient has that are associated with the eating disorder. It can be very hard for the best professional to pick up on all the underlying issues so it is important for loved ones to be supportive and patient. Treating these psychological disorders can include drug therapy as well as intense counseling even on a long term basis.

Finally we want to prevent relapse. We need to identify and replace the thoughts and behaviors that lead to the eating disorder behaviors. This takes a lot of therapy to get to the bottom of and is key in full recovery. Patients need to learn coping skills and how to avoid the triggers that lead them to self destructing behaviors.

Nutritional counseling may be recommended for patients with eating disorders. It is important for patients to learn how to keep themselves from becoming malnourished and the importance of keeping a healthy weight as well as strong bones and other factors. An education in teen nutrition will greatly benefit most adolescents.

Eating Disorder Symptoms

Eating disorders symptoms can be very hard to pick up on. In this post we will discuss the symptoms and behaviors of someone who may have an eating disorder.

There are several types of eating disorders. Here we will discuss the warning signs of particular eating disorders.

Anorexia

• An abnormal amount of interest in body weight and appearance. This concern is usually unwarranted (the person is not really overweight or in need of weight loss).
• Overly interested in nutritional information such as fat grams, calories, etc.
• Use of any type of diet drug including laxatives, herbs that "cleanse", or diuretics.
• Claiming they have already eaten when in fact they haven't, skipping meals.
• Fainting
• Excessive exercise
• Lack of menstrual cycles in females.
• Loses weight but doesn't see it in when they look at themselves

Bulimia

• Callused or scarred knuckles.
• Fainting
• Excessive exercise
• Lack of menstrual cycles in females.
• Use of laxatives or other diet drugs.
• Increased stress about weight, obsession.
• Fluctuating weight on a regular basis (due to binging and purging).
• Loses weight but won't acknowledge it, always wants to be more thin.

Binge Eating

• Overeating with no weight gain.
• Sudden weight gain or loss.
• Wants to eat alone.
• Secrecy.
• Ignoring the feeling of being full or eating when full

If you or someone you love has these symptoms be sure to get them the proper help. Eating disorders are very serious and can be very scary. The sooner you get help the better off you will be. The best medicine is eating disorder prevention.

Teenage Eating Disorders

No matter what day you check the news you will find headlines that include some kind of eating disorder. There are many celebrities that teenagers look up to suffer from eating disorders such as Sharon Osbourne, who admits she will never be free from struggling with bulimia. And Misha Barton who was recently hospitalized in California for "health reason", many speculate it was due to self-esteem issues and an eating disorder. There is also speculation that Paula Abdul has an eating disorder. Mary Kate Olsen is constantly in the news about her fight with anorexia. And this list goes on and on...For this reason we have decided to do a series on eating disorders and weight issues that may be plaguing our teenagers in an effort to try to inform, educate, and help any teen or teens family that may be struggling with these issues.

Eating Disorder is a catch all phrase that describes any long term illness that is characterized by an unhealthy relationship with food. Millions of teens are affected with more than 90% of cases occurring in females between the ages of 12 and 25. However, eating disorders do not only affect females, but hundreds of thousands of males as well. Although each case is different, they all have several things in common. First, everyone with an eating disorder has a history of dieting. Also, they have a negative or distorted body image, or self image. Plus, they experience intense emotions and behaviors that surround food.

Eating disorders are likely caused by a combination of psychological, social, genetic, and environmental factors. They are highly associated with emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. Other things that can contribute to eating disorders include low self esteem and involvement with a sport or activity that emphasizes thinness such as dance, skating, running, or gymnastics. The three most common forms of eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and Binge Eating.
Anorexia Nervosa
Characterized by an extreme fear of being fat, Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder in which one severely restricts their calorie intake. An Anorexic person may eat a few hundred to less than 100 calories per day, refusing to keep their weight in a healthy range. They typically have a distorted body image and an obsession with being thin.
Bulimia
A vicious cycle of binge eating, purging and guilt, Bulimia is an eating disorder that revolves around a negative self image and a desire to be thin. Binge eating is consuming a excessively large amount of calories at a given time. Purging is trying to expel those calories by way of vomiting, abuse of laxatives or excessive exercise. People with Bulimia tend to keep their habit hidden as it can cause them a great amount of shame and guilt.
Binge Eating
Binge eating is compulsively overeating without purging. Associated with anxiety and depression, binge eating is equally popular among both woman and men. The binging is often done very quickly regardless of whether or not they are hungry. Binge eating also creates a great amount of guilt, so it is often done in private.
All teenage eating disorders should be taken seriously. The faster they are treated, the higher the chance of recovery.

Teen Obesity Statistics

Obesity is defined as excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body and this excess causes a person to be at least 20 percent heavier than a person's ideal body weight. Obesity is becoming an increasingly growing teen eating disorder.

According tot he American Obesity Association approximately 30.4% of teens are overweight and 15.5% of teens are considered obese. This means that about half of all teens are at risk of developing health problems that are weight related. Teen body image can be greatly affected by obesity.

Parents are more concerned than ever about their teens and their weight. According to the Association of Obesity 12 percent of parents feel that their child is overweight, 78 percent feel that Physical Education should be in the school schedule, 27 percent feel that kids eat less healthy than in years past, and 24 percent of parents feel that teens get less and less physical activity.

There are so many reasons for the increase in teen obesity. Kids have access to more "junk foods" and convenience foods than ever before. More towns have fast food restaurants and more families have two working parents where picking up dinner from a drive-thru is the norm in life. Soda and other sugar drinks (even energy drinks) are loaded in calories and often the first choice of drink for teens. Due to television and video games more children spend more time being sedentary than being physically active.

The health risks of obesity for teens are just as critical as those for adults. The number of children with Type 2 Diabetes is growing at an alarming rate. More children have asthma, joint problems, arthritis, sleep disorders, high blood pressure and heart disease. A teen's mental health can also be affected by their weight creating self esteem issues, and even depression.

One of the best ways for families of all teens and children of all ages to prevent obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle is to exercise together. Even a bike ride or walk around your neighborhood each night. Playing sports together on your front lawn and just being active in general can make all the difference. This combined with trying to promote healthier eating, and a nutritional diet at as early an age as possible will give a child the best odds of not having the challenge of obesity.

Signs of Self-Mutilation

Signs of self-mutilation or self-injury may be difficult to detect because teenagers tend to be ashamed of the behavior and often go to extreme lengths to prevent parents, family members, and even close friends from discovering their secret.
There are a few things you can look for that are common amongst teens who cause self-harm. If you observe any of the following items, you may want to do some further investigation.

• Family members telling you that they are finding sharp objects in strange locations.
• Evidence that your teenager's friends are self-mutilating.
• Teen regularly locking themselves away for long periods in their room or the bathroom.
• Loss of interest in spending time with friends.
• Stops participating in normal social activities.
• Finding sharp objects hidden in your child's room, bathroom, or vehicle (common with teen cutters).
• Wearing of long sleeve shirts and long pants, even in hot weather.
• The appearance of an abnormal or unexplainable number of injuries or scars.

Self-injury and cutting statistics estimate that one in every 200 girls between 13 and 19 years old, or one-half of one percent, cut themselves regularly. Most alarming is that this number is continuing to increase and statistics show that without treatment many of these teens will continue to self-mutilate into their adult years.

If you or a loved one are participating in self-harm in anyway it is time to get help. There are many good teen therapists and counsellors that can help a person or family recover.

Who is at Risk for Self-Mutilation?

Who is at risk for self-mutilation? You may be surprised. According to statistics teen girls have tended to participate in self-injury more than teen boys. However, recent studies show the number of boys who self-injure have continued to increase to near the same percentages as girls, if not equal. Some of the most common things amongst teens that self-mutilate or injure is they have been victims of physical or sexual abuse, have an alcoholic parent, a substance abuse problem, an eating disorder, or suffer from another mental condition like bipolar or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Teens who self-mutilate often:

• Have a low self-esteem
• Have difficulty controlling impulses
• Display high anxiety levels
• Have difficulty coping with stressful situations
• Tend to hide away in their own space for hours on end
• Are hyper-sensitive and feel unaccepted by parents or peers.

Although not every teen who self-injures has experienced abuse, abuses drugs, has a mental condition, or shows all of the symptoms above, these are very common factors amongst teens who admit to self-mutilation and should not be ruled out as a source of part of their problem. If you find out your teen, or a teen you know is participating in cutting, hair pulling, or self-mutilation of any kind it is best to seek professional help. Find a therapist the teen feels comfortable with and trusts. If they do not connect with the first counsellor do not get discouraged, but do seek out another, and another, and another if necessary. The best way for them to work through this and be able to stop is to be able to communicate what is going on within themselves.

Why Teens Self-Mutilate

The reasons why teens self-mutilate may be one of the most difficult things to understand. For anyone who would never consider, or even think of intentionally causing harm to themselves, the concept of self-mutilation may seem bizarre and frightening. The reasons for self harm may be difficult to discover and differs among teens. Many teens say these are some of the reasons they engage in self-harm:

• It relieves tension
• It's a way to express anger, or other unacceptable feelings
• To punish themselves
• To "numb out"
• To feel "alive"
• It gives them a sense of control
• It relieves feelings of emptiness
• It replaces "bad" thoughts
• To calm down
• It gives them a euphoric feeling

Many teens use self-injury as a coping mechanism to help them release tension, relieve stress, and overcome feelings of depression. Self mutilation provides temporary relief of pain or overwhelming feelings or emotions that the teen doesn't feel like they can deal with. This behavior can become very habit forming and addictive, much like some drugs.

Many teens do not have the maturity or verbal skills to work through or discuss the things they are feeling and therefore turn to self mutilation as a way to release the tensions and stress associated with their emotional distress. These teens often lack other ways to release or deal with these overwhelming emotions, such as physical sports, regular exercise programs, therapy, or anyone they feel they can confide in.