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EATING DISORDERS
WHAT IS AN EATING DISORDER?
EATING DISORDERS are characterized by irrational thoughts and behaviors regarding weight, food, and the perception of body image. The most important eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Other disorders are atypical or incomplete forms of the above and avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder in children (ARFID).EATING DISORDERS in general cause a large quantity of physical and mental health complications such as depression and anxiety, among others, that must also be treated.
RISK FACTORS
- Female gender.
- Obsessive character traits such as perfectionism, rigidity, obsessiveness, anxiety or impulsivity.
- Family history of eating disorders (genetic vulnerability)
TRIGGERING FACTORS
- Real or perceived overweight.
- Repeated dieting to control weight.
- History of teasing and criticism about physical appearance.
- Sports activities that require having a thin body.
- Previous bariatric surgery.
- Traumatic experiences such as physical abuse or sexual abuse or involving other forms of violent acts.
FACTORS THAT MAINTAIN THE SYMPTOMS OVER TIME
- Problems in family relationships.
- Continuing non-medically indicated diets.
- The presence of untreated mental disorders.
TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS
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Anorexia nervosa
In anorexia, people go on extreme diets in order to lose weight or keep it off. They may also exercise in an exaggerated manner, vomit or abuse laxatives. People with anorexia are below the expected weight for their size and age. They perceive their body in a distorted way, i.e., fatter or less thin than it really is. -
Bulimia nervosa
People with bulimia oscillate between restricting and binge eating (episodes where they consume large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control), after which they induce vomit or purge. Their weight tends to be within normal limits, but they also have a distorted body image. -
Binge eating disorder
People with binge eating disorder differ from those with bulimia in that they do not restrict food groups or amounts, nor do they compensate by purging or vomiting. They therefore tend to progressively gain weight and to eventually become obese. -
Avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
TREATING EATING DISORDERS
The Intensive Outpatient Program (PAI for its name in Spanish) is a comprehensive attention program for adolescents and young adults with eating disorders and other associated illnesses, which includes the family in the therapeutic process.
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OUR BOOK
The book Cuando Tu Forma de Comer se Convierte en un Problema (“When the Way You Eat Becomes a Problem”) is written for children between 8 and 13 years old, parents and educators. It seeks to reinforce healthy eating habits and to educate on risk behaviors for eating disorders and obesity.Calle 118 # 47A -12. Barrio Alhambra. Bogotá
Bogotá – Colombia –
2024
