Prevention of Eating Disorders - Research Paper Example

? Eating Disorders The DSM-IV criterion has categorized three conditions under the heading of eating disorders which includeAnorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). Eating disorders are known to have existed since centuries but these disorders have become a subject of concern owing to the rise in the statistics of the number of people suffering from these conditions. There are many underlying causes that result in eating disorders and the most important causes include genetic factors, family influences as well as the role of the mass media. The treatment of eating disorders is based upon immediate management of the patient followed by pharmacological therapy and psychological and family counseling sessions. Prevention of eating disorders can best be done by dissonance educational approach and through the spreading of awareness by the utilization of the internet as a source. Knowledge and understanding of the Bible can also help in the prevention of eating disorders. Eating Disorders Introduction Eating disorders are a set of psychiatric conditions which are known to be extremely challenging owing to the difficulty associated with the diagnosis of these conditions. Furthermore, upon diagnosis, eating disorders are difficult to manage and treat and many cases of these conditions go unreported as well (Shives 2009). According to the DSM-IV criteria, there are specifically three conditions which lie under the classification of eating disorders. These include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). Anorexia Nervosa as defined by the DSM IV criteria is a condition where the patient does not “maintain a minimally normal weight” and also has a constant dread of gaining excessive weight and females develop amenorrhea secondary to the condition. Bulimia nervosa is described as a condition where the patient eats constantly, “followed by inappropriate compensatory behavior (including vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, laxatives, diuretics)”. The conditions which do not fulfill the requirements of either bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa are then labeled as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) by the DSM IV classification (Jaffa and McDermott 2007). History of Eating Disorders Eating Disorders have often been associated with the changes in the lifestyle over the years and it is a common belief that eating disorders did not exist in ancient times and are mainly diseases of the modern era. But it has been historically proved with the assistance of the scripts found of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Persian dwellers that these conditions have been persisting since the olden times. The Romans had specific areas which were known as “vomitoriums” where they used to vomit after consuming heavy meals at grand feasts. The African folklore also sheds light upon people who were referred to as “voluntary restrictors.” These individuals did not consume meals during the times of low productivity of crops and sacrificed their food for their children who could be fed. These individuals continued this trend even when the food productivity became normal despite of their failing health. These examples clearly indicate the fact that eating disorders have been prevalent since centuries (Kramer et al 2009; Shives 2009). Richard Morton was the first physician from Europe who officially described the condition anorexia nervosa in the year 1689. This was followed by the description of anorexia nervosa by two more physicians in the year 1873 and 1874. In 1873, Lasegue described the condition in France and in the year 1874, this disorder was elaborated by Gull in England. The word anorexia was coined in the nineteenth century and this was followed by greater learning regarding the eating disorders in the coming years (Kramer et al 2009; Shives 2009). Causes of Eating Disorders The statistics of eating disorders have greatly increased over the years and it has been assessed that these disorders have a greater predisposition towards females. Athletes, trainers of physical fitness and ballet dancers are at a greater risk for the development of eating disorders in comparison to others. Anorexia nervosa is known to be present in females as young as 5 years to females in their fourth decade of life (Brown 2008). In the United States of America, up to 0.9 percent adult females report the occurrence of anorexia nervosa whereas 1.5 percent of the same group report of bulimia nervosa in their lifetime (Yager and O'Dea 2008). Several causes have been identified for the occurrence of eating disorders. The role of genetics in the occurrence of eating disorders has been proved by research as it has been seen to be present in families. Psychological and personality traits have been linked as causes of eating disorders as well. People with obsessive thoughts and who are socially restricted have a greater tendency to develop anorexia nervosa. Low self-confidence and sensitive nature act as promoters of bulimia nervosa. The environment and the social media serve as other causes of eating disorders. Thin individuals have been portrayed as beautiful by the media since the second part of the twentieth century. This has led to create complexes amongst the local masses. The prime focus of the media is upon females and it is for this reason that eating disorders are more commonly seen in women. Another important cause of eating disorders is family pressure where constant pushing by the family members for losing weight of a person results in irregular eating habits (Jaffa and McDermott 2007; Durand and Barlow 2010). Treatment The management of eating disorders follows a step by step approach. The first step in the management of eating disorders is to correct the weight of the patient and to treat the pathological states that have resulted due to the eating disorder. This is particularly true for anorexia nervosa where the patients are underweight. The most important approach is to correct the weight and in people whose weight lies below the 70th percentile, hospital admission is important to prevent acute health problems. Following the attainment of normal weight, psychological and nutritional counseling of the patients is to be commenced. Patients are to be counseled with regard to healthy eating habits. Their image regarding their body and beauty is to be improved which can be done by counseling sessions to increase their level of self-confidence and esteem. Family involvement is of utmost importance and family sessions are to be held for correcting the psychological state of the patient (Brown 2008; Durand and Barlow 2010). Research with regard to the prognosis of therapy in anorexic patients has shown that up to 50 percent of the patients recover from this disease (Shives 2009). The treatment of bulimia nervosa is similar to that of anorexia nervosa. The immediate treatment of pathologies is the first step. This is followed by counseling the patient with regard to the negative health effects of irregular eating and vomiting on purpose. Nutritional counseling is of significance as patients need to be guided to overcome their habits of binging. Psychological counseling and family sessions are also an important part of treatment. The only difference is that psychotherapeutic medications are useful in patients of bulimia nervosa for the treatment of associated psychiatric conditions like depression or obsessive compulsive disorder. The treatment outcome of bulimia nervosa is better that of anorexia (Brown 2008; Durand and Barlow 2010). Prevention Eating disorders are conditions that can have long term effects on the health and psychological state of an individual. It is better to initiate prevention programs to overcome these disorders to reduce their prevalence and negative effects. Studies have been conducted which indicate the benefit of preventive programs in the reduction of eating disorders. It is known that eating disorders are more common amongst adolescents and in particular amongst the people of university going age. Studies have thus targeted the university going students. It is important to understand the fact that prevention programs should encompass adolescents irrespective of sex because eating disorders prevail both amongst men and women (Yager and O'Dea 2008). In the study conducted by Yager and O’Dea in the year 2008, it was revealed that dissonance based programs of health education were extremely beneficial in helping the adolescents for the improvement of their self-confidence and hence prevented them from developing eating disorders. This approach assisted young university students to stop idolizing and associating the image of being thin with beauty. Media literacy was another aspect covered in this study and it revealed that proper guidance and education with regard to media also acted as a preventive factor of eating disorders. The most interesting aspect of the study was that the delivery of health and media education through the internet or similar means received a better response and worked more effectively in the reduction of eating disorders (Yager and O'Dea 2008). The effect of internet based interventions for the treatment of eating disorders was proved by another study amongst high risk female university students who were educated via the internet and followed for three years. The results of the study showed that this form of intervention via the internet proved to be beneficial for the students (Taylor et al 2006). Cross Cultural Influences on Eating Disorders Studies across different countries of the world have clearly highlighted cultural influences on eating disorders. A very good example to display the cultural difference is that of the African American and the European American women. The European American women have a higher susceptibility of suffering from eating disorders in comparison to the African American women. This may be attributed to their cultural thinking with regard to the ideal body shape and weight. The African Americans do not emphasize upon being thin whereas the European American culture lays greater emphasis upon being thin and connects thinness with the beauty of an individual. This may be the reason for the greater number of European Americans having eating disorders (Tseng 2003; Levine and Smolak 2006). Several studies have also demonstrated the effect of culture on eating disorders. An example is that of a survey which was conducted on the students coming from Eastern and Middle Eastern countries to the United States for their studies. These students belonged to a different culture but after studying in the Western educational institutions, their risk of developing eating disorders increased in comparison to the students living in their home countries. Thus, there is a strong correlation between the culture of an individual and eating disorders (Durand and Barlow 2010). Biblical Worldview of Eating Disorders The Bible explains the fact that every human being is beautiful in the eyes of his Lord and God does not view the external beauty of an individual but he rather judges a person on the basis of his qualities which include goodness and piety. This is clearly stated in Bible in these words, “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB) God sees every individual through his inner beauty and the external temptations that a person gets for attaining physical beauty are to be overcome. The healing of people with eating disorders can be done by explaining to them the Biblical Perspective that God loves every individual the way he has been made and there is no need for him to try to attain perfection by doing self-mutiny (Cumella et al 2008). Bible also sheds light upon the fact that all human beings are given with food to feed on by their Lord. They should thank God for his blessing and understand that eating healthy food is an essential part of living and that the availability of good food is a reward from God. Thus eating disorders can be avoided if man understands the love of God and accepts his blessings (Kaplan and Schwartz 2006). Conclusion The prevalence of eating disorders has greatly increased over the years and though these disorders can affect both males and females, females are at a greater risk. Genetic factors and the media serve as the greatest influencing factors in the causation of eating disorders. The treatment of these disorders revolves around pharmacological treatment as well as nutritional and psychological counseling. Eating disorders can be prevented through different ways which include dissonance psychological programs as well as through awareness via the internet. Cultural influences on eating disorders have also been noted and European Americans have the greatest risk of suffering from these pathologies. Improvement of self-confidence, spiritual healing and understanding of the Bible can be very helpful in preventing the occurrence of eating disorders. References Brown, J. E. (2008). Nutrition now. Belmont: Thomson/Wadsworth. Cumella, E. J., Eberly, M. C., & Wall, A. D. (2008). Eating disorders: A handbook of Christian treatment. Nashville, TN: Remuda Ranch [publisher. Durand, V. M., & Barlow, D. H. (2010). Essentials of abnormal psychology. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Jaffa, T., & McDermott, B. (2007). Eating disorders in children and adolescents. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Kaplan, K. J., & Schwartz, M. B. (2006). The seven habits of the good life: How the biblical virtues free us from the seven deadly sins. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Kramer, G. F., Golden, R. N., & Peterson, F. L. (2009). The truth about eating disorders. New York, NY: Facts On File. Levine, M. P., & Smolak, L. (2006). The prevention of eating problems and eating disorders: Theory, research, and practice. Mahwah, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Shives, Louise Rebraca. (2009). Basic Concepts of Psychiatric-mental Health Nursing 7th Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Taylor, C. B., Bryson, S., Luce, K. H., Cunning, D., Doyle, A. C., Abascal, L. B., Rockwell, R., ... Wilfley, D. E. (January 01, 2006). Prevention of eating disorders in at-risk college-age women. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63, 8, 881-8. Tseng, W.-S. (2003). Clinician's guide to cultural psychiatry. Amsterdam: Academic. Yager, Z., & O'Dea, J. A. (January 01, 2008). Prevention programs for body image and eating disorders on University campuses: a review of large, controlled interventions.Health Promotion International, 23, 2, 173-89. Read More