Approximately 65 percent of American women have disordered eating behaviors. This data comes from a 2008 study conducted by Self Magazine, in collaboration with the University of Northern Carolina at Chapel Hill. An additional 10 percent of women reported some symptoms related to eating disorders. In total, 75 percent of women surveyed showed some relationship to disordered eating.

Cynthia R. Bulik, Ph.D., William and Jeanne Jordan Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders in the UNC School of Medicine's department of psychiatry and director of the UNC Eating Disorders Program, commented on the study's findings:

"Our survey found that these behaviors cut across racial and ethnic lines and are not limited to any one group. ... Women who identified their ethnic backgrounds as Hispanic or Latina, white, black or African American and Asian were all represented among the women who reported unhealthy eating behaviors." (Source: sciencedaily.com)

Labels: diagnosis, symptoms, treatment

A new type of website is cropping up on the Internet. Known as "Thinspo" (short for "Thinspiration"), these pro-ana (pro-anorexia) and pro-mia (pro-bulimia) websites provide various forms of inspiration and advice for girls and women to starve themselves. Inspirational messages come in the form of photo montages of super-skinny models, tips for tricking doctors at weigh-ins, drastic (and sometimes lethal) weight-loss strategies, and pro-anorexia rock anthems like Superchick's song "Courage."

The sites also promote links to video sites like youtube.com, where anorexic girls proudly post photos and videos of their emaciated forms. These glimpses of normal girls in the throes of extreme anorexia have been dubbed "Real Girl Thinspo" and are often accompanied by encouragement from posters and viewers, such as "starve on, skinny b*tches." Other sub-forms of Thinspo include Celebrity Thinspo and Bones Thinspo.

Anorexia nervosa has the highest fatality rate of any mental illness; about 1 in 5 people who develop the disorder die from it. In light of this, experts and government officials are registering alarm at the growing popularity of pro-anorexia websites. In April 2008, for example, the French government proposed making the incitement of eating disorders illegal and punishable by heavy fines. (Source: themedium.blogs.nytimes.com)

Labels: influences, parents, peers

This week, Examiner.com published the story of Mark Bergstrom. Bergstrom, a 25-year-old marketing executive from Maryland, sought treatment for anorexia nervosa after dropping from his normal weight of 145 pounds to 108 pounds. Bergstrom believes that his eating disorder originated during his senior year of college. As a serious lacrosse player and self-described perfectionist, Bergstrom was devastated when his coach and mentor died in an accident and Bergstrom sustained injuries which kept him from playing in the final match of his senior year.

He remembers deciding to drink more and eat less as a way to control the chaos in his life. However, it wasn't until a couple of years later that Bergstrom sought formal help, after his weight got dangerously low. He realized that although he could control his urge to drink, he could not control his severe aversion to food. Now recovered, Bergstrom speaks out about men and eating disorders. In particular, he says, the most important step for any guy who thinks he may have an eating disorder is to "just tell someone."

According to the nonprofit organization Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. (ANRED), anorexia currently affects one male for every four females. (Source: Examiner.com)

Labels: bigorexia, manorexia, men

A 2008 study by Michigan State University (MSU) found that testosterone may protect individuals from developing eating disorders. The study provides evidence that eating disorders are influenced by biological factors. Eating disorders were once thought to result exclusively from external stimuli, such as social pressures and family dynamic.

The study featured an unusual participant pool - the MSU Twin Registry. The Registry contains information on 1,200 sets of twins, ages 6 to 30 years. The research indicated that women who shared a womb with (i.e., were exposed to prenatal testosterone) and were raised with a brother were at lower risk for eating disorders than women who were not twins but were raised with a brother. Simply being raised with a brother did not act as a protective factor against eating disorders.

(Source: ScienceDaily.com)

A 2008 study by the University of Denver found that undergraduate female students who participated in athletics or other fitness-related activities were much more likely to have attitudes and behaviors related to eating disorders than female undergraduates who did not exercise.

The study collected information from 274 female undergraduates from a large university in the southeastern United States. The study divided participants into four groups: varsity athletes, club athletes, independent exercisers, and non-exercisers. The study explored whether differences existed among these groups regarding disordered eating symptoms and behaviors. Researchers found that women who worried about physical performance related to sports or exercise were more likely to displays symptoms of disordered eating and to have body dissatisfaction.

Jill Holm-Denoma, lead author of the study, commented:

"As women's participation in athletics increases, so too does the need for awareness of the link between eating disorders and sports participation among women. Coaches and athletic departments should consider consulting with clinicians to implement prevention and monitoring programs for the female athletes and independent exercisers at their universities."

(Source: ScienceDaily.com)

According to a study released earlier this year by Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University, the DSM-IV(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) may lack sufficient criteria for diagnosing various eating disorders. The DSM-IV is the generally accepted manual for diagnosing psychiatric disorders.

Anorexia, one of the main forms of disordered eating, has the highest fatality rate of any psychiatric disorder. The need for proper criteria to support early identification and treatment of eating disorders is imperative. Currently, the only eating disorders that are officially recognized and formally defined by the DSM-IV are anorexia nervosa and bulimia; binge eating disorder is mentioned only in the appendix.

According to the study, however, the most frequent diagnoses for eating disorders were "eating disorder NOS" (NOS stands for "not otherwise specified" and is used as a catch-all when a behavior doesn't fit in a formally recognized category) and binge eating disorder. These findings support the need for more comprehensive coverage of eating disorders in the DSM.

(Source: ScienceDaily.com)

A recent study by the University of Virginia indicates that adolescent girls suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are at increased risk for developing eating disorders. ADHD affects an estimated 5 percent of school-aged children. Boys are three times more likely than girls to have ADHD. Symptoms of ADHD may include a short attention span, poor organizational abilities, excessive talking, disruptive and aggressive behavior, restlessness, and irritability.

Although boys are three times more likely than girls to have ADHD, girls are 10 times more likely than boys to have eating disorders. Researchers hypothesize that ADHD may put adolescent girls at greater risk for eating disorders because having ADHD exacerbates influences that encourage disordered eating, and the impulsive behaviors caused by ADHD may be related to impulsive eating behaviors. Lead researcher, psychologist Amori Yee Mikami, commented:

"Girls with ADHD may be more at risk of developing eating problems as adolescents because they already have impulsive behaviors that can set them apart from their peers. ... As they get older, their impulsivity may make it difficult for them to maintain healthy eating and a healthy weight, resulting in self-consciousness about their body image and the binging and purging symptoms."

(Source: ScienceDaily.com)