A crash-course ED 101 for dietitians not familiar with eating disorders
- What does "normal eating" mean and when does it become "disordered eating?"
- What are the spectrum of eating disorders?
- What are the causes of eating disorders and what does treatment involve?
- What is the dietitian's role in eating disorders?
- What are some ways to screen eating disorders and obsessive/compulsive exercise?
- Why are "Health at Every Size" and "Intuitive Eating" effective approaches in preventing clinical eating disorders?
2. Overview
I. Normal Eating, Disordered Eating & Eating Disorders
Normal eating
Disordered eating
DSM-5 Diagnostic criteria for eating disorders
II. Screening & Treatment of Eating Disorders/
Disordered Eating
Screening tools
RD’s role in ED
Role of treatment team (Medical, Nutrition & Mental health)
ED therapeutic models: HAES & Intuitive Eating
III. Resources / Q & A
3. What is “Normal” Eating?
Going to the table hungry and eating until satisfied most of the times
—but may overeat at times or under-eat at times.
Not thinking in terms of “good” and “bad” foods.
Being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get
nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out
on enjoyable food
Giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad
or bored, or just because it feels good
Responding to and respecting hunger, then choosing foods based on
what the body says it wants or doesn’t want (most of the times)
Aiming for enjoyment by staying connected to taste buds and the
feelings of fullness and satisfaction
Most importantly,
Normal Eating is FLEXIBLE!
Adapted from: Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family by Ellyn Satter, and Rules of Normal Eating by Karen Koenig
4. What is Disordered Eating?
Preoccupation over calories, grams, portions
Preoccupation over weight loss or control of food
Guilt, shame, disgust attached to foods
Constantly eating for reasons other than hunger or true
cravings
Believing that one’s identity and self worth is based on
size, weight, or what one eats
Disordered eating is when a person’s attitudes about food, weight and body
size lead to very rigid eating and exercise habits that can jeopardize one’s health and
happiness.
Balance, joy, flexibility, attunement w/ body
is replaced by preoccupation,
rigid rules, moral judgment, & negative feelings
5. Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Stress
Low Self-Esteem, self-worth
Troubled Relationships
Difficulty managing emotions,
Feelings of inadequacy,
Lack of control in life, etc.
Deeply rooted issues underneath
that feed into ED behaviors :
Food and eating issues at the surface
manifested as ED behaviors:
Serious psychological conditions that can affect the body physically and cause
significant harm
Coping mechanisms in which a sufferer uses food or eating as a way of dealing with
difficult, thoughts, emotions and experiences over a period of time
What are Eating Disorders?
6. What causes Eating Disorders?
Psychological
Factors
Interpersonal
Factors
Social
Factors
Low self-esteem
Feelings of inadequacy, lack of control in life
Depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, trauma
Troubled relationships
Difficulty expressing emotions
Hx of being teased based on size/weight
Hx of physical or sexual abuse
Cultural pressures that glorify “thinness” or muscularity
and place value on obtaining the “perfect body”
Narrow definitions of beauty
Cultural norms that value people on the basis of physical
appearance and not inner qualities and strengths
Biological
Factors
Irregular hormone functions
Genetics
7. Emotional Stress on Eating Disorders
Individuals in the following circumstances should be monitored for disordered
eating behaviors that indicate the use or avoidance food as a method to manage
stress
Death or illness of a loved one (or other life-changing events)
Rape, abortion, abuse
Trauma of any kind
Threats to safety or security
Disappointment, particularly social rejection
Comments about body weight, size or shape
External pressure to lose or gain weight or a look a certain way for
participation in sport, dance or other activities
Setnick: The Eating Disorders Clinical Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition
8. High Risk Populations for Eating Disorders
Type I Diabetes “Diabulimia”
Mortality rate of “diabulimia” is highest in ED at approx. 35%
Female Athletes High risk for female athlete triad
disordered eating, low BMD, amenorrhea
Food Allergies
and Intolerances
Multiple food allergies
Pre-existing GI conditions: IBS, celiac, etc.
Obesity Chronic dieting and weight cycling
30% prevalence of BED in obese population
Individuals with the following conditions are at higher-risk for
developing clinical eating disorders
Adolescents As many as 1% females between 12-18 have AN
Up to 10% college students suffer from a clinical or nearly
clinical ED
9. Eating Disorder Cycle
Maintaining Factors
• Controlling food intake
• Black and white thinking
• Guilt / shame / anxiety
• Cognitive distortion
Restrict/Cope with food
• Unhappy with
life/self/body
• Need for control
• Foods as self-harm or self-
medication
Triggers
• Anything that lowers self-
esteem
• Changes in life – role, job, etc.
• Loss – including identity, self
respect, autonomy, money,
health
• Other events/ trauma
Vulnerability
• Culture valuing thinness
• Family rules, roles, expectations
• Adolescence
• Perfectionist
Symptoms/Effects of ED Behaviors
• Obsessed with food and calories
• Mood swings
• Cognitive distortion
• Restrict, binge, purge, etc.
• False sense of control or feeling
out of control
Eating Disorder
Belief Systems
10. Diagnosing Eating Disorders
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (now in its
5th edition) used almost universally as a reference
DSM-5 still does NOT capture the wide range of human experience
of eating dysfunction
Diagnosing eating disorders is not as straightforward as the charts
descriptions
The DSM-5 criteria should be considered a reference
and used in conjunction with clinical judgment,
common sense and professional ethics.
11. Anorexia Nervosa
DSM-5 Criteria
Restriction of energy intake relative to requirements
leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of
age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health.
Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, or
persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain, even
though at a significantly low weight.
Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or
shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or
shape on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition
in the seriousness of the current low body weight
Subtypes
Restricting AN
Binge-eating/purging AN
• Eating disorder characterized by self-induced starvation and excessive weight loss.
• Third most common chronic illness among adolescents
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (2013). American Psychiatric Association.
12. DSM-5 Anorexia Severity Rating
• Weight in “normal range” (BMI
>18.5)
Atypical Anorexia
(FED-NEC)
• BMI between 17-18.5Mild Anorexia
• BMI between 16-16.9
Moderate
Anorexia
• BMI between 15-15.9Severe Anorexia
• BMI <15Extreme Anorexia
13. Warning signs:
Significant weight loss
Distorted body image
Intense fear/anxiety about gaining weight
Preoccupation with weight, calories, food, etc.
Feelings of guilt after eating
Denial of low weight
High levels of anxiety and/or depression
Low self-esteem
Self-injury
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Excuses for not eating/denial of hunger
Food rituals
Pale appearance/yellowish skin-tone
Thin, dull, and dry hair, skin, and nails
Cold intolerance/hypothermia
Fatigue/fainting
Abuse of laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics
Excessive and compulsive exercise
Anorexia Nervosa
Possible medical complications:
Amenorrhea
Abnormally slow and/or irregular heartbeat
Low blood pressure
Anemia
Poor circulation in hands and feet
Muscle loss and weakness
Dehydration/kidney failure
Edema/swelling
Memory loss/disorientation
Chronic constipation
Growth of lanugo hair
Bone density loss/Osteoporosis
National Eating Disorders Association www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
14. Bulimia Nervosa
DSM-5 Criteria
Recurrent episodes of binge eating characterized by
BOTH of the following:
1) Eating in a discrete amount of time (within a 2 hour
period)large amounts of food AND feeling lack of
control over eating during an episode.
2) Followed-by a recurrent inappropriate
compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight
gain
The binge eating and compensatory behaviors both
occur, on average, at least once a week for three months.
• Eating disorder characterized as binging (excessive or compulsive consumption of
food) and purging(e.g. vomiting, use of laxatives/diuretics, fasting and/or excessive
exercise)
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (2013). American Psychiatric Association.
15. DSM-5 Bulimia Severity Rating
• Less than 1 episode per week or less
than 3 months duration
Bulimia of low freq.
or limited duration
(FED-NEC)
• 1-3 episodes / weekMild Bulimia
• 4-7 episodes / weekModerate Bulimia
• 8-14 episodes / weekSevere Bulimia
• >14 episodes / weekExtreme Bulimia
Based on weekly average of past 3 months
16. Warning signs:
Bingeing and purging
Secretive eating and/or missing food
Visits to the bathroom after meals
Preoccupation with food
Weight fluctuations
Self-injury
Excessive and compulsive exercise regimes
Abuse of laxatives, diet pills, and/or diuretics
Swollen parotid glands in cheeks and neck
Discoloration and/or staining of the teeth
Broken blood vessels in eyes and/or face
Calluses on the back of the hands/knuckles
(from self-induced vomiting)
Sore throat
Heartburn/reflux
Self-criticism and low self-esteem
High levels of anxiety and/or depression
Bulimia Nervosa
Possible medical complications:
Electrolyte imbalances
(can lead to irregular heartbeat and seizures)
Edema/swelling
Dehydration
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Gastrointestinal problems
Chronic irregular bowel movements and
constipation
Inflammation and possible rupture of the
esophagus
Tears in the lining of the stomach
Chronic kidney problems/failure
Tooth decay
National Eating Disorders Association www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
17. BED: Binge Eating Disorder
DSM-5 Criteria
At least 1 > week, for 3 months:
• Experience loss of control over eating AND consume an
abnormally large amount of food in a short period of time
Episodes feature at least 3 of the following:
• consuming food faster than normal;
• consuming food until uncomfortably full;
• consuming large amounts of food when not hungry;
• consuming food alone due to embarrassment;
• feeling disgusted, depressed or guilty after eating a large
amount of food.
Marked distress regarding binge eating present
No evidence of regular compensatory behavior associated with BN,
nor do they binge eat solely during an episode of BN or AN.
• Recognized as its own disorder in DSM-5
• Most common ED in the U.S.
• Estimated 3.5% of women, 2% of men, and 30-40% of those seeking wt loss treatment
can be clinically diagnosed with BED
18. Warning signs:
Eating large quantities of food, without purging
behaviors, when not hungry
Sense of lack of control over eating
Eating until uncomfortably/painfully full
Weight gain/fluctuations
Feelings of shame and guilt
Self-medicating with food
Eating alone/secretive eating
Hiding food
High levels of anxiety and/or depression
Low self-esteem
Binge Eating Disorder
Possible medical complications:
Overweight or obese
Type II Diabetes
Osteoarthritis
Lipid abnormalities (Including increased
cholesterol)
Increased blood pressure
Chronic kidney problems
Gastrointestinal problems
Heart disease
Gallbladder disease
Joint and muscle pain
Sleep apnea
National Eating Disorders Association www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
19. Feeding or Eating Disorder
Not Elsewhere Classified
Characterized as disturbances in eating behavior that do not necessarily fall
into the specific category of anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder
Most common eating disorder diagnosis
Without treatment, 80% of FED-NEC patients are likely to develop full-
spectrum eating disorders (particularly AN)
FED-NEC:
Example of Presentations:
Atypical anorexia nervosa: All of the criteria for anorexia nervosa are met,
except the individual's weight is within or above the normal range.
Bulimia nervosa (of low frequency and/or limited duration)
Binge-eating disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration)
Purging Disorder: Recurrent purging behavior to influence weight or shape
(e.g., self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications in
the absence of binge eating)
Night eating syndrome: Recurrent episodes of night eating, as manifested by
eating after awakening from sleep or by excessive food consumption after the
evening meal
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (2013). American Psychiatric Association.
20. …and more Eating Disorders
Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (USFED)
o Symptoms of eating disorders causing clinical distress present
o But do NOT meet full diagnostic criteria for any other ED
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
o Preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical
appearance that are not observable by others
o Performs repetitive behaviors or repetitive mental acts in response to
appearance concerns
o Preoccupation not better explained by concerns with body fat or weight in
an individual whose symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for an eating
disorder
o Subtype: w/ muscle dyspmorphia
Setnick: The Eating Disorders Clinical Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (2013). American Psychiatric Association.
21. Orthorexia Nervosa
Common Clinical Features
Phobic avoidance of foods perceived to be unhealthy
Severe emotional distress after eating a food considered unhealthy
Obsession to eat only “natural” and “organic” foods
Uneasiness of foods prepared by others
Following a restrictive diet prescribed for a medical condition that the individual does not
have, or in order to prevent illness not known to be influenced by diet.
Insisting on the healthy benefits of the diet in the face of evidence to the contrary
Shares features of AN and OCD –drive is to be “pure” or “natural” as opposed to “thin”
May become malnourished or emaciated d/t food rules, restrictions
The worse one feels d/t restrictions and limitations, the more one will continue to blame
certain foods or food additives
Likely an attempt to manage anxiety and/or attempt to bolster self-esteem
• Not yet officially recognized in the DSM-5, but increasingly recognized in the
medical community.
Setnick: The Eating Disorders Clinical Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (2013). American Psychiatric Association.
22. Red-flag Thoughts & Behaviors
Preoccupation with food, eating, food rituals, body weight(or body
composition), size, shape and/or weight loss
Elimination of certain foods, food groups
Self-worth dependent on weight, size/shape, choice of foods, control of
food
Excessive weight checking, body checking
Moral judgment attached to foods eaten or not eaten
Difficulty focusing on other aspects of life due to focus on controlling food,
body, weight
Avoidance of enjoyable activities, social functions due to weight/body or
worries around food resulting in self isolation
Belief in weight loss (or changing body) as a solution to unrelated issues:
e.g. relationships, stress, happiness, etc.
Willingness to harm self due to weight, body, food goals
Poor affect management, poor self-care
Disassociation from internal(hunger/fullness/cravings) cues
and reliance on rigid rules
23. unrealistically
“It’s all about will-power” ?
Restriction:
“I’m Trying to
be Good”
“I’m Bad
now”: guilt &
shame
Increased
thoughts
about Food
“What the
heck”
response:
Binge
Give in.
“I cheated”
Identify the Vicious Cycle
Consequences:
Weight cycling
Increased food & body
preoccupation
Increased sense of failure
Decreased self-esteem
Decreased self-worth
24. ED Screening Tools
Are you terrified about being overweight?
Do you find yourself preoccupied with food?
Have you gone on eating binges where you felt if was difficult to stop?
Have you ever vomited, used laxatives, or obsessively exercised after
eating?
Do you feel extremely guilty after eating?
Are you preoccupied with a desire to be thinner?
Do you think about burning up calories when you exercise?
Are you preoccupied with the thought of having fat on your body?
Do you feel that food controls your life?
Do you think you give too much time and thought to food?
EAT-11 link: http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/NEDA
EAT-26 link: http://www.eat-26.com
Obsessive/Compulsive exercise test:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/media/wwwlboroacuk/content/ssehs/downloads/compulsive-exercise-
test.pdf
EAT-11 (via National Eating Disorders Association)
25. Is it the RD’s job to diagnose ED?
Never doubt that you may be the first to identify it
You can address the ED or disordered eating behaviors without naming
them
Sometimes, naming it can be relieving for the patient
Bring your findings to the attention of the patient’s treatment team so
that you can advocate for your patient’s treatment
It is your responsibility to help a patient identify additional treatment
needs
Opening the door to treatment is an intervention
Nonjudgmental listening, validation and normalization are interventions
and can provide a foundation for healing by allowing an individual to
speak openly about eating issues without shame.
No, but…
Content of this slide is reproduced with permission from Jessica Setnick, MS, RD
26. Advocating for your (larger) patient
Always prioritize behavior change rather than weight loss
Explain the situation to other providers, possibly family members,
including the need for specialized treatment
Get comfortable recommending counseling and evaluation for psychiatric
care
Weight loss doesn’t happen on a schedule
Weight loss for someone with an eating disorder is acceptable as a
consequence of healthy eating habits. –NOT acceptable as a goal.
That doesn’t mean it’s wrong for the patient to want to lose weight
Content of this slide is reproduced with permission from Jessica Setnick, MS, RD
27. Essential Care Team in ED
Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Stress
Loneliness, Low Self-Esteem,
Troubled Relationships
Difficulty managing emotions,
Feelings of inadequacy,
Lack of control in life, etc.
Deeply rooted issues underneath
that feed into ED behaviors :
Therapy
Food and eating issues at the surface
manifested as ED behaviors:
Restricting, Binging,
Purging, Emotional/Stress Eating
Nutrition
Monitoring and evaluation
for medical stability
Medical
28. Level of Care for Eating Disorders
Level 1
Out-patient
Scheduled appointments with multi-disciplinary treatment team
Medical provider, therapist, dietitian
Level 2
IOP
Intensive out-patient treatment of 2-3 times week
Individual therapy, group therapy, nutrition therapy
Possibly support meals
Level 3
PHP
Partial hospitalization program/day program
5 days a week, 8 hours a day
Similar to IOP, but more intensive and tightly structured
Level 4
Residential
Residential in-patient
Long-term care: 24 hours a day treatment
Level 5
Hospital
Hospital in-patient
Short-term
Crisis stabilization
29. Nutrition Intervention Goals of the RD
1. Nutrition rehabilitation to support:
o Medical stability and weight restoration
o Physiological/cognitive function restoration
2. Support “Normalized” eating including:
o Variety and balance of foods
o Nutritional adequacy
o Absence of binge/purging behaviors
3. Gentle and safe physical activities
4. Support client in increasing confidence and skills
in eating through:
o Accurate nutrition knowledge
o Intuitive/Mindful eating
o Reframing irrational beliefs regarding food/
body/weight/eating
o Effective behavioral strategies
5. Support client to live a fuller life with less rigidity,
but more balance and flexibility in food and
nutrition
Nutrition Rehabilitation
: MNT
Ambivalence & Change
MNT, CBT, DBT, IE, HAES
Recover & Thrive
: IE, HAES
30. Treatment Goals
Ultimate goals of eating disorder treatment
o Medical/physical stability and physical health restoration fully refed
o “Normalized” eating, including variety, balance, nutritional adequacy and
comfort with food
o “Normalized” and safe physical activities
o Absence of purging behaviors
o Healthy coping mechanisms for triggers
o Improved mental health
o “Good enough” body image
o Sense of flexibility in thoughts of body and food
o Full perceived body experience
o Sense of integration and connection
o Supportive social structure in place to prevent relapse during stress
31. Therapeutic Models for ED Treatment
Modality Philosophy
FBT Most effective for children up to 19 yo residing at home. Parents
as a resource in the treatment of adolescent patients with AN.
CBT Irrational beliefs lead to irrational and destructive responses.
Challenge thoughts to change behavior.
DBT Accept thoughts as flawed, choose alternate behaviors. Coping
skills and distress tolerance promote recovery.
Health at Every Size
(HAES)
Self-acceptance irrespective of body size is the foundation of
good health and normal eating.
Intuitive Eating/
Non-diet Approach
Respectful responsiveness to hunger, satiety and emotions
promotes eating disorder recovery (and effective in prevention!)
Motivational
Interviewing
Increased awareness of internal ambivalence and more
confidence in one’s abilities enhance behavior change.
Selected list from- Setnick: The Eating Disorders Clinical Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition
32. Why Health at Every Size(HAES)?
America’s diet industry = prescription for Eating Disorders
Private weight-loss industry estimated at $61 billion annually in the U.S.
Unprecedented levels of body dissatisfaction and repeated attempts to lose
weight
More than 90% of individuals unable to maintain weight loss over long term
Downfalls of the conventional “weight-focused” paradigm
Ineffective at producing thinner, healthier bodies (even damaging!)
Increases food and body weight preoccupation
Creates “weight-cycling”
Distraction from other personal health goals and wider health determinants
Reduced self-esteem
Increased risk for eating disorders
What is HAES?
A research-based trans-disciplinary movement that supports taking the focus
off of weight(loss) and putting it on health
Encourages self-acceptance and self-care as the foundation of one’s health
33. Core Principles of HAES
1. HAES encourages Body-Acceptance and Self-Compassion
Shame does not motivate beneficial lifestyle change
Self-acceptance is a cornerstone of self-care
Goss K, Allen S: Compassion focused therapy for eating disorders. Int J of Cognitive Therapy 2010, 3:141-158.
Bacon L, Stern J, Van Loan M, Keim N: Size acceptance and intuitive eating improve health for obese, female chronic dieters. J Am
Diet Assoc 2005, 105:929-936.
Acceptance
Increase in self-
care ability
Sustainable improvements in
health behaviors
2. HAES supports reliance on internal regulatory processes, such as
hunger and satiety, as opposed to encouraging cognitively-imposed
dietary restriction
3. HAES supports active embodiment as opposed to encouraging
structured exercise
34. Research supporting HAES
Review of RCT studies comparing “non-diet” approach vs. weight-focused diet
Non-diet approach associated with statistically and clinically relevant improvements
in:
Physiological measures (e.g. blood pressure, blood lipids, insulin sensitivity)
Health behaviors (e.g. physical activity, eating disorder pathology)
Psychosocial outcomes (e.g. mood, self-esteem, body image)
Bacon, Linda. Weight Science: Evaluating the Evidence for a Paradigm Shift. (2011) Nutrition Journal
Emerging as standard of practice in the ED field, and supported by:
The Academy for Eating Disorders
Binge Eating Disorder Association
Eating Disorder Coalition
International Association for Eating Disorder Professionals
National Eating Disorder Association
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
35. HAES Guidelines for Clinicians
HAES guideline for clinicians as supported by the
“Association for Size Diversity and Health” & “Academy of Eating Disorders”
Interventions should focus on health, not weight, and should be referred to as
“health promotion” and not marketed as “obesity prevention.”
Interventions should be constructed from a holistic perspective, where
consideration is given to physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual
aspects of health.
Interventions should promote self-esteem, body satisfaction, and respect for
size diversity
Lifestyle-oriented elements of interventions that focus on physical activity and
eating should be delivered from a compassion-centered approach that
encourages self-care rather than as prescriptive injunctions to meet expert
guidelines
Interventions should focus only on modifiable behaviors where there is
evidence that such a modification will improve health. Weight is not a
behavior and therefore not an appropriate target for behavior modification
36. Why Intuitive Eating?
Restrictive Diets DON’T Work
90-95% failure rate (of gaining back in within
one year)
Weight cycling is associated with heavier
weight
Increases cravings and food obsessions
Decreases metabolism
Increases stress, fatigue, feelings of failure,
anxiety, sleep disturbance
IE promotes balance, choice, wisdom and acceptance.
Increased production of fat-storage enzymes
Reduced production of appetite-suppressing hormones
Herbert BL, Blechert J, Hautzinger M, Matthias E., Herbert C..(2013). Intuitive eating is associated with interoceptive
sensitivity. Effects on body mass index. Appetite, 70 (Nov) 22-30
Denny KN, Loth K, Eisenberg ME, Neumark-Sztainer D(2013). Intuitive eating in young adults. Who is doing it, and how
is it related to disordered eating behaviors? Appetite. Jan; 60 (1)13-9
37. Key Components of Intuitive Eating
1. Unconditional permission to eat
2. Eating primarily for physical rather than emotional reasons
3. Relying on internal hunger, fullness, and satiety cues
What can be achieved through Intuitive Eating
Awareness of hunger and fullness
Recognize non-hunger triggers
Meet other needs effectively without food
Eat for nourishment and enjoyment
Increase satisfaction from eating
Self-empowerment
Trusting and listening to one’s own body: non-judgmentally & with
self-compassion
Invest energy in living a vibrant life (not preoccupation in food)
38. 10 Key Intuitive Eating Principles
1. Reject the Diet Mentality
2. Honor your Hunger
3. Make Peace with Food
4. Challenge the Food Police
5. Respect Fullness
6. Discover your Satisfaction Factor
7. Honor Feelings without Food
8. Respect your Body
9. (Intuitive) Exercise – Feel the Difference
10. Honor your Health (with Gentle Nutrition)
Intuitive Eating is an individual’s attunement with food, mind and body.
39. Readiness for Intuitive Eating in ED
o Biological restoration and balance
o Recognition that the eating disorder is not about weight or
food, but rather something deeper
o Ability to recognize and willingness to deal with feelings
o Ability to identify wants and needs
o Tolerate risk
o Tolerate being uncomfortable
Indicators for when Intuitive Eating approaches may be
appropriate in ED patients
Therefore, IE may not be appropriate in acute stages of
an Eating Disorder
40. Some Take-Aways
Balance, joy, flexibility, and attunement w/ the body are key components
of “normal” eating
Rigid rules, moral judgment, negative feelings (guilt/shame), self-worth
tied with food/body/weight are red flags for disordered eating
Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of
long-standing behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal and
social factors
RDs may be the first ones to identify ED behaviors: refer and advocate
treatment for your patients!
Nonjudgmental listening, validation and normalization are
interventions and can provide a foundation for healing
Use HAES approaches to promote healthy behaviors and self-
acceptance regardless of size or weight
Use Intuitive Eating approaches to help patients reconnect and
work with their bodies, not against them!
41.
42. Book Resources
Eating Disorders: A Guide to Medical Care and Complications (Philip Mehler, MD.,
Arnold Anderson, MD. )
Nutrition Counseling in the Treatment of Eating Disorders (Marcia Herrin, Ed.D,
MPH, RD)
The Compassionate-Mind Guide to Ending Overeating (Ken Goss, Dclin.Psy)
Overcoming Binge Eating (Chris Fairburn, DM, FMedSci, FRCPsych.)
Health at Every Size: The surprising truth about your weight (Linda Bacon, Ph.D)
Body Respect (Linda Bacon, Ph.D)
Intuitive Eating (Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD.)
The Rules of Normal Eating (Karen Koenig, LICSW)
43. On-line Resources
Academy of Eating Disorders: www.aedweb.org
Behavioral Health Nutrition (Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics):
www.bhndpg.org
Eating Disorders Coalition: www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org
International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals:
www.iaedp.com
International Federation of Eating Disorders Dietitians:
www.eddietitians.com
National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders:
www.anad.org
National Eating Disorders Association: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Health at Every Size Community
www.HAES.org
Association for Size Diversity and Health:
www.sizediversityandhealth.org
Intuitive Eating www.intuitiveeating.com
2nd career dietitian
Food-eating never occurred.
Once made connection between healthy eating and health: will never let my kids eat ice cream!
Now a dietiian saying yes you can eat cake!
After grad school: a year of a adolescent fellowhip at Children’s in the ADO medicine dpartment for ED and weight mngt
Not about what or how much one eats.
It’s about the thoughts, attitudes around food.
Joy is gone: replaced by guilt and shame
Flexibility is gone: rigidity and judgement
To a point where these will interfere with normal life.
Food and body worries take a huge proportion: sometimes I ask clients to draw pie chart or ask them what percent of time they think about
ED can be fatal:
Medical complications are not the topic of today’s talk: cardiac risk, (low heart rate, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances), cognitive function, bone health compromised. Endocrine dysfunction, etc. can become deadly and fatal
Complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal and social factors
Some of the Biological Factors that Can Contribute to Eating Disorders:
Scientists are still researching possible biochemical or biological causes of eating disorders. In some individuals with eating disorders, certain chemicals in the brain that control hunger, appetite, and digestion have been found to be unbalanced. There is a need for further research in this area.
Eating disorders often run in families. Current research indicates that there are significant genetic contributions to eating disorders.
ED is not a thin rich girl’s disease: affects male/female, all race/ethnicity, all ages: I have 12-55
PTSD
Abuse, abandonement
30-60% of BED patients are obese (pg 5)
according to the National Institute of Mental Health, as many as 10% of college women suffer from a clinical or nearly clinical eating disorder, including 5.1% who suffer from bulimia nervosa. Studies indicate that by their first year of college, 4.5 to 18% of women and 0.4% of men have a history of bulimia and that as many as 1% of females between the ages of 12 and 18 have anorexia
Dieting typically precedes the full-blown ED as an athlete restricts eating to achieve lower body weight for enhanced performance. This tends to occur more often in
sports that encourage a lean physique, such as running, wrestling, dance, and gymnastics (6). In female athletes, the interrelationships between energy availability, menstrual function, and bone mineral density may prompt the distinct symptoms of amenorrhea, disordered eating, and osteoporosis known as female athlete
triad (25). An athlete does not necessarily need to exhibit all three symptoms o be at risk for compromised health and an ED; rather, the individual is assessed across a spectrum of abnormal behaviors. RDs play a role in the identification and treatment of disordered eating patterns in this vulnerablepopulation.
Crohn’s : an iflammatory bowel disorder: chronic inflammatory disorder, in which the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract
Never doubt you might be the first one to identify it
It is our responsibility to help a patient identify additional treatment needs
Focus on weight is taken off (change from DSM-iV) : used to be “refusal to maintain 85% of expected weight”
Amenorrhea is removed from the criterion
Muscle loss and weakness (including the heart
Muscle loss and weakness (including the heart
Although BED patients will be offered many treatment options for weight loss, few will ever receive treatment for their ED
What is binge eating or overeating mainly triggered by?
Deprivation: undereating-overeating cycle
Emotions
Dissociative type: eating to “check out”
Muscle loss and weakness (including the heart
f the individual has an eating disturbance
that is clinically significant, but does not
meet criteria for any other feeding or eat
-
ing disorder. Thus, the NEC category is
not meant to capture disordered eating,
which can be present among the general
population, but rather, eating conditions
that may cause significant distress, inter
-
ference with daily life, a
Example of Presentations:
Atypical anorexia nervosa: All of the criteria for anorexia nervosa are met, except that despite significant weight loss, the individual's weight is within or above the normal range.
Bulimia nervosa (of low frequency and/or limited duration): All of the criteria for bulimia nervosa are met, except that the binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors occur, on average, less than once a week and/or for less than 3 months.
Binge-eating disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration): All of the criteria for binge-eating disorder are met, except the binge eating occurs, on average, less than once a week and/or for less than 3 months.
Purging Disorder: Recurrent purging behavior to influence weight or shape (e.g., self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications) in the absence of binge eating.
Night eating syndrome: Recurrent episodes of night eating, as manifested by eating after awakening from sleep or by excessive food consumption after the evening meal. There is awareness and recall of the eating. The night eating is not better explained by external influences such as changes in the individual's sleep-wake cycle or by local social norms.
Dr. Stephen Bratman coined the term in 1997: term has moved into common usage.
In Orthorexia: As with AN, the elusive goal is never attained and sense of failure reinforces the internal drive to avoid even more foods
Malnutrition will further impair cognitive functioning, increase anxiety and perputate dysfunctional behaviors
The worse one ffels continue to blame certain foods or food additives
Behavioral chain analysis: a DBT technique
Creating a behavioral chain anaylss with your client can help client visualize the vicious cycle she/he may be trapped in.
Can find places to “break” the chain: what could you do differently? What would it take you to do it? Remind youself? Motivational interviewing!
http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/NEDA
Orthorexia example: relief of “naming”
Help pt understand ED is an issue with causes and treatment NOT a personal failure! – relieving!
Refferals: language is SO important! Not that “you have a problem that needs to be fixed” but “that sounds really tough and that you could use some more support!”
RG’s case example
Sometimes, naming it can be relieving for the patient: you may be the first to help a patient consider the ED as an issue with causes and treatment rather than a personal failure
Bring your findings to the attention of the patient’s treatment team so that you can advocate for your patient’s treatment
Especially important for BED or ED in larger bodies!: advocate for treatment rather than weight loss
Eating disorders are multi-faceted and involve varying complexities
Critical to have a team of professionals that can address each of these concerns
Care team essential for total care for client, but also because there are times when whole team has to send unified message.
Client that had to pull back for medical recovery: through nutrition, because nutrition is the medicine.
Dissociative response to trauma
Failure of treatment at any level is a legitimate reason for higher level of care
IOP: when >80% IBW, medically stable, but lower level of care failed
PHP: when <80% IBW, intability to control compulsive behaviors without supervision, medically stable
Residential: 70-85% IBW
Hosptial
Both physical restoration and cognitive/emotionalrestoration have to occur; physical restoration alone does not constitute recovery (4).
Maintenance stage and recovery stage is all relevant for disordered eating behaviors, such as, restricting, dieting, compulsive exercise, etc.
Jump to the Therapeutic modes slide from here:
Sense of flexibility in thoughts and body
NOT that weight doesn’t matter: but it’s not the ONLY thing that matters: LET’S LOOK AT THE LARGER PICTURE
My large client: no one advocated for her
If by focusing on weight itself (checking everyday): determining success/fail, set up for disappointment, discouraged to continue behaviors, become added stressor. What good are we doing?
At the heart of HAES is self compasison and self love! : big difference in eating “healthy” and exercising as punishment or out of self care
Weight-loss is acceptable as a consequnce of healthy behaviors. It is not accepatable as a goal
That doesn’t mean it’s wrong to want to lose weight
Prioritize behavior change rather than weight loss
Weight loss doesn’t happen on a schedule
extensive research documenting the role of chronic stress in conditions conventionally described as obesity-associated, such as hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease [173]. These conditions are mediated through increased metabolic risk seen as raised cholesterol, raised blood pressure, raised triglycer- ides and insulin resistance. The increase in metabolic risk can in part be explained by a change in eating, exer- cise and drinking patterns attendant on coping with stress. However, changes in health behaviors do not fully account for the metabolic disturbances. Instead, stress itself alters metabolism independent of a person’s lifestyle habits [174]. Thus, it has been suggested that psychological distress is the antecedent of high meta- bolic risk [175], which indicates the need to ensure health promotion policies utilize strategies known to reduce, rather than increase, psychological stress. In addition to the impact of chronic stress on health, an increasing body of international research, discussed ear- lier, recognizes particular pathways through which weight stigmatization and discrimination impact on health, health-seeking behaviors, and quality of health care [125-133].
Policies which promote weight loss as feasible and beneficial not only perpetuate misinformation and damaging stereotypes [176], but also contribute to a healthist, moralizing discourse which mitigates against socially-integrated approaches to health [155,168, 177,178]. While access to size acceptance practitioners can ameliorate the harmful effects of discrimination in health care for individuals, systemic change is required to address the iatrogenic consequences of institutional size discrimination in and beyond health care, discrimi- nation that impacts on people’s opportunities and health.
Compassion-focused behavior change theory emerging from the eating disorders field suggests that self-acceptance is a cornerstone of self-care, meaning that
people with strong self-esteem are more likely to adopt positive health behaviors
All of the controlled studies showed retention rates substantially higher than, or, in one instance, as high, as the control group, and all of the uncontrolled studies also showed high retention rates. Given the well-docu- mented recidivism typical of weight loss programs [5,27,28] and the potential harm that may arise [29,30], this aspect is particularly noteworthy.
Consider weight cycling as an example. Attempts to lose weight typically result in weight cycling, and such attempts are more common among obese individuals [62].
Weight cycling results in increased inflammation, which in turn is known to increase risk for many obe- sity-associated diseases [63]. Other potential mechan- isms by which weight cycling contributes to morbidity include hypertension, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia [64]. Research also indicates that weight fluctuation is associated with poorer cardiovascular outcomes and increased mortality risk [64-68]. Weight cycling can account for all of the excess mortality associated with obesity in both the Framingham Heart Study [69] and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) [70]. It may be, therefore, that the associa-tion between weight and health risk can be better attributed to weight cycling than adiposity itself [63].
Health is more than nutrition and activity: health is more than weight.
Term coined by Evelyn Tribole, Elyse Resche, authors of “Intuitive Eating”
UCLA Researchers reviewed 31 long terms studies on
dieting and concluded that dieting was a consistent
predictor of long term weight gain (Mann, 2007)
Study on 17000 children showed that dieting was not only
ineffective, it lead to weight gain (Field, 2003)
Teenage dieters have twice the risk of being overweight
compared to non dieters (Neumark-Sztainer, 2006)
IE is complimentary to mindful eating
“Babies push away food when they are full, toddlers know when they do not like something,” says Resch. “In- tuitive eating is about tapping back into that wisdom.”
Intuitive eating is an approach that teaches you how to create a healthy relationship with your food, mind, and body--where you ultimately become the expert of your own body. You learn how to distinguish between physical and emotional feelings, and gain a sense of body wisdom. It's also a process of making peace with food---so that you no longer have constant "food worry" thoughts. It's knowing that your health and your worth as a person do not change, because you ate a food that you had labeled as "bad" or "fattening”.
The underlying premise of Intuitive Eating is that you will learn to respond to your inner body cues, because you were born with all the wisdom you need for eating intuitively. Here is a summary of the 10 principles of Intuitive Eating, from Intuitive Eating, 3rd ed, 2012. With these principles, comes a world of satisfying eating and a sense of freedom that can be exhilarating!
The IE principles fall primarily within the internal system of the attunement model,
which consists of a person’s thoughts, feelings, and physiology (bodily sensations)
1, 3, 4, 8, thoughts
2,5,6,9,10 body
7 feelings
Hunger: taste hunger/ normal eating / practial hunger / emotional hunger
Acute ED patients are virtually the polar opposite of intuitive eaters
Tolerate risk. When beginning to heal both physically and psychologically, the person is better able to take and tolerate risks with eating. For some- one with anorexia, a risk may be sim- ply adding bread to a meal. Or for someone with bulimia it might be allowing and savoring ice cream.
“broken satiety and hunger meter in acute ED”
But can still work on greater
Acute ED patients are virtually the polar opposite of intuitive eaters
Tolerate risk. When beginning to heal both physically and psychologically, the person is better able to take and tolerate risks with eating. For some- one with anorexia, a risk may be sim- ply adding bread to a meal. Or for someone with bulimia it might be allowing and savoring ice cream.
“broken satiety and hunger meter in acute ED”
But can still work on greater