A whole range of issues may be behind the eating disordered choices of an individual. Eating disorders may begin as a way to smoke screen other concerns and may be a symptom of thoughts, behaviors and feelings over which the person does not feel control. These other concerns may be the catalysts for restricting caloric intake or for binge-purge cycles. Either of these can result in serious health problems and even death. Red flags for use in the early identification of eating disorders are as follows.
Anorexia Nervosa
- Loss of menstrual period
- Dieting with relish when not overweight
- Claiming to feel "fat" when not overweight
- Distorted body image
- Preoccupation with food, calories, nutrition and/or cooking
- Denial of hunger
- Excessive exercising, being overly active
- Frequent weighing
- Refusal to maintain weight expected for age and height
- Intense fear of gaining weight or being fat
- Strange food-related behaviors
- Complaints of feeling bloated or nauseated when eating normal amounts of food
- Intermittent episodes of "binge-eating"
Bulimia Nervosa
- Excessive concern about weight
- Strict dieting followed by eating binges
- Frequent overeating, especially when distressed
- Bingeing on high calorie, sweet food
- Expressing guilt or shame about eating
- Use of laxatives, over-exercising, enemas, diuretics, fasting and/or vomiting to control weight
- Leaving for the bathroom after meals (secretive vomiting)
- Being secretive about binges and vomiting
- Planning binges or opportunities to binge
- Feeling out of control
- Depressive moods
Help is available. Call the University Counseling Center at 501-279-4347.
RESOURCES
National Eating Disorders Association
Eating Disorder Referral and Information Service
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders
Food Addicts Anonymous
Phone: 561-967-3871
National Center for Overcoming Overeating
Phone: 212-875-0442
Overeaters Anonymous General Service Office
Phone: 505-891-2664; Fax: 505-891-4320
Information for 