3-28-06

Eating Disorders

The desire to be thin can sometimes lead to a life-and-death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.

About ten million females and one million males in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders, while striving to have thin bodies like models and movie stars. Dr. Shyam Bhat, assistant professor of internal medicine and psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says eating disorders may signal serious emotional and physical problems and can have life-threatening consequences. They are more common in young women, but people of all ages can be affected. He describes the two disorders.

SOUND BITE: "It is one of these psychiatric conditions or a psychological condition that can lead to a fairly dramatic and serious physical problems. You know, weight loss is one obvious problem in anorexia. People can also have metabolic, acid-based abnormalities of the blood because they are throwing up so much. Certain electrolytes like potassium can go down to the extent of being fatal."

Dr. Bhatt says patients with anorexia have an intense fear of weight gain or being “fat” and consider themselves to be overweight despite dramatic weight loss. Bulimia is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating and followed by purging. Dr. Bhatt explains some signs for parents to watch for in teenagers and young adults.

SOUND BITE: ". . . someone who has lost a lot of weight and seems to be preoccupied with the issues of weight and calories, food, how much fat they are eating. Also, frequent comments about over-weight, feeling fat, even though they’re not fat, is a clue. Exercising excessively, maybe using laxatives excessively, excessive chewing . . ."

If someone you know shows signs of a serious eating disorder, they should be seen by a primary care physician or mental health counselor for diagnosis and possible treatment.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.