Eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa present special challenges for physicians. Considerable skill and flexibility, as well as a collaborative spirit, are required to address the important physical, psychological, and social dimensions of these eating disorders. The ideal treatment is an individualized program designed to (1) eliminate the multifaceted effects of a body weight driven well below the biologic set point, (2) develop self-esteem, including a healthy attitude toward the body, and (3) strengthen those aspects of the individual and the family that orient the patient to health instead of illness.     

Eating Expectancies in Relation to Eating Disorder Recovery

This study examined the relation between eating expectancies, assessed via the Eating Expectancy Inventory, and eating disorder recovery. Individuals formerly seen for an eating disorder were categorized as having an active eating disorder (n = 53), as partially recovered (n = 15), or as fully recovered (n = 20). The expectancies of these groups were compared to each other and to 67 non-eating disorder controls. Results revealed that three of the five eating expectancies differed across groups. Non-eating disorder controls and fully recovered individuals endorsed similar levels of the expectancies that eating helps manage negative affect, eating is pleasurable and useful as a reward, and eating leads to feeling out of control. Partially recovered individuals looked more similar to active eating disorder cases on these expectancies. The other two expectancies did not differ across groups. Results provide some indication that certain eating expectancies may be associated with eating disorder recovery.     

Eating disorders

Primary care providers are increasingly confronted with managing patients with eating disorders. The management of these disorders can be challenging and requires a thorough knowledge of eating disorder assessment, medical complications, and advances in treatment.     

The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity and Eating Expectancy in Maladaptive Eating Behavior

Research has shown that anxiety sensitivity (AS), or the fear of somatic arousal, predicts distress and maladaptive coping in a range of psychiatric conditions. More recently, the role of AS has been examined in pathological eating. In the current investigation, a two-study design was employed to examine the role of AS and eating expectancies in both self-reported and actual eating behavior. For Study 1, 42 overweight/obese participants completed questionnaires assessing AS, as well as eating behaviors and attitudes. In Study 2, 60 participants representing all weight ranges completed the same questionnaire battery and underwent a negative mood induction task followed by food exposure. Results of this study revealed a 3-way interaction between Anxiety Sensitivity Index-mental concerns subscale, Eating Expectancy Inventory—eating leads to feeling out of control subscale, and BMI suggesting that those elevated on all 3 constructs consumed the most calories. Results are discussed in relation to better understanding the role of AS and eating expectancy and its utility in identifying a subset of overweight/obese individuals at risk for maladaptive eating behavior.     

Eating with intelligence

This article contains various reflections taken from the vast experience the author has about the influence culture, traditions and evolution bear on the act of eating, as a means to adopt the most adequate type of feeding habits in order to protect our health.     

Eating Away Pounds

Behavior modification techniques offer great promise for weight reduction. The system outlined here requires only five 20-minute periods of instruction before the patient applies the principles at home.     

Eating for recovery

Susan Holmes argues that prevention of hospital-related malnutrition should be a primary aim for nurses.     

Sociocultural Aspects of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders, though recognized for centuries, are increasing in prevalence. The increase in rate is particularly remarkable over the last 30-40 years. The article considers how social function stems from biological function and evolution, and how biological function may hamper social development to the detriment of individuals. Social and cultural influences relevant to this change are examined, especially the changing position of women within society as a whole and the multiplication of conflicting roles which women find themselves balancing. Reference is made to the representation of women in the arts and media. Reference is also made to the role of those external agencies which have historically controlled populations (both men and women), such as religious bodies and governments, but which to some extent have been rejected. Evidence from in-depth studies of women with eating disorders and from transcultural studies are included to support the authors' ideas     

Eating difficulties after stroke

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a common and enduring problem, producing a wide range of effects that may impact on all aspects of life. One area that has seldom been investigated is the effects of stroke on ability to eat and, particularly, stroke survivors' subjective experiences of eating-related difficulties. AIM: To investigate stroke survivors' reports of eating-related experiences 6 months after stroke. METHODS: Participants were 206 survivors of acute stroke who were admitted to hospital between March 1998 and April 1999. Those able to communicate and who gave informed consent participated in a semi-structured interview and assessment of eating abilities in their homes 6 months after their stroke. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed and 113 interviews with eating disabled participants were entered onto QSR NUD*IST 4 for thematic analysis. Analyses were later checked independently. FINDINGS: At 6 months, 34%, 61% and 5% had no, slight and moderate eating disablements, respectively. A range and variety of difficulties were discussed, but relationships between degrees of disablement and handicap were not straightforward; effects seemed more closely related to participants' responses than objective difficulties. Eating and related activities were clearly important aspects of life for these stroke survivors, socially and psychologically, as well as functionally. Prestroke activities were sometimes maintained, with considerable effort. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicated issues of relevance for those involved with early rehabilitation interventions and highlighted aspects of continuing care service delivery that warrant review. The relative lack of attention paid to eating-related aspects of care is an important oversight.