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Literature Review: Eating Disorders can Lead to Mental Health Problems

Sara Coy

California State University, Channel Islands

Health 499

Dr. Ashley Winans

5 March 2021
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Eating Disorders can Lead to Mental Health Problems.

Introduction

Eating disorders impact all genders, ages, races, and cultures. It does not matter whether

you are a 6’2 male or a 4’11female. Eating disorders come in variations, some people eat too

much while others do not eat at all. Detecting an eating disorder can be challenging and

complicated but with the right help it can be detected. Eating disorders will lead to self-image

distortions and mental health problems.

Different types of eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, and Binge eating are three types of eating disorders.

A person with Anorexia nervosa has difficulties in maintaining appropriate body weight for their

height, age, and stature. They also struggle with a distorted view of body image. People who

have anorexia nervosa restrict the number of calories and the types of food they eat. Typical

signs and symptoms of Anorexia nervosa are being considerably underweight compared to

people of similar age and height, very restricted eating patterns, in addition to an intense fear of

gaining weight. They have a persistent behavior in avoiding weight gain despite being

underweight and have a heavy influence of body weight or perceived body shape in addition to

poor self-esteem.

Bulimia nervosa is a cycle of bingeing and compulsory behaviors. People who have

bulimia nervosa frequently eat unusual large amounts of food. Some signs and symptoms are

weight loss, dieting, disappearance of large amount of food in a short period of time, frequent

trips to the restroom after meals, vomiting, and frequent use of laxatives or diuretics.

Binge eating disorder is recurring episodes of eating large quantities of food, sometimes

very quickly and to the point of discomfort. A person can feel a loss of control, experience

shame, distress, or guilt afterwards. Some signs and symptoms are eliminating entire food groups
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such as no sugar, carbs, dairy, fear of eating in public or with others, they can also steal or hoard

food. They may create a lifestyle to schedules time for binge sessions and withdraw from friends

and activities.

These three eating disorders have very similarly physical signs and symptoms such as

stomach cramps other non-specific gastrointestinal complaints, difficulties concentrating,

dizziness, feeling cold all the time, sleep problems, dry skin, dental problems, yellow skin,

impaired immune systems.

Myths

There are many myths about eating disorders. Some people believe it is a choice, and you

can tell the person to snap out of it. Those with the disease believe it is not a big deal, and they

do not see the signs or the problem. While others believe eating disorders behaviors only focus

on food, as well as the myth that “it’s a girl thing”. An eating disorder can develop in anyone,

regardless of socioeconomical background. The following list are truths about eating disorders:

1. Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill,

2. Families are not to blame and can be the patient’s provider and best allies in treatment.

3. An eating disorder diagnosis is a health crisis that disrupts personal and family

dynamics.

4. Eating disorders are not choices, but a serious biologically influenced illness.

5. Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and

weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic status.

6. Eating disorders carry an increased risk for both suicide and medical complications,

7. Genes and environment play important roles in the development of eating disorders.

8. Genes alone do not predict who will develop eating disorders.

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9. Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible.

Early detection and intervention are important” (Schaumberg et al. 2017). Knowing these

nine truths can help someone be more aware and understanding of an eating disorder. Having a

better understanding of the disease will allow for more awareness and help when needed.

A study on eating disorders was done in 2019 among 28 universities, the findings were

substantial eating disorders risk in participating students were high—nearly 60% of students

screened were identified as being at high risk for eating disorders or having an eating disorders

(Fitzsimmons et al. 2019). Some differences between the eating disorders groups were in

demographics, pathology, and risk factors. Universities can act in providing students with

resources such as counseling. Other studies done in 2020 concluded “people who wanted help

were mostly concern with “concern for others, self‐sufficiency, fear of losing control, denial, and

failure to perceive the severity of the illness. Stigma and shame also were concerns” (Ali et al.

2020). Eating diseases are not always a physical most of these diseases are mental. Having

different kinds of therapy such as talk therapy, meditation, time, inpatient or outpatient care and

appetence can help someone.

Anorexia and bulimia are two of the most common eating disorders. Resources for these

conditions may be difficult to find. Studies have shown that “anorexia and bulimia are

biologically based mental illnesses and should be treated with the same degree of health care as

other forms of serious mental illnesses” (Klump et al. 2009). Having treatment options and

resources available should be easy to find. It is important to keep in mind and understand that

relapse episodes can occur as a person struggles with treatment.  “Of the women presenting for

treatment of eating disorders, 65% also met the criteria for at least one comorbid anxiety

disorder. Furthermore, 71% of the women with comorbid anxiety disorder reported the onset of
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the anxiety disorder precedes the onset of the eating disorder” (Swinbourne et al. 2012).

Knowing what triggers someone to have a relapse can help in preventing it from happening in

the future. Creating an environment with a strong support system can prevent an episode or

relapse. 

Preventive measures

There are ways to prevent eating disorders from developing into a larger problem. In

Toronto, Canada there is a program called Athletes@Risk. Athletes@Risk “aims to educate

female sport participants as to the early establishment of good eating habits and training practices

in addition to developing positive self-esteem and a positive body image” (Thompson &

Trattner, 2010 p.185). Having a program to help athletes deal with the pressure of school, their

sport and overall health is beneficial in the long run. Female Athlete Triad Awareness and

Prevention Program “objectives are increasing awareness of the triad, risk factors, and triggers

for disordered eating” (Thompson & Trattner, 2010 p.185). Knowing the factors in triggering

relapse can help in the long run from preventing an episode.

Conclusion

While researching for this paper I came across several articles proclaiming there needs to

be more research on this topic to have a comprehensive understanding of eating disorders. I

found the findings in the research be consistent and supportive in the theory “eating disorders”

and “self-image” are related. Eating disorders do not discriminate against genders, ages, races, or

social economic means. It can impact anyone’s self-image. As self-image and body weight are

connected to our persona it is our mental health perception that can be skewed to believe

differently and become unrealistic.

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References

Ali, K., Fassnacht, D. B., Farrer, L., Rieger, E., Feldhege, J., Moessner, M., … Bauer, S. (2020).

What prevents young adults from seeking help? Barriers toward help‐seeking for eating

disorder symptomatology. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(6), 894–906.

https://doi.org/https://doi-org.summit.csuci.edu/10.1002/eat.23266

Fitzsimmons‐Craft, E. E., Balantekin, K. N., Eichen, D. M., Graham, A. K., Monterubio, G. E.,

Sadeh‐Sharvit, S., … Wilfley, D. E. (2019). Screening and offering online programs for

eating Disorders: Reach, pathology, and differences across eating DISORDER status

groups at 28 U.S. universities. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 52(10), 1125–

1136. https://doi.org/https://doi-org.summit.csuci.edu/10.1002/eat.23134

Klump, K. L., Bulik, C. M., Kaye, W. H., Treasure, J., & Tyson, E. (2009). Academy for eating

disorders position paper: Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses. International

Journal of Eating Disorders, 42(2), 97–103.

https://doiorg.summit.csuci.edu/10.1002/eat.20589

Schaumberg, K., Welch, E., Breithaupt, L., Hübel, C., Baker, J. H., Munn-Chernoff, M. A., …

Bulik, C. M. (2017). The Science Behind the Academy for Eating Disorders' Nine Truths

About Eating Disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 25(6), 432–450.

https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2553

Swinbourne, J., Hunt, C., Abbott, M., Russell, J., St Clare, T., & Touyz, S. (2012). The

comorbidity between eating disorders and anxiety disorders: Prevalence in an eating

disorder sample and anxiety disorder sample. Australian & New Zealand Journal of

Psychiatry, 46(2), 118–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867411432071

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Thompson, R. A., & Trattner, S. R. (2010). Eating disorders in sport. ProQuest Ebook

Central https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.summit.csuci.edu