Body imagine and disordered thoughts on eating among adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis
Introduction:
In order to orient the reader, the introduction will provide an overview of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and eating disorders in the general population. This will then be followed by a consideration of both physiological and psychosocial aspects that may offer insight into factors that may make individuals with CF more vulnerable to developing disordered eating thoughts and behaviors in CF.
Background to problem:
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disorder that is associated with respiratory and digestive problems and consequently inadequate nutrition and poor growth. Poor nutritional status has been associated with decreased survival rate in those with CF (Schechter, 2003). It is reported that 85% to 95% of individuals with CF have pancreatic maldigestion and malabsorption of nutrients, particularly of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins (Moen, Nilsson, Andersson, Fagerland, Fluge & Hollsing, 2011). Achieving and sustaining an ideal nutritional status and body weight is a vital part of the treatment of CF. Consequently, this may contribute to anxiety around food and weight, which are major characteristics of individuals with eating disorders (Johnson & DeSimone, 2013).
The management of nutrition hinges on the maintenance of body weight and therefore a high energy, high fat diet is prescribed. Oral pancreatic enzymes are taken with food to aid the absorption of nutrients. Malnutrition is managed with fat-soluble vitamins and oral feed supplements and/or where required, nocturnal enteral feeding. Some individuals with CF also develop CF-related diabetes which can add more nutritional failure due to the allied p...
... middle of paper ...
...hape and weight.
• The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of Anorexia Nervosa (Brownell & Fairburn, 2002).
ICD-10 Diagnostic criteria for Bulimia Nervosa:
• There are recurrent episodes of overeating in which large amounts of food are consumed in a short period of time.
• There is persistent preoccupation with eating, and a strong desire or sense of compulsion to eat.
• The patient attempts to counteract the “fattening” effects of food by one or more of the following:
1. Self-induced vomiting,
2. Self-induced purging,
3. Alternating periods of starvation;
4. Use of drugs such as appetite suppressants, thyroid preparations, or diuretics; when bulimia occurs in diabetic patients they may choose to neglect their insulin treatment.
• There is self-perception of being too fat, with an intrusive dread of fatness (Brownell & Fairburn, 2002).
Modern molecular genetics has given hopes and heartaches to thousands of people around the world. These people are looking towards gene therapy for an answer to their questions. To some people such as NIH director Harold Varmus the answer is a better understanding of basic genetic research and to others the answer is a cure, a hope, that their lethal disease will someday be cured. This essay touches on the background of gene therapy for Cystic Fibrosis (CF), current social and ethical issues facing gene therapy for CF, and some thoughts on the importance of this controversial subject.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease which weakens the lung. It is characterised by the development of thick mucus that blocks the lungs, intestines and other ducts or passageways which can cause breathing problems and infections. This mucus also prevents the intestines from properly digesting and absorbing nutrients, such as fat, protein, fat-soluble vitamins and certain minerals, from food which increases the frequency and severity of illnesses and infections, especially of the lungs. As a result, individuals with CF need to eat a diet that is high in calories, fat, protein and fat-soluble vitamin to compensate for this digestion issue. Additionally, extra calories and nutrients are needed to fight infections and keep the
Shapiro, C. M. (2012). Eating disorders: Causes, diagnosis, and treatments [Ebrary version]. Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/utdallas/Doc?id=10683384&ppg=3
There is argument about whether or not Anorexia can be incited by environmental factors and whether the occurrence of Anorexia is increasing at all. The article “Not Our Stars But Ourselves” stated, “Some of these causes may overlap with one another, but biomedical researchers are virtually unanimous that Anorexia has physical roots” (Schwarz). The article also question whether growing a...
Bauer, Barbara G. Ph.D., Wayne Anderson, Ph.D., and Robert W. Hyatt, M.D. Bulimia, Book for Therapist and Client. Indianapolis: Accelerated Development Inc., 1986.
Anorexia is a serious disorder that involves compulsive dieting and excessive weight loss. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, anorexia is characterized by emaciation, a relentless pursuit of thinness, and extremely disturbed eating behaviors (Parks, 2009). The “disturbed eating behaviors” associated with anorexia include unhealthy weight loss and weight control methods, behaviors such as abusing or self-induced vomiting, and a distorted view of one’s personal appearance (Shepphird, 2010). Anorexics in general survive on 500 calories or less per day, and they count every calorie they consume (Parks, 2009). Symptoms often also include the inability or refusal to maintain a healthy weight and a great fear of gaining weight (Shepphird, 2010).
Binge-eating disorder is defined as an eating disorder in which a person frequently consumes large amounts of food while feeling out of control and unable to stop. Almost everyone overeats every once in a while but for some people overeating crosses the line to binge-eating disorder and it becomes a regular occurrence. Many people who have this disorder may feel embarrassed about eating large amounts of food in front of others however the urge and compulsiveness of this disorder continues to affect their eating habits. Binge-eating disorder is estimated to affect approximately 1-5% of the general population and also tends to affect women slightly more often than men. Binge-eating disorder is often associated with symptoms of depression and people diagnosed with this may often express distress, shame, and guilt over their eating behaviors.
Anorexia nervosa usually begins in adolescence, but can develop at any time throughout one’s life. It...
...t, as the disorder is often a result in lacking in coping skills. Symptoms of binge eating include: eating more rapidly than usual, eating until uncomfortably full, eating large amounts when not physically hungry, eating alone because of embarrassment of the quantities of food consumed, and not being able to purge after consuming large quantities of food (Dobie 1). Because it is not always recognized as an eating disorder, compulsive over-eating may have the most adverse effects on health.
Bulimia nervosa is a slightly less serious version of anorexia, but can lead to some of the same horrible results. Bulimia involves an intense concern about weight (which is generally inaccurate) combined with frequent cycles of binge eating followed by purging, through self-induced vomiting, unwarranted use of laxatives, or excessive exercising. Most bulimics are of normal body weight, but they are preoccupied with their weight, feel extreme shame about their abnormal behavior, and often experience significant depression. The occurrence of bulimia has increased in many Western countries over the past few decades. Numbers are difficult to establish due to the shame of reporting incidences to health care providers (Bee and Boyd, 2001).
113-117. (1988) The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. Control of Appetite: Current Concepts in Nutrition, 16, 27-34; 82-83. Wurtman, J.J. and R.J. Wurtman, et al.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (2003) states, “People with anorexia starve themselves, avoid high-calorie foods and exercise constantly.” The person suffering from anorexia is abnormally sensitive about being fat or has a massive fear of becoming fat. Low self esteem and a constant need for acceptance commonly is seen in anorexics. Michel and Willard (2003) contend the most prevalent characteristic with this disorder is reduced calorie intake. The initial need to lose just a few pounds is somewhere forgotten and the cycle of the disorder takes over. Anorexic...
Many know binge eating as a disorder that causes people to eat a lot in a short period of time. According to the article, “Binge Eating Disorder,” which was written by Melinda Smith and Jeanne Segal, states that there are many symptoms of binge eating disorder. Many of the symptoms include the inability to stop or control what your eating, rapidly eating large amounts of food, eating when you’re full, and eating in secret (Smith and Segal). Those who suffer from binge eating disorder have a hard time to control their eating habits and when it becomes something they can no longer control they blame themselves for it. Binge eating often starts at an early age and leads to early adulthood and maybe even after that (Smith and Segal). There are many personal and emotional causes or symptoms to this disorder. Some of the symptoms involve feeling stressed or tensed that is only relieved by eating, never feeling satisfied, no matter how much you eat, and feeling disgusted, guilty, or even depressed after overeating (Smith and Segal). Although there are many causes and symptoms to developing a binge eating disorder, what many don 't know is that this can develop in both men and
The patient may no longer be able to orally take in food, and the artificial means of feeding may worsen the patient’s quality of life. The concept of food cessation is often difficult for the patient’s friends and family to understand and accept, especially because food is essential to life, and eating is a sociocultural experience. Family must be reminded that to feed the patient may do more harm than good. However, until the time that oral intake stops, nurses must be providing other ways to increase the patient’s nutrient intake. The performance of symptom assessments and the development of plans of care should begin at the time of diagnosis and continue throughout the remainder of the patient’s life. These assessments and plans of care are both critical to preventing the onset of early malnutrition and to maintaining the patient’s quality of
Eating disorders are a serious health problem. Personal Counseling & Resources says that eating disorders "are characterized by a focus on body shape, weight, fat, food, and perfectionism and by feelings of powerlessness and low self-esteem." Three of the most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating or compulsive eating disorder. According to Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, a person with anorexia "refuses to maintain normal body weight for age and height" and "weighs 85 percent or less than what is what is expected for age and height." A person diagnosed with bulimia has several ways of getting rid of the calories such as binge eating, vomiting, laxative misuse, exercising, or fasting. The person might have a normal weight for their age and height unless anorexia is present. The signs of a compulsive eater include eating meals frequently, rapidly, and secretly. This person might also snack and nibble all day long. The compulsive eater tends to have a history of diet failures and may be depressed or obese (Anred.com).