Student Health Center

Nutrition and Eating Disorders

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Nutrition
Diet Planning Guide
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating
Treatment of Eating Disorders

Nutrition

A well planned diet is:
 adequate, balanced, and controls calories.

Nutritional Guidelines
There are many nutritional guidelines that help individuals obtain good nutrition.

 Dietary Goals-The following percentages should be used to gain the adequate amounts of the energy yielding nutrients
   
 Energy Yielding Nutrient     Percentage of Daily Calories

Nutrition Label-The label is an important guideline found on food labels.  The information is based on a 2000 Kcalorie diet
Nutrition Facts that must be listed:

• Serving Size
• Servings per Container
• Amount per Serving for the Following: Calories, Calories from Fat, Total Fat, Cholesterol, Sodium, Total Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber, Sugars, Proteins
• Vitamin A and C
• Minerals: Calcium and Iron
• Percent Daily Values for all of the above nutrients
  Serving Size

Diet Planning Guides-

 These are an important part of Nutritional Guidelines.  The most well-known Diet Planning Guide is the Food Guide Pyramid.

Food Guide Pyramid- This is a guide that helps individuals understand how many servings of a variety of foods are needed each day.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans-there were recommendations made in 2000 that Americans are suggested to follow

A.   AIM FOR FITNESS
       * Aim for a healthy weight
       * Be physically active each day
        (Think about joining LeClub)

B.   BUILD A HEALTHY BASE
       * Let the pyramid guide your food choices
       * Eat a variety of grains daily
       * Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily
       * Keep food safe to eat

C.   CHOOSE SENSIBLY
       * Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol
         and moderate in total fat
       * Choose beverages and foods that limit your intake of
          sugars
       * Choose and prepare foods with less salt
       * If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are a serious disturbance in eating patterns or eating-related behavior, characterized by a negative body image and concerns about body weight or body fat.

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa- An eating disorder characterized by a refusal to maintain body weight at a minimally healthy level and an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.

Who it effects?- Anorexia Nervosa affects 1-3 million Americans.  95% of those affected are female.  Anorexia Nervosa can occur at any age but typically starts between the ages of 12 and 18.

Characteristics

• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat

• Distorted body image

• Use vigorous and prolonged physical activity to reduce body weight

• Express extreme interest in food

• May hid or hoard food without eating it

• Usually introverts or emotionally insecure people

Bulimia Nervosa- An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating and purging: overeating and then using compensatory behaviors such as vomiting and excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.

Who it effects?-Usually begins in adolescence or young adulthood, but the disorder is recently emerging at older ages.

Characteristics

• May consume 1,000 to 60,000 calories during a binge

• Binge followed by an attempt to get rid of the food by purging or using laxatives

• May appear normal in public

• Uncomfortable around food

• Binges usually occur in secret

• Binges may be caused by increased stress or a life changing event

Binge Eating- An eating disorder characterized by binge eating and a lack of control over eating behavior in general.

Characteristics

• Uncontrollable eating

• Eating is followed by feelings of guilt and weight gain

• Eating more rapidly than normal

• Eating until uncomfortably full

• Eating when not hungry

• Preferring to eat alone

Treatment of Eating Disorders
The treatment of eating disorders must address both problematic eating behaviors and the misuse of food to manage stress and emotions.

If you think you may have an eating disorder please, contact the Student Health Center, Student Counseling Center, or seek help from your family physician or local clinic in the area.