Eating Disorders in Students

What is an eating disorder?

• Typically preoccupied with thinking about food, weight, and eating (Abraham, 2016).
• Comes in various shapes and sizes
• Is NOT always too skinny or too fat

Most common Eating Disorders, ED

• Anorexia Nervosa, AN
• Bulimia Nervosa, BN
• Binge Eating Disorder, BED
• Avoidant/Restrictive food intake disorder, ARFID
• (Palmer, 2015)

Anorexia Nervosa (AN)

• Preoccupation with achieving and maintaining a low weight
• An intense sustained control of body weight below what is appropriate
• A disturbance in the perception of body weight with associated low self-esteem
• Body weight is not the result of other medical disorders
• (Abraham, 2016)

Bulimia Nervosas (BN)

• Binge eating- consuming large amounts of food
• Feel the eating is out of control during binge
• Feels preoccupied with control of eating, body shape, and weight
• Employees potentially dangerous method controls
• Behaviors are not result of another condition
• (Abraham, 2016)

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

• Eating in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is defnitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar amount of time
• Sense of lack of control over eating
• Eating much more rapidly than normal
• Eating until uncomfortably full
• Eating large amounts of food, along because of embarrassment, feeling disgusted with ones self.
• (Palmer, 2015)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food INtake Disorder

• Also known as ARFID
• "extreme picky eating"
• 3 types of ARFID
• 1. Lack of interest- lack of interest in eating
• 2. Sensory avoidance- issues with taste, texture, temperature and smell
• 3. Fear of Aversive consequences- fear of illness, choking, nausea, and allergies
• (Center for Discovery, 2019)

Things to look for as a coach

• Excessive exercise
• Self-isolation
• Anger & hostility towards others, specifically in the locker room
• Interpersonal struggles
• (Schell, et al., 2021)

Things to look for in the classroom

• Self-isolation (Schell, et al., 2021)
• Interpersonal problems or problems making or keeping friends (Schell, et al., 2021)
• Changes in self-esteem (Abraham, 2016)
• Symptoms of anxiety or depression (Abraham, 2016)
• Excessive talk of weight, exercise and/or diet
• Obsession of body image (Abraham, 2016)

What do I do if a student has an eD?

• Contact school counselor- tatkinson@ccity.esc14.net or Room 101
• Learn about the eating disorder to help connect to the student
• Understand that the student will only recieve help when he/she is ready.
• Support the student through their recovery

How to contact counselor 'quick sheet' (Lerner, 2020)

How to contact counselor 'quick sheet' cont'd (Lerner, 2020)

What DOES THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR DO TO HELP?

• Identification of ED. The SC will help the student understand what an eating disorder is and how it originates.
• Consultation & Intervention-work with the student to identify the issues & possibly refer them to recieve help from licensed counselor
• (Carney & Scott, 2012)
• Ongoing counseling with the student through recovery process

HOW TO MODEL HEALTHY BEHAVIORS

• Positive self talk
• Eat well balanced meals
• Exercise regularly
• Encourage postive self-esteem in students
• No body shaming

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders https://anad.org/
• Contact information for local dietician- https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mata-shrode-171a059b
• Eating Recovery Center- https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/resourcs/recommended-websites
• National Eating Disorder Association- https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

References

• Abraham, S. (2016). Eating Disorders: The Facts: Vol. Seventh edition. OUP Oxford.
• Carney, J. M., & Scott, H. L. (2012). Eating Issues in Schools: Detection, Management, and Consultation With Allied Professionals. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90(3), 290–297. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2012.00037.x
• Center for Discovery. (2019). ARFID signs & symptoms. https://centerfordiscovery.com/conditions/arfid/

References

• Palmer, B. (2015). Helping People with Eating Disorders : A Clinical Guide to Assessment and Treatment: Vol. Second edition. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Schell, S. E., Banica, I., Weinberg, A., & Racine, S. E. (2021). Hunger games: Associations between core eating disorder symptoms and responses to rejection by peers during competition. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(5), 802–811. https://doi-org.easydb.angelo.edu/10.1002/eat.23487

References

• Lerner, S (2020). Student referrals to the school counselor key points to remember. Texas Education Agency.