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Two new “potential eating disorders” have been in the news recently, and we here at EatingKids.com want to set the record straight.

1. Adult Selective Eating: People who strictly limit their diet to foods that tend towards childhood favorites. Some common preferences include plain pasta, cheese pizza and french fries. if you have a 5-year old, this may sound familiar. in fact, much like little kids, those with “Adult Selective Eating” tend to limit themselves to a narrow range of un-adventurous foods. Some have questioned whether this population just hasn’t outgrown childhood patterns, or if perhaps these eating habits are a new twist on obsessive compulsive disorder. unlike those who suffer from anorexia nervosa or bulimia, adult picky eaters are seemingly not worried about calorie counts or body image. Importantly, these people tend not to suffer very low body weight, and neither the short nor long-term consequences of this diet are understood.

2. Orthorexia: Identified in 1997 by Colorado physician Steven Bratman, MD, orthorexia is Latin for “correct eating.” Here, too, the focus isn’t on losing weight. Instead, sufferers increasingly restrict their diets to foods they consider pure, natural and healthful. those affected may start by eliminating processed foods, anything with artificial colorings or flavorings as well as foods that have come into contact with pesticides. beyond that, orthorexics may also shun caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, wheat and dairy foods. Some limit themselves to raw foods. Some researchers say that orthorexia may combine a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder with anxiety and warn that severely limited “healthy” diets may be a stepping stone to anorexia nervosa, the most severe – and potentially life-threatening – eating disorder. Credit to: Healthline, new Eating Disorders: are they for Real? By Lisa Collier cool, Apr 07, 2011, also see Time.com, Orthorexia: can Healthy Eating Be a Disorder? By Bonnie Rochman, Feb. 12, 2010

Let’s get a few things straight: first of all, despite the fact that these “disorders” have scientific-sounding names, neither one of these is yet officially included in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM), often considered the official “bible” of psychiatric diseases. several groups of disease experts debate high-quality research papers for years before settling on a name and clinical criteria that define a mental disease. At this point neither of these “phenomena” qualify as eating disorders.

Second, it is often true (but not always) that for a “condition” to rise to the state of a “disease” it must negatively affect the patient in regards to their achievement of expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational success. this is doctor-speak for, “If the patient’s experience is not hampering their personal life, school work or career then it is probably not a disease.” this is controversial, and some have suggested that for many people it is possible to achieve success in these pieces of one’s life while still suffering from a legitimate disease. all we can say for sure is that neither one of the aforementioned “diseases” seem to pose significant dangers to the physical health or lifestyle of those affected – although they may experience hidden anxiety.

Third, both of these really do seem to be symptoms of anxiety, or some form of coping mechanism, rather than an intrinsic disease. what we mean is, our belief is that both of these point to an underlying stress reaction, and that both seem to be reactions to – rather than the cause of – the stress in question.

NONE OF THIS should suggest that, for people who experience these symptoms, that they are somehow “bringing it on themselves,” or that they are simply “acting out.” if you or a loved one are truly “suffering” in similar circumstances then we must wish you the best and insist you seek out quality therapy.

We here at EatingKids.com hope you’ve learned a little about these recent “In the News” items. as always, if you have questions please do not hesitate to ask. Your contact info is held in confidence.

Michael Katz, MD, MSPresident, EatingKids.comEatingKids.com

Eating disorders are dangerous diseases that affect the physical and mental health. more and more people become victims of eating disorders today. a worrying fact is that eating disorders like anorexia (anorexia nervosa) and bulimia (bulimia nervosa) have high mortality rates. About ten percent of people with anorexia die of hunger and malnutrition.

People with anorexia often deny the facts of being confronted with a problem. They start by feeling constrained by their body weight and physical appearance and then eventually develop obsessions with food, weight and stay slim. Delivered to harmful behaviors, carefully cutting and restricting the amount of food they consume. People with anorexia have a false perception of body image, living with the constant feeling of being fat, although underweight.

Anorexia, like other eating disorders can be treated. However, in order to overcome the disease, people with anorexia need all the help they can get. although at first may reject any intervention from outside, it is important to encourage and to provide care and support. To prevent and overcome anorexia, is vital to keep an eye on their signs. If you suspect someone you know may be suffering from the eating disorder is very important to know the signs of anorexia.

The signs of anorexia are usually easy to identify because of the dramatic changes in physical appearance and behavior. the most obvious sign of anorexia is the body weight. most anorexics weigh much less than they should. People with anorexia are constantly worried about their weight, the amount of calories in their food and maintenance of crash diets. Anorexics tend to put food issues and body weight in the discussion in every conversation. Sometimes they do not know, because of their need to express their obsessive thoughts, worrying.

Other signs of anorexia include excessive physical activities like running and work outs. in addition, people with anorexia tend to shut out the world and refuse to participate in many activities because of his skin to be fat and disgusting. pulses of anxiety, agitation and even violent are also signs of anorexia.

Women and girls suffering from anorexia irregular menstrual periods. Low body weight and menstrual problems or infertility are signs of anorexia in girls.

Anorexics often have unpredictable reactions and jump quickly from one mood to another. May appear to be relaxed and calm at a time, while the next moment may burst into tears. Emotional instability is both a sign of anorexia.

Other signs of anorexia are unusual hair loss, internal disturbances, such as stomach aches, burns, constipation, migraines, low blood pressure, unstable body temperature, heart problems and dehydration.

Note that in order to avoid more harm anorexic itself should quickly detect the presence of the disease, paying attention to the signs of anorexia.

I constantly think about food (all the time) and I am not very happy with the way my body looks. I am VERY picky about what I eat.
My doctor thinks I want attention, but that is not the case.
So I guess what I am asking is:
Is it possible to currently be at a somewhat healthy weight, and have an eating disorder?
Please help!!!!

maybe not a eating disorder but a body image disorder? if you eat and keep it down thats not really a eating disorder. Its ok to be picky with what you eat–you know what you like. anyone can have a eating disorder.

yes it's very possible. you do not have to be underweight to have an eating disorder, believe it or not, most ppl who have issues with this are at a normal weight or over weight and u would never even think that they have an eating disorder.

Anorexia means to be deliberately starving yourself. You don't mention anything about that in your list of symptoms.
Picky is as picky does (do you refuse to eat mean because it's stringy or what?)
I used to be very slender because of stress in my life. I've dealt with the stress and gained weight sufficiently to the point where I am within 5 lbs of my maximum healthy weight (I'm 5'2" and weigh 134). I definitely don't starve myself, although when I've eaten to the point of fullness, I stop. Period.
I agree with your doc . . . you're looking for attention. be careful what you wish for-you could get it-in spades.

You could have a obesession about being fat. go to some support groups and also some therapy to help you deal with what you are going through. I think your weight is fine and you are obsessing because so many models obsess over being to heavy. Best Wishes!

Girls who begin menstruating before they are 12 years old show more symptoms of depression than those who get their periods later, a new British study says.

Researchers at the University of Bristol, located 190 km west of London, reviewed the cases of 2,184 girls who are part of a long-term study known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

The average age girls in the study got their periods was 12 years and six months.

The researchers found the girls who began manstruating before the age of 11.5 had the highest levels of depressive symptoms by the ages of 13 and 14, while girls who got their periods later had the lowest levels.

“Our study found that girls who mature early are more vulnerable to developing depressive symptoms by the time they reach their mid-teens. This suggests that later maturation may be protective against psychological distress,” lead researcher Dr. Carol Joinson said in a release about the study.

“The transition into puberty is a critical developmental period, associated with many biological, cognitive and social changes. These can include increased conflict with parents, the development of romantic relationships, changes in body image and fluctuating hormone levels. These changes may have a more negative impact on girls who mature at an early age than those who mature later. Early maturing girls may feel isolated, and faced with demands which they are not emotionally prepared for.”

Joinson said knowing this could lead to developing school and family-based programs to help young girls deal with depression symptoms.

The study appears in the January issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry.

Sunday, December 19, 2010. 19/12/2010 – 17:36:37 The Crisis Pregnancy Programme is warning Christmas revellers to use protection during the festive season. The group says the first three months 2010 was its busiest time, with more women attending crisis pregnancy services for help. Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, acting director, said: “Each year, crisis pregnancy counselling services see an increased level of clients at the start of the year, so it’s vital that people are aware of the risks associated with unprotected sex.”. Throughout December, programme staff have been handing out Think Contraception protection packs, containing information and condoms, in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny and Galway.Sunday, December 19, 2010. we are the Real Deal. Body Image, Eating Disorders, Wellness, Weight Loss, Fat Acceptance, Kids amp; Food Revolution. Home / Body Image / Featured / The MILF, her Post-Pregnancy Body, and Existential Angst. It’s hard to get through a week without reading about a celebrity who has recently given birth and—ta dah.—dropped all those pesky pounds to get her pre-baby body back.Continue reading next page. Environmental factors can change the genes of a fetus, leading to illness later in childhood. When a pregnant woman takes Acetomeniphen (Tylenol) or is exposed to tobacco smoke, spray cleaners or pesticides, her fetus has a greater chance of devloping atopic asthma within a few years. Nonatopic asthma, wheezing, and shortness of breath is often diagnosed starting at age 3 or even up to age 8. a series of recent studies indicate that the disease is strongly related to environmental factors during pregnancy.