Anorexia Nervosa News and Research

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A person with anorexia nervosa, often called anorexia, has an intense fear of gaining weight. Someone with anorexia thinks about food a lot and limits the food she or he eats, even though she or he is too thin. Anorexia is more than just a problem with food. It's a way of using food or starving oneself to feel more in control of life and to ease tension, anger, and anxiety. Most people with anorexia are female. While anorexia mostly affects girls and women (85 - 95 percent of anorexics are female), it can also affect boys and men. It was once thought that women of color were shielded from eating disorders by their cultures, which tend to be more accepting of different body sizes. It is not known for sure whether African American, Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaska Native people develop eating disorders because American culture values thin people. People with different cultural backgrounds may develop eating disorders because it’s hard to adapt to a new culture (a theory called “culture clash”). The stress of trying to live in two different cultures may cause some minorities to develop their eating disorders.

Prevalence of eating disorders higher than previously thought

A new study shows that many American adolescents suffer from an eating disorder and struggle with related psychiatric disorders, including suicidal tendencies. The researchers write, “The prevalence of these disorders is higher than previously expected in this age range, and the patterns of [co-existing illnesses], role impairment and suicidality indicate that eating disorders represent a major public health concern.” Led by Sonja A. Swanson, of the National Institute of Mental Health, the research team reported the findings online March 7 in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

7 Mar 2011

Study reveals Facebook users may face risk of developing eating disorders

The same has been found with regard to exposure to music and fashion on the Internet, and to harmful programs on TV. The study also reveals that the risk of developing eating disorders in adolescent girls is moderated when there is more parental supervision over viewing habits.

8 Feb 2011

Scientists identify gene variants associated with eating disorder

Scientists at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have identified both common and rare gene variants associated with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa.

20 Nov 2010

Women with anorexia nervosa at risk of unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions

A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Norwegian researchers has found that women with anorexia nervosa are much more likely to have both unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions than women who don't have the serious eating disorder.

30 Oct 2010

Eating disorders negatively affect oral health

While the connection between oral health and systemic health has been well-established, what most people don't know is that dentists often are in a position to detect systemic conditions. According to an article published in the October 2010 issue of AGD Impact, the monthly newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), dentists may be the first health care providers to notice evidence of an eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and pica.

29 Oct 2010

Abbott to withdraw Meridia medicine from the U.S. market

Abbott will voluntarily withdraw Meridia (sibutramine) from the U.S. market at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

11 Oct 2010

Family based treatment more effective than traditional individual-based therapy for anorexia nervosa

An anorexia nervosa treatment strategy that promotes parental involvement in restoring an adolescent to healthy weight and eating habits is more effective than traditional individual-based anorexia nervosa therapy, according to new research.

5 Oct 2010

New SymPath kit measures DBH activity of Sympathetic Nervous System

Biotech Corporation in acquiring licenses to commercialize 12 Neuro-biomarkers has first focused on SymPath(R) and is now ready to give you the opportunity to shed some light about this Neuro-biomarker of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS). Here is a peak into the research behind the Neuro-blood testing that will be available to all patients through their health system.

4 Oct 2010

Abbott issues statement in response to FDA's mixed vote for weight loss medication sibutramine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today held an Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee to review the results of SCOUT and the weight loss medication sibutramine (sold as Meridia® in the United States).

16 Sep 2010

Study evaluates response to psychotherapeutical interventions in anorexia nervosa

This study demonstrates that the distinction between threshold and subthreshold anorexia nervosa does not seem to be of clinical relevance in terms of response to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Shape concern rather than demographic or general psychopathological features represents the best predictor of outcome for CBT.

31 Aug 2010

Fussy eating may be an “eating disorder” say researchers

Picky and fussy eaters are not just being difficult to please say U.S. researchers. They may be suffering from an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia. Soon the disorder is to have an official name and the American Psychiatric Association plans to call them “selective eaters”.

11 Jul 2010

Web sites that promote anorexia raise concern

For women with low self-esteem, poor body image and a certain genetic predisposition towards an eating disorder, the messages promoted on pro-eating disorder web sites can be similar to someone considering suicide finding a loaded gun on her pillow.

3 Jul 2010

Majority of older women seek help for eating disorders

Eating disorders are equal-opportunity offenders – crossing economic and cultural boundaries and leaping the borders of age and gender. For a long time thought to be diseases affecting teens and young women in their 20s, eating disorder treatment centers nationwide are seeing an increase in the population of older women seeking help for eating disorders.

25 Jun 2010

New book gives hope to women and families who are in difficult stages of anorexia treatment

Women and families struggling with an eating disorder or another addiction should never lose sight of the need to sustain the spirit, according to a new book by Jena Morrow, an author in recovery after more than 20 years with anorexia nervosa. Morrow, a behavioral health specialist at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, details a battle with anorexia that begins in early childhood in Hollow: An Unpolished Tale, recently released by Moody Publishers.

17 Jun 2010

Healthy relationship with food will lead to a better, more promising future for children

The first lady has kicked off a national campaign that charges young Americans to "get up and move," changing the life goals of the newest generation. While the campaign and message are a strong effort, a national epidemic can only be changed with a personal choice to live better. It all starts with one parent, one effort, to take the time to live healthier, to want your children to live healthier. It's more than the number on a scale; it's a way of life.

28 May 2010

Psychologists and neuroscientists study link between brain volume reduction and anorexia

A team of American psychologists and neuroscientists have found that adult brain volume, which can be reduced by Anorexia Nervosa, can be regained. The research, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, revealed that through specialist treatment patients with the eating disorder can reverse this symptom and regain grey matter volume.

26 May 2010

EDNOS categorization for young people needs to be reconsidered

Diagnostic cutoffs for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa may be too strict, a study from the Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital has found. Many patients who do not meet full criteria for these diseases are nevertheless quite ill, and the diagnosis they now receive, "Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified," may delay their ability to get treatment.

12 Apr 2010

Feelings of guilt and shame haunt mothers with eating difficulties

They would love to be perfect mothers. Instead, they feel ashamed and inadequate, and fearful that their children might inherit their eating difficulties.

18 Mar 2010

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital gearing up for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford is gearing up for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 21 – 27. The hospital's Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program is reaching out to Bay Area families to enhance knowledge of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and related diagnoses.

19 Feb 2010

APA releases proposed draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-5

The American Psychiatric Association today released the proposed draft diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The draft criteria represent content changes under consideration for DSM, which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health and other health professionals, and is used for diagnostic and research purposes.

10 Feb 2010