WEIGHT/EATING CONCERNS

What is disordered eating?

Disordered eating may include symptoms and behaviors of eating disorders, but is used to describe a range of irregular eating behaviors that may or may not warrant an actual diagnosis. Disordered eating is a descriptive phrase and not a diagnosis. Types of eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia, and those are identified with criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5).

Disordered eating may include restrictive eating, eating compulsively, emotional eating, or irregular or inflexible eating patterns.

Other behaviors that may be present in a person engaging in disordered eating include:

• Fasting or skipping meals
• Binge eating

• Avoiding a type of food or food group
• Self-induced vomiting
• Laxative, diuretic, enema misuse
• Using diet pills

What causes weight/eating concerns and why are disordered eating patterns increasing in prevalence?

There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Biology, genetics, environment and social factors all play a part.

Dissatisfaction with body weight or shape is the primary contributing factor of disordered eating behaviors among adolescents and young adults. As a society, we place a significant emphasis on weight and appearances. Also, research has suggested that the use of social media (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) may influence the eating behaviors of children and adolescents, leading to an increased prevalence of eating disorders.

However, we also are an increasingly busy society that depends more on convenient and more readily available foods, like fast food or eating out. Additionally, the emotional stressors placed on individuals may result in using food as a coping mechanism. As a result, we are seeing an increase in binge eating, emotional eating, as well as a rise in obesity rates.

Why doesn't CAYA Care provide therapy for anorexia nervosa or more severe eating disorders?

Eating disorders, like Anorexia Nervosa, are serious and often fatal conditions associated with severe disturbances in eating behavior/pattern.

Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and other eating disorders require significant care, including medical care to monitor nutritional deficiencies and physical functioning.

Similarly, we know that individuals with AN may benefit from more intensive therapy like residential treatment or intensive outpatient programs. Because we cannot provide the close monitoring and medical care to these individuals, we do not want care to be compromised.

We are happy to provide referrals to other eating disorder treatment facilities in the country if interested.

What treatment options are available at CAYA Care for myself or my family?

If you are worried about you or your child who is yo-yo dieting or has started to demonstrate a pre-occupation with weight or appearance OR if you or your child are worried about emotional eating, we are happy to speak with you. We have seen individuals and families who we have worked with make great healthy lifestyle changes.

If you are interested in talking with one of our providers about weight/eating concerns, please call (470) 610-0414 to speak with one of our providers. We look forward to working with you!