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Diet and Nutrition

Friend not eating

04/11/2003

Question:

I friend of mine has pretty much stopped eating on a regular basis. She`ll have the occasional piece of bread or what-have-you every few days or eat a meal when she`s forced to but that`s about it. She doesn`t fit into any of the well-known eating disorders so she claims she doesn`t have a problem. She claims she`s happier when she doesn`t eat (she has issues with her self-image and depression) and she refuses to realize that not eating is damaging to her health. She`s also partially doing it to `get back at her dad` for, I guess you`d call it emotional damage, that he`s caused her. So I guess my question is how can I convince her that it`s not healthy not to eat and what can I do to help her?

Answer:

Eating disorders are complex psychological disorders with many factors that contribute to their development. Therefore, eating disorders can be difficult to treat and require the help of a multidisciplinary team of professionals that includes a physician, psychologist, nurse, dietitian, and possibly others. Treatment is extremely important to develop a healthier attitude about food, eating, and body image and to minimize the physical and psychological effects. Anorexia nervosa may cause severe problems related to malnutrition such as loss of lean tissue, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalance, irregular heartbeat, impaired immunity, anemia, malabsorption, diarrhea, and eventually death. Many people may not meet all of the required criteria of an eating disorder, but do have certain characteristics of disordered eating such as restrained eating, binge eating, purging, and distortion of body image. It is important that these persons also seek treatment before the psychological problems worsen and a full-blown eating disorder develops. Denial is common among those with anorexia nervosa and few seek treatment on their own. Perhaps by showing your support and encouragement, your friend will seek treatment before the problem intensifies and causes severe medical complications that require hospitalization. For more information about eating disorders and referrals, you can visit the following web sites: www.anred.com or www.nationaleatingdisorders.org You can also find local eating disorder treatment centers in the Yellow Pages.

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Response by:

University of Cincinnati Bonnie J Brehm, PhD, RD
Professor of Nursing
College of Nursing
University of Cincinnati
Bonnie J Brehm, PhD, RD