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Eating Disorders Research

Eating Disorders: Research


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1. Women suffering from eating disorders draw different self image

Women suffering from bulimia or anorexia draw themselves differently than women who maintain normal weight and are not affected by eating disorders of any sort, says a latest research. The study was conducted by the University of Haifa in conjugation with Israel-based Achva Academic College. The research sheds light on how women likely to develop eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, can easily be diagnosed with a non-intrusive drawing assessment. A sum total of seventy-six women took part in the study. Of them thirty-six turned out be bulimic or anorexic. Twenty women classified as overweight did not have eating disorders. The remaining twenty were not only free from eating disorders but were also found weighing normal. Each of those who participated filled two questionnaires before being asked to draw a self-image. The research team did not set any limitations or guidelines for the drawing. The feet, thighs, mouth and neck were four areas that women with eating disorders tended to concentrate on. In each of the pictures, women who had bulimia and anorexia deviated from their normal features to draw something extra-ordinary that did not match with the original profiles.

Via:ย http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110214102124.htm

2. Obesity prevention programs likely to promote unnatural and worrisome behavior in kids

Thirty percent of parents who participated in a recent study reported that children had developed worrisome behavior which they feared were linked to eating disorders. The study examined the association between school-based programs for obesity prevention and the rise in eating disorders among adolescents and young children. Participants were asked questions about obesity related prevention programs in the respective schools of their children and certain eating behaviors that looked worrisome to them. Eighty-two percent of parents with children in the age group of eight to fourteen years reported at least one case of childhood obesity prevention program taking place in the school to which their child went.

Via:ย http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124151207.htm

3. Brain cannabinoid deficits associated with eating disorders

A recent report that appeared in biological psychiatry claims that endocannabinoid function deficiency contributes to problems like bulimia and anorexia nervosa. Endocannabinoid is a substance produced by the brain that affects brain chemistry in a way which resembles cannabis derivative effects, including hashish and marijuana. These drugs are known for increasing appetite. Hence, there is hardly any reason why brain system deficits will not reduce appetite. In arriving at the results, researchers got the status of endocannabinoid system measured. They did so by detecting whether endocannabinoid receptors underwent an increase or decrease in density. Next, the densities in women suffering from bulimia or anorexia were compared to those free from the disease.

Via:ย http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111031115226.htm

4. Eating disorders linked to fertility and pregnancy issues

According to findings published in BJOG, a leading science journal, there is a close association between eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia and fertility problems. The study further revealed that women with an anorexia background were more prone to unplanned pregnancies than those without. The findings suggest that these women probably were overlooking their chances of getting pregnant. The research, conducted by a team from UCL and Kingโ€™s College London, included a group of close to 11,000 pregnant women. The participants were asked to fill up questionnaires at eighteen and twelve weeks gestation. Women who had suffered from anorexia all their lives were compared with the whole group to analyze the exact impact of eating disorders on attitude towards pregnancy and fertility.

Via:ย http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110802201834.htm

5. Patients suffering from eating disorders more prone to death

Individuals with eating disorders tend to have an increased mortality rate. The trend is more prominent among people with anorexia nervosa, says a latest research. In a piece of background information shared by the research team it was said that eating disorder related researches focus mostly on anorexia nervosa. The study conducted by researchers at the Leicester General Hospital analyzed, assessed and searched studies focusing on deaths resulting from eating disorders. The team found evidence of 755 deaths from such disorders in a group that included a sum total of 17,272 patients. However, the team fully acknowledges the fact that a few deaths shown in the research paper may have occurred due to reasons other than eating disorders.

Via:ย http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110704174620.htm

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