Eating disorders and weight control

Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, including unhealthy reduction of food intake, severe overeating and/or dangerous methods to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting. Severe eating disorders may result in serious health consequences including death.

Patients can be diagnosed with an eating disorder at any age, but they most often develop during adolescence and young adulthood. More women than men are diagnosed with eating disorders.

The most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Other, less common types of eating disorders include pica and rumination disorder.

In addition, some patients may have an eating disorder that does not fit the criteria for any of the recognized eating disorders. In such cases, a diagnosis known as “eating disorder not otherwise specified” (EDNOS) may be made.

The exact cause of eating disorders is not known, but they are believed to result from a combination of genetic, psychological and environmental factors. Most recently, researchers are studying the possibility of biochemical or biological causes for the development of eating disorders. Some patients with eating disorders exhibit imbalances in certain chemicals in the brain that control hunger and appetite.

Patients with eating disorders frequently have other types of mental health disorders including depression, Depression comes in many forms, from mild sadness to a mood disorders such as major depression.anxiety disorders (e.g., obsessive-compulsive disorder) and substance abuse. They often exhibit symptoms including an excessive preoccupation with food, extreme unhappiness or concern about body shape and size, menstrual irregularities, excessive exercise routines and chronic fatigue.

Eating disorders are usually diagnosed after a physical examination, including a complete medical history. The physician may check the patient’s vital signs and perform tests (e.g., blood tests) to rule out medical conditions that may be causing symptoms. The physician may also ask about the patient’s history of dieting and/or eating patterns. Once an eating disorder is diagnosed, a physician may refer the patient to a mental and/or behavioral health specialist (typically a psychiatrist) for further evaluation and treatment.

Due to their complex nature, eating disorders usually require a comprehensive treatment plan including medical care and monitoring of health complications (e.g., malnutrition, obesity), psychotherapy and dietary counseling by a nutritionist.

Receiving support from family members and friends is important because often patients with eating disorders are in denial and resist treatment, believing they do not need help.

The outlook for patients with eating disorders is generally favorable with early treatment.

Low calorie-dense food reduce weight

You can feel less hungry and deprived on a diet by eating low calorie-dense food. Foods principally made up of water or air, such as fruits, veggies, yogurt, soups and popcorn, are typically low in calorie. Another option is to include a source of healthy fat, which will significantly slow down the digestion process, making your tummy satisfied for much longer.

The first trick is stocking up on foods that contain a lot of water or air, such as vegetables, soups and popcorn. Much maligned popcorn is actually a relatively healthy snack — just make sure it's air-popped and not bathed in butter. Other suggestions include eating warm broth-based soups and making vegetables the main feature of a mini meal. Try these tips.

• Replace regular spaghetti with spaghetti squash, and top it with a lean turkey Bolognese sauce (protein) and parmesan (a little fat).
• Dress up popcorn with cinnamon, which is proven to reduce sugar cravings by regulating blood-sugar levels.
• Pair a protein or a healthy fat such as string cheese, hummus, yogurt or nuts with a selection of crudites to ensure staying power.
• Give pre-made soups a boost by tossing in chopped veggies..

5 Superfoods for Weight Loss

Some foods make it really difficult to lose weight. They create their own self-sustaining cravings ("Betcha can't eat just one!") and play havoc with your blood sugar and, ultimately, your waistline. But other foods do just the opposite. You might have heard that certain foods can help you shed pounds. It's true! Here are some other tasty options that will fuel you up and generate weight loss. Make these foods a part of your daily diet and watch the pounds come slipping off.

1) Grapefruit. Ever tried the grapefruit diet? Turns out there may be some good research to back up grapefruit's reputation as a fat fighter. In a 2004 study at the Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California, researchers investigated the effect of grapefruit on weight loss and found that eating half a grapefruit before a meal can actually help people drop weight. The researchers studied the effect of grapefruit capsules, grapefruit juice and real grapefruit. All three seemed to help, but the folks eating the real grapefruit got the best results. The mechanism isn't completely understood, but the results speak for themselves. As an added benefit, grapefruit contains cancer-fighting compounds like liminoids and lycopene, and red grapefruit has been shown to help lower triglycerides. And half a grapefruit has only 39 calories.

2) Sardines. Sardines might just be one of the greatest health bargains of all time, and they're a boon to anyone wanting to lose weight. First of all, sardines are loaded with protein, which helps stabilize blood sugar, makes you feel full and helps stimulate metabolism. Second, they're a great source of omega-3s, which not only strengthen the cardiovascular system but also are helpful in boosting mood. (And when you're in a good mood, you tend to crave less junk food!) Third, sardines are convenient, easy to find and cheap. And because they're very low on the food chain, they're remarkably free of contaminants, such as mercury and heavy metals.

3) Pumpkin. You may know this vegetable for its central role in Thanksgiving celebrations, but it's also one of the greatest weight-loss foods ever. Plain old canned pumpkin is absolutely loaded with fiber and has a mere 40 calories. Dozens of studies confirm that high fiber intake is associated with a host of health benefits, including weight management. Pumpkin is also among the easiest food in the world to prepare. You can sweeten it with your favorite low or 0-calorie sweetener, sprinkle it with blood-sugar-lowering cinnamon and nutmeg for good measure, throw in some healthy almonds and make it one of the best tasting weight-loss treats around. It's filling and delicious.

4) Grass-Fed Beef. Meat is a great diet food -- if it doesn't contain antibiotics, steroids and hormones. Eat grass-fed beef and avoid the health concerns that go along with eating meat while getting all the terrific benefits. Buffalo burgers are a good alternative if you can't find grass-fed beef. High-protein diets are associated with weight loss for a variety of reasons: Protein stimulates metabolism, helps you feel full longer and helps decrease the desire to overeat. Grass-fed beef has a high omega-3 content, giving you multiple health benefits into the bargain.

5) Green Tea. This natural weight-loss stimulant might not be a food, but green tea is still a great slimming solution, not to mention that it's rich in antioxidants, promotes heart health, aids digestion and regulates blood sugar and body temperature. It raises the metabolic rate and speeds up fat oxidation, thus helping people lose weight. Drink it daily to boost your metabolism. Some research has shown that five cups a day is the magic number for fat loss. As an added benefit, the theanine in green tea is also a great natural de-stressor.