Eating Behaviors At Anorexia Nervosa - 1416 Words

Mayer, Schebendach, Bodell, Shingleton, Walsh (2012) completed a study to learn more about eating behaviors in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) patients before and after the patients with AN were able to stabilize their weight, which means the act of keeping their weight from fluctuating. â€Å"Anorexia Nervosa is a psychiatric illness that is characterized by low weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and the fear of fat; as core symptoms of this illness, these fears lead to significant dietary restriction and weight loss† (p. 290). Eating behaviors are any behaviors in relation to eating that may be uncharacteristic: restricting (limiting what they eat), binging (indulging, or eating excessively), and purging (getting rid of or removing food by†¦show more content†¦Ideal body weight is the weight that doctors believe to be the healthiest for a person based mostly on height, as well as factors such as gender, age, build, and muscle development. In women, the average norma l BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, which is why Mayer et al. used 19.5 as a starting point. Mayer et al. also studied the healthy control group twice, approximately two to three months apart. Treatment for the AN patients was to normalize weight and create proper eating patterns in a structured behavioral program. AN patients had their weight monitored and checked weekly, and had to gain at least one kilogram per week. â€Å"The AN patients’ had to intake a certain amount of calories each day, beginning at 1800 kcal per day. Every other day, the AN patients’ intake increased by 400 kcal until the AN patients finally reached a total of 3000 kcal/day in food and 720 kcal/day in nutritional supplements like Ensure Plus† (p. 291). The weight gain phase continued until the AN patients reached ninety percent of their ideal body weight. The study took place at lunchtime in the laboratory with a meal consisting of twenty-five food items placed in a buffet style. These food items included grilled chicken, fried chicken, French fries, salads, chocolate bars, ice cream, and bread, along with other