Eating Disorders: Using Technology for Prevention & Intervention

iKeepSafe supports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) mission to prevent unhealthy behavior through reducing factors that increase risk, and increasing factors that promote resilience. We endorse their commitment to accomplish prevention through “all levels of  influence: individual, relationship, community, and societal” [1]. We hope to empower parents, educators, and mentors to use technology as a tool for identifying risk and promoting resilience within their own communities.

Eating disorders are a major concern for many parents and adults who work with youth. According to national statistics, about 3% of children will develop an eating disorder between ages 13-18 [2]. Young people can take extreme precautions to hide an eating disorder from their parents and peers. However, the online world often provides an environment where youth feel comfortable leaving digital “bread-crumbs” or indicators of their well-being. Comments and emotions young people would never express in face to face communication, are easily articulated in the quasi-anonymous and disconnected environment of a blog or Facebook and Twitter.

At-risk youth may also leave an internet history that reveals an interest or even a fixation on being thin, as in “pro-ana” (pro-anorexic), “pro-mia” (pro-bulimia), or “thinspiration,” blogs and websites. Red beaded bracelets are often worn to self-identify as being pro-ana (blue bracelets for pro-mia) and as a motivator not to eat.

If parents and mentors are aware of the risk factors and warning signs associated with eating disorders, connected technology can help them take an active role in promoting healthy behavior and intervening in dangerous situations.

Risk Factors

• Gender—85-95% of anorexia and bulimia patients are female [3].
• Age.  Eating disorders can develop at any age, but ages 12-25 are when most disorders begin [4].
• Family history of eating disorders.
• Family chaos, overly critical parents/siblings, teasing.
• Emotional disorders.
• Dieting.
• Transitions (e.g. moving, going to college, new job, breakup)
• Sports and artistic activities. (e.g. ballerinas, gymnasts, runners, wrestlers, models, actors). [5]

Warning Signs

Risk factors indicate a possibility of high-risk behavior. But, if a young person is already struggling with an eating disorder, they may exhibit specific red-flag behaviors. The Mayo Clinic lists the following as warning signs for bulimia and anorexia:

Bulimia:

• Persistent worry or complaining about being fat.
• Repeatedly eating unusually large quantities of food in one sitting, especially high-fat or sweet foods.
• Not wanting to eat in public or in front of others.
• Use of dietary supplements or herbal products for weight loss.
• Excessive exercising.
• The use of laxatives or diuretic medications. [6]

Anorexia:

• Skipping meals.
• Making excuses for not eating.
• Eating only a few certain “safe” foods, usually those low in fat and calories.
• Adopting rigid meal or eating rituals, such as cutting food into tiny pieces or spitting food out after chewing.
• Cooking elaborate meals for others but refusing to eat.
• Repeated weighing of themselves.
• Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws.
• Complaining about being fat.
• Not wanting to eat in public. [7]

Many young people with eating disorders manifest these warning signs online. For example, a 15-year old girl may begin listing all the foods she eats (and doesn’t eat) with calorie counts on her blog. Or your 12 year-old daughter’s friend may post comments complaining about being fat or listing all her perceived body flaws. Or, your student may brag on Facebook about skipping meals.

It’s essential for parents and adults who work with children to be aware of the risk factors and warning signs because the success rate for recovery is significantly increased if the eating disorder is diagnosed early. [8]

Upstander Action

Reduce Risk Factors
Do not discuss children’s bodies in a negative manner, and never make teasing comments about a child’s weight or body shape. If you witness a child being cyberbullied about their body—intervene (report the abuse, talk to the bully, talk to parents, talk to the victim).

If you suspect a child may be particularly susceptible to an eating disorder because of other risk factors, discourage him or her from participating in high-risk sports and activities like wrestling or gymnastics.

Whenever possible, help young people develop healthy coping skills to deal with transitions and stress.

Increase Factors for Prevention
Model healthy eating habits and body image perception Encourage others to do the same. Organize educational events for girls which will prepare them to identify unhealthy eating tendencies and promote healthy eating/body image.

Encourage young people to express their emotions and articulate sources of stress. If appropriate, provide a counselor or professional therapist for a child at risk.

Involve children in sports and activities that create a sense of empowerment and do not encourage eating disorders (e.g. karate, soccer, basketball, swimming).

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, August 24). Suicide: Prevention Strategies. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/suicide/prevention.html
2. National Institute of Mental Health. (2010, July 29). Eating Disorders Among Children. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1EAT_CHILD.shtml
3. National Institute of Mental Health. (2010, August 24). Eating Disorders. Retrieved from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml
4. Mayo Clinic. (2009, December 12). Anorexia Nervosa. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anorexia/DS00606/DSECTION=causes
5. Mayo Clinic. (2010, January 15). Eating Disorders: Risk Factors. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eating-disorders/DS00294/DSECTION=risk-factors
6. Mayo Clinic. (2010, February 23). Bulimia Nervosa: Symptoms. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bulimia/DS00607/DSECTION=symptoms
7. Mayo Clinic. (2009, December 19). Anorexia Nervosa: Symptoms. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anorexia/DS00606/DSECTION=symptoms
8. Mayo Clinic. (n.d). Eating Disorders. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/eating-disorders/