Wolf Administration Committed to Raising Eating Disorders Awareness

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the Wolf Administration is heightening awareness and understanding surrounding the issue. Through increasing public education, the Departments of Health and Department of Human Services hope to help Pennsylvanians with eating disorders and their families receive adequate treatment and services to live a healthy, happy life.

"Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are serious illnesses that can have significant, sometimes irreversible medical complications," said Dr. Rachel Levine, Acting Physician General, Pennsylvania Department of Health. "Early recognition and aggressive treatment are critical to a successful recovery."

According to the National Eating Disorder Association, it is common for eating disorders to occur with one or more other psychiatric disorders, which can complicate treatment and make recovery more difficult. Among those who suffer from eating disorders: alcohol and other substance abuse disorders are four times more common than in the general populations, depression and other mood disorders co-occur quite frequently, and there is a markedly elevated risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

"Eating disorders are real and complex mental health issues that impact so many Pennsylvanians. People struggling with an eating disorder need to seek professional help," said Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Ted Dallas. "The sooner a person seeks treatment, the greater the likelihood of physical and emotional recovery."

In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some point in their life, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or an eating disorder not otherwise specified.

"Community awareness is vital to helping individuals who are afflicted with an eating disorder. We have to bring this issue out of the shadows so more people know how to get or provide help," said Dr. Karen Murphy, Acting Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Health. "Providing our state's residents with accurate information about eating disorders can be the difference between life and death for a loved one."

There are several health consequences, including mortality.

Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. In the cycle of self-starvation, the body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally. Thus, the body is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy, resulting in:

• Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing. The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower.
• Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones.
• Muscle loss and weakness.
• Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.
• Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
• Dry hair and skin; hair loss is common.
• Growth of a downy layer of hair—called lanugo—all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm.

Bulimia's recurrent binge-and-purge cycles of can affect the entire digestive system and can lead to electrolyte and chemical imbalances in the body that affect the heart and other major organ functions. Health consequences include:

• Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.
• Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration and loss of potassium, sodium and chloride from the body as a result of purging behaviors.
• Potential for gastric rupture during periods of bingeing.
• Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting.
• Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting.
• Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse.
• Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis.

Binge eating disorder often results in many of the same health risks associated with clinical obesity, including:

• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol levels.
• Heart disease as a result of elevated triglyceride levels.
• Type II diabetes mellitus.
• Gallbladder disease.

This year's national theme, "I Had No Idea," will raise awareness towards the significant impact eating disorders have on individuals, families, and communities across the nation.

"Increased awareness and understanding of the issue are imperative. The more people who learn about these life-threatening illnesses, the more lives we can save," stated Dallas.

To take an eating disorder screening visit www.mybodyscreening.org.

Media contact:          
Kait Gillis, DHS, 717-425-7606
Holli Senior, DOH, 717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health

Related Links

http://www.mybodyscreening.org/