Fourth Edition, September 2011

More Information
National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

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I 1
Eating Problems
Making a Diff erence: An Educators’ Guide to Child and Youth Mental Health Problems
www.cymhin.ca
Eating Problems
Eating is a basic human activity that everyone must undertake for energy and nutrition. When young 
people, especially young women, become so concerned with what they are eating that it interferes with 
their schooling, their social life, and their health, there is the possibility that they may have an eating dis-
order. Eating disorders are life-threatening conditions that should be assessed by an experienced mental 
health professional.
Eating disorders centre around a preoccupation with food, weight, and personal body image; they in-
clude 
anorexia nervosa
and 
bulimia nervosa
. Both are serious mental health disorders that can have life-
threatening consequences. Understanding the ‘warning signs’ helps teachers to support early interven-
tion for students at risk for eating disorders. Young people who have an eating disorder require medical 
and emotional support. 
An excellent resource for teachers on eating disorders is available to read or download through the BC 
Ministry of Education website at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/edi/welcome.htm.
Types of Eating Disorders 
Anorexia nervosa is self-starvation. Young people with this disorder intentionally deprive themselves of 
food, even though they may be very thin. They have an intense and overpowering fear of body fat and 
weight gain.
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by cycles of binge eating and purging, either by vomiting or taking laxa-
tives or diuretics (water pills). The young person has a fear of body fat even though their size and weight 
may be normal.
Overexercising is exercising compulsively for long periods of time as a way to burn calories from food that 
has just been eaten.
Binge eating involves eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, usually alone. The eating 
is often accompanied by feeling out of control and followed by feelings of depression, guilt, or disgust.