Search results for ‘Subject term:"eating disorders"’ Sort:
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Eating disorders are not just a problem for the young
- Author:
- TAYLOR Frances
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 12(3), September 2008, pp.31-33.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
An increasing number of older people are being diagnosed with eating disorders. The author, from the British Dietetics Association's Nutrition Advisory Group for Elderly People explores some of the reasons why this might be the case.
Information processing of food cues in overweight and normal weight adolescents
- Authors:
- SOETENS Barbara, BRAET Caroline
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Health Psychology, 12(2), May 2007, pp.285-304.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Based on cognitive theory (CT), the aim of this study is to investigate the cognitive processing of food cues in clinically overweight adolescents. Eighty-seven (45 overweight, 42 normal weight) adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years were examined. All completed an imbedded word task (IWT), containing high caloric food words and matched control words, as a measure of attention interference. A free-recall task was used to detect explicit memory biases. To study the effects of cognitive avoidance, participants were instructed to suppress thoughts about food or merely to monitor them, prior to completing the IWT and memory task. No evidence was found for interference in the attention processing of food cues. Also, no effects of thought suppression were found. However, consistent with hypotheses, the overweight adolescents did show an explicit memory bias for food stimuli, not due to a more general negative evaluation of food words. The results provide at least partial support for the applicability of CT to adolescent obesity. The study was the first to reveal a memory bias for high caloric food cues in overweight youngsters, which may well reflect a later-stage activation of food-related schemata. These may play a role in food-related preoccupations and overeating. The existence of an early-stage attention bias is less clear and requires further investigation.
An exploration of nutrition and eating disabilities in relation to quality of life at 6 months post-stroke
- Authors:
- PERRY Lin, McLAREN Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 12(4), July 2004, pp.288-297.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Quality of life (QoL) is increasingly recognised as an important healthcare outcome, especially for those living with enduring disability. Stroke is a major source of long-term disablement and many aspects of life after stroke have been explored. Little attention has been paid to nutritional issues despite the cultural and hedonistic importance of food and eating and the deleterious effects of malnutrition. This study employed an epidemiological survey to investigate the contribution of dietary and nutritional factors in relation to QoL after stroke. Participants were 206 (94% of 218 eligible and contactable) survivors of a cohort of acute stroke patients consecutively admitted to an NHS trust hospital in South London, between March 1998-April 1999. They were interviewed in their homes at 6 months post-stroke. Cognitively or communication-impaired patients were precluded except for 10 where a live-in carer participated as a proxy. Participants were assessed using standardised, validated tools for functional abilities in activities of daily living and eating, cognition and mood state, social support and economic indices, nutritional status, dietary intake and QoL. Overall group scores demonstrated relatively minor degrees of physical disablement; exclusion of those with limited cognition and communication precluded assessment of a small subgroup with greater disablement at hospital discharge. Nonetheless, overall assessment results were not dissimilar to other reported groups. Indices of poor nutritional status and substantial dietary inadequacy were revealed, linked with reduced appetite and depression. Multiple regression analyses revealed the dominant impact of mood state in relation to QoL scores; additional significant effects were identified for social support, eating-related disabilities and age. The effects of mood and social support are well-recognised, whilst nutrition-related effects have previously received little attention. Intervention in these areas might achieve improvements in survivors' perceived QoL.
Qualitative study of malnutrition in people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- FRANSSEN Janine J. L., MAASKANT Marian A., SCHROJENSTEIN Henny M. J. van
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 8(4), December 2011, pp.239-246.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are vulnerable to underweight status, often because of co-occurring eating disorders. However, it is unclear whether this results in malnutrition. This qualitative study investigated the awareness and knowledge of three physicians, three dieticians, and three direct care staff regarding malnutrition in people with ID from six different service providers in the Netherlands. Semi-structured interviews were held to explore participants’ experiences with problems and possible solutions. Findings revealed that the dieticians and physicians saw malnutrition prevalent in persons with ID that their clients, but they were uncertain about why this was the case. However, the direct care staff were certain that malnutrition was not present. The authors suggested screening of high-risk persons for the presence of malnutrition, and recommended education of direct care staff about healthy nutrition and weight. In ending, the authors called for the development of a screening instrument for malnutrition specifically for people with ID.
Obesity: a growing issue for European policy?
- Authors:
- LANG Tim, RAYNER Geof
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of European Social Policy, 15(4), November 2005, pp.301-327.
- Publisher:
- Sage
In Europe, concerns about obesity have been stimulated by trends in several member states, raising challenges for multilevel governance. This paper gives a picture of obesity in Europe, pointing to variations between and within countries. It discusses the various explanations of generalized weight gain, and the policy levers that might tackle it, the paper also maps current policy responses. Policy considerations raised include financial burdens, health-care management, social inequalities, cultural issues, welfare support, and farm and food industry drivers. The paper proposes that obesity is unlikely to be reduced unless it receives both multi-level and multi-field analysis and intervention. In this context, action in Europe is hampered by a fragmented institutional architecture at all levels of governance. It also raises serious questions about the unequal relations between the state, the market and civil society within Europe. The paper concludes with a suggestion that obesity warrants improved European linkages across discrete areas of policy.
Case report: behavioural treatment of improper eating by an institutionalised woman with profound intellectual disability - description of a successful intervention
- Author:
- SALOVIITA Timo
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 27(1), March 2002, pp.15-20.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Intensive 11-day behavioural training of an institutionalised woman with profound intellectual disability was used to teach proper eating by reducing her eating errors. The methods used included an increased number of learning opportunities, graduated guidance, the use of social reinforcement, and mild punishment through simple correction of eating errors. The treatment was faded into a maintenance phase. After the intensive training phase, the participant ceased to eat with her fingers from a plate, and her eating changed to a more tidy habit. She was also released from having her hand tied during the meals. The results were maintained during an informal follow-up 4 years later.
An overview of problematic eating and food-related behavior among foster children: definitions, aetiology, and intervention
- Authors:
- CASEY Carolyn M., COOK-COTTONE Catherine, BECK-JOSLYN Meredith
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 29(4), August 2012, pp.307-322.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This review article describes the scope of eating and food-related difficulties (such as Bulimia Nervosa, hoarding, obesity) among foster children. It then discusses potential etiological factors associated with these behaviours, reviews prevention and intervention strategies, and highlights implications for future research. The topics are aimed towards child welfare workers who are likely to encounter these eating patterns in practice. In addition to addressing problematic behaviours, this review also incorporates strategies for the promotion of healthy nutrition among families in the welfare system.
Nutrition by artificial means: guidance for mental health practitioners
- Author:
- MENTAL WELFARE COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 12p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This document aims to provide general legal and ethical guidance that will be of use to practitioners when they are considering the provision of nutrition by artificial means to a person for a mental disorder and in the absence of consent. It may also be of interest to service users, carers and advocates. Nutrition by artificial means is defined as nutrition by nasogastric feeding tube, percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tube or intravenous drip where this is as a treatment for eating disorder, or where there is refusal or failure to take adequate nutrition as a consequence of another mental disorder. The Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 makes specific reference to the provision of artificial nutrition in the absence of consent. This guidance considers the legislative context, and states that feeding by artificial means without consent should only take place when all other options have been explored. The document then discusses specific issues in practice, including: force and the use of restraint; providing hydration by artificial means; and the withdrawal of treatment.
The hand in hand nature of nutrition and cognitive decline
- Author:
- SHEPHERD Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing and Residential Care, 12(8), August 2010, pp.370-377.
- Publisher:
- MA Healthcare Ltd.
- Place of publication:
- London
A growing body of evidence suggests that nutrition may help reduce the risk of dementia. Research suggests that some of the molecular changes associated with ageing may be the result of molecular damage to cells and tissues that may be reduced as a result of improved nutrition. Evidence regarding the link between dementia and omega 3 fatty acids, cholesterols, and fats is discussed. The article then discusses eating difficulties associated with dementia patients, and the factors that lead many dementia patients to suffer from weight loss or to become obese. The article considers nutritional screening tools, promoting independence in patient feeding, overcoming dysphagia, and healthy food .The article concludes that ensuring that dementia patients are optimally nourished is important but can be a frustrating experience. When working with dementia patients, nurses should ensure that they maintain autonomy, dignity and respect. Nutritional interventions must be tailored to suit the individual’s condition and nutritional needs. These options include assisted eating, the use of sip feeds as an adjunct to normal food intake, or as a last resort the use of enteral feeding.
Early child neglect: does it predict obesity or underweight in later childhood?
- Authors:
- BENNETT David S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Maltreatment, 15(3), August 2010, pp.250-254.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Child neglect has been hypothesised to be a risk factor for being underweight in early childhood, as emotional deprivation may affect children’s eating behaviour or appetite, whereas physical neglect may lead to caregivers offering inadequate calories. Excessive eating may also occur amid poor parental supervision or may serve as a way to cope with stress. This study sought to examine whether neglected children are at increased risk for being either underweight or overweight. The participants were 185 children from 2 age groups; 91 of the children had a Child Protective Services history of neglect. The younger group of children were assessed annually from 4 to 7 years, and the older group from 7 to 9 years. The results showed that neglected and comparison children were found to have similar BMIs, although both groups had BMIs that were significantly greater than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) norms for age, gender, and ethnicity. Neglected children were at lower risk of a high BMI but only at ages 8 and 9 years. The findings suggest that greater examination of moderators is needed to identify the specific contexts in which neglect is related to children’s weight.