De La Salle University

Senior High School

A.Y. 2018-2019

bEATing Disorders: A Mental Health Advocacy

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Course Requirements for

Personal Development 3
3rd term

Submitted by:
Villegas, Miles Patrice T.
ABM 11-A

Submitted to:
Dr. Cleofe Palac

Submitted on:
Friday, March 8, 2019
1.1 Title of Mental Health Advocacy Project:​ ​bEating disorders

1.2 Project Background/Rationale:

Mental health is an important factor towards the holistic and wholesome growth of a

human being. It is something that affects the way we think, feel, and react to certain situations.

(US Department of Health and Human Services, n.d). Eating disorders is a common and

devastating disorder resulting from serious problems with mental and emotional health. The

researcher chose to create a mental health advocacy over eating disorders since this is a topic that

personally affected the researcher. Whenever a situation becomes too stressful, the eating habits

of the researcher are severely affected. Their own experiences drove the researcher to create this

mental health advocacy project since it is something the researcher wish to raise awareness on. It

is their goal to lend a helping hand to someone who might be going through what they have

personally experienced.

Posters are a creative and eye-catching way to capture the attention of an audience. Great

advocacies start from something as simple as a poster. Since the aim is to foster knowledge, help

prevent, and intervene to the life of the person suffering from an eating disorder, a poster is the

greatest tool available. Mental health disorders are difficult subjects to engage on, and it is

notoriously difficult to approach and support people who are suffering through a disorder, but a

poster is an efficient, supportive, yet not confrontational way of approaching those victims to

mental health disorders. A study by Ilic and Rowe (2013) found that posters are effective in

communicating and promoting health and mental well-being.

1.3 Review of Related Literature

Contrary to the popular opinion, most people end up having eating disorders because

eating too much or too little is a way for them to deal with stressful, traumatic, or difficult events

in their lives (Mental Health Foundation, 2015). Eating orders is rarely about the physical looks

itself, but about the mental state of the person experiencing it. Another myth perpetuated by

popular media is that only those who eat too little (anorexic/bulimic) have eating disorders, but

there is also another extreme end to the spectrum. Other victims of eating disorder gain weight

through constant eating that results from stress (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016).

Although researchers have not been able to pinpoint the actual cause of eating disorders, it is

generally agreed upon that eating disorders result from factors such as genetics, biochemistry,

psychology, culture, and environment (Jed Foundation, n.d ).

Uher & Rutter (2012) defined the top three and most common types of eating disorders

and their symptoms which include:

1. Anorexia Nervosa: This is characterized by rapid weight loss or no noticeable weight

gain in children, a distorted body image, difficulty maintaining a proper and balanced

diet. ​People with anorexia have restrictive diets that aims to lessen their calorie intake.

(National Eating Disorder Association, n.d)

2. Bulimia Nervosa: Characterized by frequent and constantly recurring episodes of

binge-eating, or eating large amounts of food, followed by behavioural tendencies that

compensate for the intake of food. These can include forced vomiting, use laxatives,

fasting, and excessive exercise. (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016)

 3. Binge Eating Disorder: This is characterized by a person losing control over their eating

habits. Unlike Bulimia Nervosa, the binge-eating is not followed by actions to purge the

excessive intake of food. Due to this, people who suffer from binge-eating disorders are

overweight or obese. (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016)

Uher and Rutter (2012) further identified three eating disorders that are rising in numbers

of people that are suffering through the disorders.

1. Pica: ​An eating disorder in which a person eats items that are not typically considered as

food items, such as hair, dirt, rocks, and paint chips. This can cause severe damage to

their digestive system, and can cause nutritional deficiencies since their food intake have

no significant nutritional value. (National Eating Disorder Association, n.d)

2. Rumination Disorder: This is also known as Rumination Syndrome in which ​which

people repeatedly and unintentionally regurgitate partially digested food from the

stomach, rechew it, and then either re-swallow it or spit it out. Because the food hasn't yet

been digested, it reportedly tastes normal and isn't acidic, as vomit is. (Mayo Clinic,

2018)

3. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): This is an umbrella term for eating

disorders that do not generally subscribe to the normal range of symptoms yet still

experience a disturbance in the eating habits. It is when people developed a problem with

eating, normally as young children. Due to this problem, the person does not get enough

sustenance. (Center for Eating Disorders, n.d)

 In general, the National Eating Disorder Association identified several common

symptoms of an eating disorder which include:

● Emotional and behavioral

○ Weight loss, dieting, and food control are primary concerns

○ Focus is on weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat in grams

○ Refuses to eat certain types of food items, sometimes restricing a whole category

of food items such as protein

○ Uncomfortable with eating with other people, and thus avoids social situations

and result in withdrawing from social circles

○ Food rituals that can involve the refusal to eat, excessive chewing, and slow or

fast eating habits

○ Extreme concern with body size and shape that can involve the overt checking in

the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance

● Physical

○ Extreme weight loss or weight gain in a short amount of time.

○ Gastrointestinal and digestive problems that can result in cramps

○ For women, this can result in menstrual irregularities

○ Having difficulty concentrating in class, job, or at home

○ Constant and worrying amount of dizzy spells

○ Problems with sleep, or irregular sleep patterns

○ Sore and calloused finger joints

 ○ Problems of the teeth, such as enamel erosion, increased cavities, and sensitive

tooth

○ Dry skin and hair, and brittle nails

○ Swelling around area of salivary glands

○ Muscle weakness

○ Impaired immune functioning

Furthermore, there are studies that propose preventive measures against eating disorders.

Prevention generally receives less attention by researchers, as they focus on the reasons that

result in the eating disorders. Prevention can either be primary or secondary. Primary prevention

is aimed to eliminate the causes that can result in an eating disorder, while secondary revolves

around detecting the eating disorder early. Bear (2003) from the National Eating Disorder

Information Center proposes several methods to prevent eating disorders.

For primary prevention, Bear (2003) proposes that schools and universities minimise

social pressures, teaching families on how to minimize harmful family attitudes, and reducing

individual factors. Adolescent girls at the highest risk from suffering from an eating disorder

which is why minimizing social expectations and pressures is key to preventing eating disorders.

Health professionals, families, and peers can all help prevent eating disorders by focusing on

other things other than body weight and image. ​Finally, we can prevent eating disorders by not

placing so much pressure on children to excel.

 On the other hand, secondary prevention focuses on early detection and a quick and

efficient intervention to help those that are going through an eating disorder. There is a certain

level of difficulty in implementing early detection schemes since individuals that have eating

disorders are sure to hide their eating disorders from their families and friends, which is why

teachers, friends, and families should be equipped with the knowledge of what symptoms should

raise warning signs. A non confrontational way of approaching is preferred, since a direct and

confrontational way can scare and stress the individual further, and might even prevent them

from getting the help they need.

Recovering from an eating disorder is a difficult and taxing journey, not just for the

individual, but also for their family and friends. Pratt and Woolfenden (2009) proposed that the

first step to intervention is to educate, not just the individual, but also their social circles. Educate

the individual about the harmful effects of eating disorders and about proper dieting and eating

habits. Teach the individual that they are worthy and how to heal themselves. Furthermore, some

individuals might be unaware they are suffering through an eating disorder, which is why

educate them about the symptoms of eating disorders.

The American Addiction Center (n.d) found that aid or voluntary help is a vital step in

the intervention process. Addicts and individual suffering with an eating disorder need the

support of their family and friends to help through the healing process. Family and friends are

the ones who are tasked to convince the individual to seek professional help. The individuals’

social circles are encouraged to spend time, have patience, and be caring as they aim for
improvement. Finally, Staff (2010) found that a team effort, or active participation form the

family and the individual, is needed to make the intervention process successful.

1.4 Project Objectives:

The bEATing disorders mental health advocacy have three main objectives: to raise

awareness over the common kinds of eating disorders, to provide ways on how to prevent eating

disorders from happening, and to help people determine ways to intervene and help themselves

or their love ones who are suffering eating disorders.

The advocacy also has several minor objectives which includes: providing easy access to

information about eating disorders, summarizing relevant information and knowledge about the

common eating disorders, and connecting to the people who are currently suffering through

eating disorders.

Each poster fulfills each of the three main objectives. The informative poster fulfills the

goal of raising awareness over the common kinds of eating disorders. The preventive poster

delivers ways on preventing eating disorders from occurring. Finally, the intervention poster

provides a possible plan of helping people with eating disorder.

1.5 Target Audience:

The main target audience for the posters is young adults or teenagers. Due to the pressure

of social media, academics or a new job, and the ever-speedy transition of the 21​st century, young

adults and teenagers must look for different ways to cope with the stressful events in their lives.
Unfortunately, due to misinformation or misdirection, or simply the lack of knowledge, these

young adults are driven to cope in harmful ways.

Adolescents around the age of 12-15 are at the highest risk of early onset eating

disorders, while females ages 15-24 have 12 times higher mortality rates for eating disorders.

(Monroe, H., 2018). This is the main rationale behind targeting these posters to young

adolescents and the female population. To prevent eating disorders, a community needs to

address and really tackle the issue at at an early age (Sands, 2016). Furthermore, the infographic

is presented to the general public in an effort to raise awareness over the common types of eating

disorders. The prevention poster is targeted to communities and school administrators, while the

intervention poster is for family and friends of the individual.

1.6 Content of the Poster Series:

Infographic:

The infographic contains information on the definition of eating disorders and the three

most common types of eating disorders people exhibit as defined by Uher and Rutter (2012).

These three disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorders.

Furthermore, the infographic contains pictures depicting people that exhibit the effects of long

term eating disorders on the body. There are two pictures of emaciated bodies, an effect brought

about by anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. There are also two pictures of obese or

overweight bodies that are the effects of a binge eating disorder. The main tagline of the

infographic is “You don’t have to look like you have an eating disorder to have one” is an

allusion to the popular perception that you have to look extremely thin or overweight before you
can have an eating disorders. Individuals with eating disorder can look perfectly normal but

suffer from nutritional defects.

Prevention:

The prevention poster suggest several strategies to people in order to prevent eating

disorders from ever occurring or from occurring further. There are two ways that are presented

which are the primary measures and the secondary measures. Furthermore, there are more

pictures of potential changes in the body that people have to look out for in order to determine if

an individual is suffering from an eating disorder. These pictures include a thin hand with bones

and veins showing, extremely emaciated body, and increasing focus on body weight and image.

The main tagline of the prevention poster is “Prevention happens through knowledge” since a

person/community can only truly prevent eating disorders if they are sufficiently equipped with

the knowledge on eating disorders. This knowledge can be gained from the infographic.

Intervention:

The intervention poster focuses on three steps that a person/community can do to help

intervene on the eating disorder of the individual. The main graphic of the poster is a large

picture showing a group of friends that are enjoying a meal together. This graphic is related to

the the three steps that are offered. The first step is to educate the individual on the effects, the

second step is to aid them by encouraging them to consult with a professional, and the third is to

team up and beat the eating disorder together. A person with any mental disorder needs the help

of the people around them to truly get better. The main tagline of the intervention poster is “To

beat an eating disorder, remember E.A.T”. E.A.T refers to the three steps, and also reminds
people to eat in a healthy way. Returning to the graphic, the image is related to the friendship and

healthy relationship that is needed for an individual to beat their eating disirders.

1.7 Display Plans:

If the posters were to be printed in full and displayed, the posters will be displayed near

food establishments. In DLSU, the best areas to display these posters will be near Agno Food

Court, Bloeman Food Court, and Pericos. Furthermore, prime areas for display will include near

restrooms and classrooms. The rationale behind displaying posters around food courts and

canteen is simple, food is the instrument of the problem (Weiss, C., 2014).

Eating disorder is connected to food in all ways. Food courts are also crowded and

experience heavy and frequent foot traffic which is crucial for raising awareness over the

advocacy. Restrooms are also ideal locations because it is a location where people suffering from

eating disorders such as bulimia primarily go after eating. Similar to food courts, restrooms

experience heavy foot traffic that helps in raising awareness.

A wider coverage in areas where individuals with eating disorders go can have a positive

impact by improving the chances of them seeking professional help. Poster placement is based

upon the target audience, and since the target audience of this advocacy are the communities,

school administrators, and individuals with eating disorder, then the placement of the poster

should be somewhere that is easily accessible for the target audience (McIntyre & Lowcay,

2005).
References:

Ilic, D. & Rowe, N. (2013). What is the evidence that poster presentations are effective in

promoting knowledge transfer? A state of the art review. ​He​ ​alth information and

libraries journal. 30.​ 4-12.

Jed Foundation (n.d). Eating disorders. Retrieved from

https://www.jedfoundation.org/eating-disorders/

Mayo Clinic (2018). Rumination syndrome. Retrieved from

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rumination-syndrome/symptoms-causes/

syc-20377330

McIntyre, E. & Lowcay, B. (2005). Research posters-The way to display. ​Bmj

Mental Health Foundation (2015). Why research eating disorders? Retreived from

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/blog/why-research-eating-disorders

Monroe, H. (2018). The truth about teen eating disorders. Retrieved

from​https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2018-01-04/the-truth-about-

teen-eating-disorders

National Eating Disorder Association (n.d). Anorexia Nervosa. Retrieved from

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/anorexia
National Eating Disorder Association (n.d). Pica. Retrieved from

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/other/pica

National Institute of Mental Health (2016). Eating disorders. Retireved from

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml

Pratt, B. & Woolfenden, S. (2009). Interventions for preventing eating disorders in children and

adolescents. ​The Cochrane Library

Sands, S. (2016). What can I do to prevent eating disorders? Retrieved from

https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/what-can-i-do-to-help-prevent-eating-disorder

Shaw, H., Stice, E., & Becker, C. B. (2009). Preventing eating disorders. ​Child and adolescent

psychiatric clinics of North America,​ ​18(​ 1), 199-207.

The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt (n.d.) Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake

Disorder. Retrieved from

https://www.eatingdisorder.org/eating-disorder-information/avoidantrestrictive-food-inta

ke-disorder-arfid/

Uher, R., & Rutter, M. (2012). Classification of feeding and eating disorders: review of evidence

and proposals for ICD-11. ​World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric

Association (WPA)​, ​11​(2), 80-92.

US Department of Health and Human Services (n.d.). Eating disorders. Retrieved from

https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/mental-health-parity/achieving-parity/cures-act
 -parity-listening-session/comments/patients-and-advocates/eating-disorders-coalition/ind

ex.html

Weiss, C. (2014). Food obsessions and the brain: ​Understanding the neuroscience of appetite for

Anorexia Nervosa.