Case Study About Eating Disorder

  Case Description: Jenny is a psychology major at a local college. During middle school, Jenny was overweight. Other children teased her about her weight. In middle school, she felt isolated and was described as a “loner” by teachers. Her self-esteem was low and she felt very badly because she was not thin like her peers. Jenny began a strict diet in high school. She lost weight and seemed happier, although she had few friends and remained isolated. During college, Jenny was finding it was difficult to socialize with others. She was still feeling fat, even though, after all the dieting, she was quite thin. Jenny was having difficulty losing more weight, and she turned to laxatives to lose weight. She became significantly underweight. Now, she eats one meal a day and exercises at least 90 minutes a day. Jenny was recently diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.   Please answer the questions in the five areas about this case: What are symptoms related to Anorexia Nervosa? List at least five symptoms related to Anorexia Nervosa. Nutrition therapy is recommended in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa. What are some ideas that you might have for nutrition therapy or improving nutrition for Jenny? Do you think our society has a thin ideal? As a health educator, how could you help her adjust and change eating habits? What strategies might you use? How would you gain Jenny's trust so that she might listen to your ideas? Would you reach out to her family--- if you had her permission? Or would you refer her to counseling? Why and when?