Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be

talking to you about eating disorders. And if you want to follow along with written notes on this topic,

you can follow along at zero definals.com slash eating disorders or in the CAMS section of

the Zero to Finals Pediatrics book. So let's get straight into it.

Eating disorders stem from an unhealthy and distorted obsession with body image and food.

There's a strong correlation with personality disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety

and other mental health disorders.

Eating disorders are more common in girls, but they can affect boys as well.

There seems to be a genetic component to the condition as it may run in families.

Firstly, let's talk about anorexia nervosa.

In patients with anorexia nervosa, the person feels they're overweight despite

evidence of normal or low body weight. The person suffering with anorexia nervosa will obsessively

restrict calorie intake with the intention of losing weight. Often the person exercises excessively

and may use diet pills or laxatives

to restrict absorption of food as well.

So what are the features of anorexia nervosa?

Well, patients may struggle with excessive weight loss,

amenorrhea or no periods,

Lenugo hair, which is fine, soft hair across most of the body,

hypokalemia or a low potassium level, hypotension or low blood pressure,

hypothermia or a low body temperature,

changes in mood, including anxiety and depression,

...