Heart Health Resources

Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, are mental health problems that cause extreme and dangerous behaviors involving weight and food. These extreme eating behaviors can cause other serious health problems and sometimes result in death. Eating disorders can happen to anyone, but are much more common in women.

• Women with eating disorders outnumber men by about 6-10 to 1.
• 9% of New Yorkers will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.
• In the United States, there are 10,200 deaths per year as a direct result of an eating disorder. This means 1 death every 52 minutes. 

Eating disorders, such as anorexia,bulimia, and binge eating disorder, are mental health problems that causeextreme and dangerous behaviors involving weight and food. These extreme eatingbehaviors can cause other serious health problems and sometimes result indeath. Eating disorders can happen to anyone, but are much more common in women.

• Women with eating disorders outnumbermen by about 6-10 to 1.
• 9% of New Yorkers will have an eating disorderin their lifetime.
• In the United States, there are 10,200 deathsper year as a direct result of an eating disorder. This means 1 death every 52minutes.

Sources:

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/eating-disorders

https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/eating-disorders

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/eating_disorders/

https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/resources/eating_disorders.html

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/eating_disorders/comprehensive_care_centers.htm

Care andTreatment

Eating disorders can be deadly due to various medicalcomplications and the high risk of associated suicide. See your healthcareprovider if you have concerns about an eating disorder.

Recovery from an eating disorder is an ongoing process. Itis possible with professional treatment and support. Continued therapy,nutritional monitoring, and access to support networks is needed to prevent andtreat relapses. The support of family and friends is also important during therecovery journey.

Acute eating disorder treatment can occur in varioussettings, depending on the severity of the individual's condition:

• inpatient hospital units
• Residential treatment centers (individuals livetemporarily at a medical facility)
• Partial hospitalization programs (also called dayprograms)
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)

Treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary approach,including psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, medical monitoring, andsometimes medication.

Psychotherapy: Individual counseling, and oftenfamily therapy, is very important to eating disorder treatment. It addresses thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that drivedisordered eating patterns. This also teaches coping skills to manage triggersand develop healthier behaviors.

Nutritional Counseling: Registered dietitians helpindividuals develop balanced meal plans, normalize their relationship withfood, and achieve a healthy weight.

Medical Monitoring: Regular medical checkups monitorphysical health, manage complications, and address any nutritionaldeficiencies.

Medication: In some cases, medication may beprescribed to address co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression,anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Support Groups: Connecting with others who haveexperienced similar struggles can provide support and encouragement. 

To learn if you have Care Management Services call

1-800-247-1441 (TTY: 711) from 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday.

Then, press “3” for Medicare or “4” for Medicaid.

If your call is received after 5 PM and is an urgent matter or an expedited appeal request, an after-hours health professional will assist you.