Eating Disorders
It's no secret that many women struggle with body image issues. The build-up of cultural pressure, negative media, family influences and emotional stress can lead to an eating disorder, such as bulimia and anorexia, especially among younger women.
But eating disorders are not just a passing phase of youth. They are serious medical conditions that need treatment.
What you can do to prevent and treat eating disorders
Building your self-esteem and developing a positive attitude toward food and nutrition are important ways to prevent an eating disorder. If you have kids, beliefs and behaviors also influence them. Consider these prevention tips:
- Avoid using food as a reward or punishment.
- Don't label food as good or bad. Aim for balance, variety and moderation.
- Emphasize fitness as a way to stay healthy and maintain a reasonable weight.
- Prohibit teasing about body shape and size.
- Manage the media by not letting it influence your perceptions of what's normal or ideal.
Your chances of recovering from an eating disorder are greatest when the disorder is discovered early. If you've been diagnosed with an eating disorder, work with your doctor to:
- Develop a plan to restore normal weight.
- Treat any physical complications associated with your condition.
- Explore medication options.
- Learn healthy eating and exercise habits.
- Build a positive body image.
How to talk to your doctor
If you think you or your child might be developing an eating disorder, make a list of symptoms and concerns to discuss with your doctor.
Some symptoms of anorexia include:
- Excessive thinness with irrational thoughts of being overweight
- Not eating for long periods of time, eating very little at meals or not eating in front of others
- Infrequent menstrual periods
- Dry, yellowish skin and thin hair
- Hypersensitivity to cold and dressing in layers
Some signs of bulimia include:
- Regular trips to the bathroom after meals to vomit
- Binge eating
- Red eyes due to broken blood vessels from vomiting
- Dry mouth, cavities, sore gums and enamel erosion from vomiting
- Cuts or calluses on fingers from induced vomiting
How UnitedHealthcare can help
Use UnitedHealthcare's tools and resources to help you address eating disorders.
Log in to myuhc.com®
| myuhc.com resource | How it helps | How to find it |
| Benefits & Coverage | Find out what mental health benefits are covered under your plan. | myuhc.com →
Benefits & Coverage |
| Health Discounts | Take advantage of exclusive discounts on nutritional counseling, natural products and foods, stress reduction and relaxation resources through the UnitedHealth Allies health discount program. | myuhc.com →
Extra Programs & Discounts |
Live and work well
United Behavioral Health can help you take charge of your health and well-being. Help yourself to self-paced courses and confidential mental health resources – including eating disorders.
Call the NurseLine
Struggling with a negative body image? Find out if you should see a doctor about an eating disorder.
- To talk to a NurseLine nurse, call the Customer Care number on the back of your ID card or visit myuhc.com.
