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Prevention: Reducing or eliminating the problem by understanding and
addressing causes and risk factors. Physicians are doing primary prevention whether they
know it or not when they: |
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Educate patients about nutrition |
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Play the role of health educator |
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Encourage healthy physical activity |
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Promote positive body image |
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Help families to communicate
effectively, have healthy relationships, and build self-esteem |
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Guide parents and children through
the challenges of growth and individuation |
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| Secondary Prevention: Identifying the problem early, before it
becomes severe. |
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Noticing changes in physical
parameters such as growth, weight, vital signs |
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Sharing concerns and providing
initial counseling |
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Educating patients about the
importance of adequate nutrition and health habits |
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Consulting to schools, athletic
organizations, and other influential groups |
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Extreme concern with body weight |
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| Tertiary Prevention: Developing strategies to keep the problem from getting worse. |
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Refer for appropriate therapy by
knowing the resources in their area |
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Break the denial by giving an
historic perspective of their observations of the patient’s condition and potential
consequences of the eating disorder |
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Educate patients about the positive
benefits of treatment |
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Monitor medical status and keep
patients stable while treatment proceeds |
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Set a positive example of needing
others by collaborating and communicating with mental health professionals |
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Advocate for appropriate care when
third party payers deny it |
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© 2005
National Eating Disorders Association
Permission is granted to copy and reprint materials for educational purposes only.
National Eating Disorders Association must be cited and web address listed.
www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
Informational and Referral Helpline: 800.931.2237
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