Spirituality/Medicine Interface Project

Religious and Spiritual Factors in Childhood and Adolescent Eating Disorders and Obesity

Authors: Mary Lynn Dell, MD, MTS, ThM, Allan M. Josephson, MD

Abstract

Eating disorders transcend medical specialty boundaries, unlike other conditions of body and mind. Given the significance of food, fasting, and eating customs in world religions, religious and spiritual issues figure prominently in the development, assessment, and management of anorexia, bulimia nervosa and obesity.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000, pp 583–595.
 
2. Treatment of patients with eating disorders, third edition. American Psychiatric Association. Am J Psychiatry 2006;163(7 Suppl):S4–54.
 
3. Center for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/06facts/obesity03_04.htm. Accessed January 5, 2007.
 
4. Krebs NF, Jacobson MS; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Prevention of pediatric overweight and obesity. Pediatrics 2003;112:434–430.
 
5. Lemke WE. Food. In: Achtemeier PJ (ed). Harper's Bible Dictionary. New York, HarperCollins Publishers, 1985, pp 315–316.
 
6. Juengst SC. Breaking Bread: The Spiritual Significance of Food. Louisville, Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992, pp 15–101.
 
7. Mendenhall CM III. Eating and drinking. In: Hunter RJ, Ramsay NJ (eds). Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling. Nashville, Abingdon Press, 2005, pp 331–332.
 
8. Gammie JG. Fasting. In: Achtemeier PJ (ed). Harper's Bible Dictionary. New York, HarperCollins Publishers, 1985, p 304.
 
9. Denny FM. Muslim food proscriptions. In: Crim K (ed). The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions.New York, HarperCollins Publishers, 1989, p 260.
 
10. Tabor CR. Food, religious attitudes toward. In: Crim K (ed). The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions. New York, HarperCollins Publishers, 1989, pp 260–261.
 
11. Ashby PH. Hinduism. In: Crim K (ed). The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions. New York, HarperCollins Publishers, 1989, pp 306–318.
 
12. Holck FHG. Ascetism. In: Crim K (ed). The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions. New York, HarperCollins Publishers, 1989, pp 65–67.
 
13. Gonzalez JL. A History of Christian Thought: Volume 1: From the Beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon (Revised Edition) Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1987, pp 126–137.
 
14. Stafford WS. Disordered Loves: Healing the Seven Deadly Sins. Boston, Cowley Publications, 1994, pp 1–34.
 
15. Bell RM. Holy Anorexia. Chicago, The University of Chicago Press, 1985, pp 22–53.
 
16. Bringle ML. The God of Thinness: Gluttony and Other Weighty Matters. Nashville, Abingdon Press 1992, pp 78–86.
 
17. Gonzalez JL. The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2. New York, HarperCollins Publishers, 1985, p 116.
 
18. Boyatzis CJ. Body image and eating disorders, women's. In: Dowling EM, Scarlett WG (eds). Encyclopedia of Religious and Spiritual Development. Thousand Oaks, Sage Publications Inc., 2006, pp 50–52.
 
19. Forthun LF, Pidcock BW, Fischer JL. Religiousness and disordered eating: does religiousness modify family risk? Eat Behav 2003;4:7–26.
 
20. Graham MA, Spencer W, Anderson AE. Altered religious practice in patients with eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord 1991;10:239–243.
 
21. Joughin N, Crisp AH, Halek C, et al. Religious belief and anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord 1992;12:397–406.
 
22. Manly RS, Leichner P. Anguish and despair in adolescents with eating disorders: helping to manage suicidal ideation and impulses. Crisis 2003;24:31–36.
 
23. Mitchell JE, Erlander RM, Pyle RL, et al. Eating disorders, religious practices and pastoral counseling. Int J Eat Disord 1990;9:589–593.
 
24. Morgan JF, Marsden P, Lacey JH. “Spiritual starvation?”: a case series concerning christianity and eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord 2000;28:476–480.
 
25. Smith FT, Hardman RK, Richards PS, et al. Intrinsic religiousness and spiritual well-being as predictors of treatment outcome among women with eating disorders. Eat Disord 2003;11:15–26.
 
26. Richards PS, Hardman RK, Berrett ME. Spiritual Approaches in the Treatment of Women with Eating Disorders. Washington, DC, American Psychological Association, 2007, pp 21–57, 111–203.
 
27. Lemmon C, Josephson A. Family therapy for eating disorders. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2001;10:519–542.
 
28. Josephson AM. The interactional problems of Christian families and their relationship to developmental psychopathology: Implications for treatment. Journal of Psychology and Christianity 1993;12:312–328.
 
29. Wasson DH, Jackson M. An Analysis of the Role of Overeaters Anonymous in Women's Recovery from Bulimia Nervosa. Eat Disord 2004;12:337–356.
 
30. van Wormer K, Davis DR. Addiction Treatment: A Strengths Perspective. Pacific Grove, Brooks/Cole, 2003, pp 58–112..
 
31. Clinebell HJ. Mental Health Through Christian Community. Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1965, pp 12–275.
32. Oates WE. The Religious Care of the Psychiatric Patient. Philadelphia, Westminster Press, 1978, pp 9–233.
33. Snorton TE. Setting common standards for professional chaplains in an age of diversity. South Med J. 2006;99:660–662.
 
34. Handzo GF. Best practices in professional pastoral care. South Med J. 2006;99:663–664.
35. Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy. South Med J 2006;99:680–681.
 
36. Dell ML. Religious professionals and institutions: untapped resources for clinical care. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2004;13:85–110.