1. US Curriculums
  2. TEKS
  3. Grade 8
  4. Health Education
  5. Describe the consequences of disordered eating and eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder and the importance of seeking help from a parent

Grade 8 · Health Education

Describe the consequences of disordered eating and eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder and the importance of seeking help from a parent

Quarter 2 · Week 2 · TEKS

Standards Alignment

  • TEKS.115.27.G8.06D primary
    describe the consequences of disordered eating and eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder and the importance of seeking help from a parent or another trusted adult for oneself or others related to disordered eating;
  • TEKS.115.27.G8.06E primary
    discuss the suicide risk and suicide protective factors identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the importance of telling a parent or another trusted adult if one observes the warning signs in self or others;
  • TEKS.115.27.G8.06F primary
    research and discuss protective factors and healthy self-management strategies to avoid self-harming behaviors; and

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Lesson Overview

This Grade 8 health education lesson focuses on understanding the consequences of disordered eating and eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder. It emphasizes the importance of seeking help from a parent or another trusted adult for oneself or others. The lesson also covers suicide risk factors, protective factors, and healthy self-management strategies to avoid self-harming behaviors, aligned with TEKS standards for mental health and wellness.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the consequences of disordered eating and eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder.
  • Explain the importance of seeking help from a parent or another trusted adult for oneself or others related to disordered eating.
  • Discuss suicide risk and protective factors identified by the CDC and the importance of telling a parent or trusted adult if warning signs are observed in self or others.
  • Research and discuss protective factors and healthy self-management strategies to avoid self-harming behaviors.

Success Criteria

  • Students can identify and describe consequences of bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder.
  • Students can explain why seeking help from a parent or trusted adult is important when facing disordered eating.
  • Students can discuss suicide risk factors and protective factors and recognize warning signs in themselves or others.
  • Students can identify protective factors and healthy strategies to avoid self-harm and explain their benefits.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of mental health concepts and the importance of seeking help for health concerns.

Key Vocabulary

  • Disordered eating
  • Eating disorders
  • Bulimia
  • Anorexia
  • Binge eating disorder
  • Suicide risk factors
  • Suicide protective factors
  • Self-harming behaviors
  • Trusted adult
  • Protective factors
  • Mental health

Materials and Resources

  • Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
  • Printed fact sheets or slides about bulimia, anorexia, binge eating disorder, and their consequences
  • CDC suicide risk and protective factors information handout
  • Scenario cards for role-play activities
  • Reflection journals or paper for student responses

Teacher Preparation

  • Review TEKS standards TEKS.115.27.G8.06D, TEKS.115.27.G8.06E, and TEKS.115.27.G8.06F to ensure alignment.
  • Prepare clear, age-appropriate explanations and examples of eating disorders and their consequences.
  • Gather CDC information on suicide risk and protective factors to share with students.
  • Prepare role-play scenarios illustrating seeking help and recognizing warning signs.
  • Set up materials for group discussions and reflection activities.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders

Disordered eating refers to irregular or unhealthy eating behaviors that may not meet clinical criteria for an eating disorder but can still harm health. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits and severe distress or concern about body weight or shape. The three common eating disorders are bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Bulimia involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting. Anorexia is characterized by extreme food restriction and fear of gaining weight leading to dangerously low body weight. Binge eating disorder involves recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food without purging. These disorders can cause physical health problems such as malnutrition, heart issues, digestive problems, and mental health challenges including anxiety and depression.

Consequences of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can lead to serious health consequences including weakened immune system, heart irregularities, electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal issues, and in severe cases, death. They also impact emotional well-being, causing feelings of shame, isolation, and low self-esteem. The social consequences include strained relationships and difficulties in school or work. Early recognition and intervention are critical to prevent long-term damage and improve recovery outcomes.

Importance of Seeking Help from a Parent or Trusted Adult

Students should understand that eating disorders and disordered eating are health concerns that require support. Seeking help from a parent or another trusted adult is important because these adults can provide emotional support, help access professional care, and ensure safety. Trusted adults can guide students to appropriate resources such as counselors, doctors, or mental health professionals. Encouraging open communication reduces stigma and promotes early intervention.

Suicide Risk and Protective Factors (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies suicide risk factors such as mental health disorders, substance abuse, history of trauma, and feelings of hopelessness. Protective factors include strong family and community support, access to mental health care, problem-solving skills, and connectedness to others. Recognizing warning signs like withdrawal, mood changes, or talk of self-harm is essential. Students should be encouraged to tell a parent or trusted adult if they notice these signs in themselves or others to get help promptly.

Protective Factors and Healthy Self-Management Strategies

Protective factors that help avoid self-harming behaviors include positive relationships, coping skills, and a supportive environment. Healthy self-management strategies include practicing stress reduction techniques like deep breathing, physical activity, journaling, and seeking social support. Teaching students these strategies empowers them to manage difficult emotions and reduces the risk of self-harm. Encouraging help-seeking behavior and resilience-building supports mental wellness.

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Scenario

Explain why it is important for a student who notices a friend showing signs of disordered eating to tell a trusted adult.

Explanation

A student who notices a friend showing signs of disordered eating should tell a trusted adult because eating disorders can have serious health consequences and may require professional help. Trusted adults can provide support, ensure safety, and help the friend access medical or mental health care. Early intervention increases the chance of recovery and prevents worsening of the condition.

Answer Guide

It is important to tell a trusted adult so the friend can get help early, stay safe, and recover from the eating disorder.

Worked Example 2

Scenario

Identify two suicide protective factors and explain how they help reduce risk.

Explanation

Two suicide protective factors are strong family support and access to mental health care. Strong family support provides emotional connection and a sense of belonging, which can reduce feelings of isolation. Access to mental health care ensures that individuals receive professional help to manage mental health challenges, reducing the risk of suicide.

Answer Guide

Strong family support helps by making a person feel connected and cared for. Access to mental health care helps by providing treatment and support to manage problems.

Engage

Teacher Activity

Begin the lesson by asking students if they have heard about eating disorders and what they know about them. Share a brief story or example of someone struggling with disordered eating to connect emotionally.

Student Activity

Students share their prior knowledge or experiences related to eating habits and mental health. They listen to the story and think about why someone might need help.

Explanation

This phase activates students' background knowledge and creates interest in the topic of eating disorders and mental health.

Examples

  • Students share ideas about eating habits and health.
  • Students show curiosity or empathy about the story.
  • Students identify trusted adults they could talk to.

Explore

Teacher Activity

Present factual information about bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder using fact sheets or slides. Facilitate a discussion on the physical and emotional consequences of these disorders.

Student Activity

Students take notes and participate in the discussion, asking questions and sharing thoughts about the consequences of eating disorders.

Explanation

Students explore the characteristics and impacts of eating disorders to build understanding of the seriousness of these conditions.

Examples

  • Students identify symptoms and consequences of each disorder.
  • Students connect physical and emotional effects.
  • Students express understanding of the need for early help.

Explain

Teacher Activity

Explain the importance of seeking help from a parent or trusted adult when facing disordered eating or noticing warning signs in others. Introduce CDC suicide risk and protective factors and discuss how to recognize warning signs of self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

Student Activity

Students listen and take notes. They discuss in pairs or small groups why telling a trusted adult is important and how to recognize warning signs.

Explanation

This phase clarifies the role of trusted adults and the importance of communication in preventing harm and promoting recovery.

Examples

  • Students identify trusted adults in their lives.
  • Students list warning signs of distress or self-harm.
  • Students articulate reasons to seek help early.

Elaborate

Teacher Activity

Guide students to research and discuss protective factors and healthy self-management strategies to avoid self-harming behaviors. Facilitate role-play activities where students practice seeking help or supporting a friend.

Student Activity

Students work in groups to identify protective factors and strategies. They participate in role-plays demonstrating how to seek help or encourage a friend to get help.

Explanation

Students apply knowledge by exploring ways to protect mental health and practicing communication skills in realistic scenarios.

Examples

  • Students identify protective factors like support and coping skills.
  • Students demonstrate healthy self-management techniques.
  • Students practice asking for or offering help respectfully.

Evaluate

Teacher Activity

Ask students to write a short reflection or complete an exit ticket explaining the consequences of eating disorders, the importance of seeking help, and strategies to avoid self-harm. Review responses to assess understanding.

Student Activity

Students write or share their reflections demonstrating their understanding of the lesson's key concepts.

Explanation

This phase assesses students' comprehension and ability to articulate the lesson's main ideas.

Examples

  • Students accurately describe consequences and help-seeking importance.
  • Students list protective factors and healthy strategies.
  • Students express personal understanding and readiness to seek help if needed.

Classroom Activity

Students take notes and participate in the discussion, asking questions and sharing thoughts about the consequences of eating disorders.

Guided Practice

Guided Practice 1

Prompt

What is bulimia and one consequence?

Teacher Answer Guide

Bulimia is an eating disorder involving binge eating followed by purging. One consequence is damage to the digestive system.

Guided Practice 2

Prompt

Why should someone tell a trusted adult if they see warning signs of suicide?

Teacher Answer Guide

Because trusted adults can help get support and keep the person safe.

Guided Practice 3

Prompt

Name one protective factor that helps prevent self-harm.

Teacher Answer Guide

Strong family or community support.

Independent Practice

  1. Foundational: What is an eating disorder?
  2. Developing: Name three eating disorders and one consequence of each.
  3. Application: If you notice a friend skipping meals and talking about being too fat, what should you do?
  4. Analysis: Explain how protective factors can help someone avoid self-harming behaviors.
  5. Challenge: Discuss why early intervention in eating disorders is important for both physical and mental health.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

  1. 1. An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition involving unhealthy eating habits and concerns about body weight or shape.
  2. 2. Bulimia (can cause heart problems), anorexia (can cause malnutrition), binge eating disorder (can cause weight gain and emotional distress).
  3. 3. Tell a parent or another trusted adult about your concerns so your friend can get help.
  4. 4. Protective factors like strong relationships and coping skills provide support and healthy ways to manage emotions, reducing the need to self-harm.
  5. 5. Early intervention prevents serious physical health problems like malnutrition and heart issues, and also addresses mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, improving chances for full recovery.

Guiding Questions

  • What are the main types of eating disorders and their effects?
  • Why should someone seek help from a parent or trusted adult?
  • What are warning signs of suicide risk and self-harm?
  • What protective factors help maintain mental health?
  • How can you support yourself or others facing these challenges?

Common Misconceptions

  • Eating disorders are just about food or vanity; they are actually serious mental health conditions.
  • Only people who are very thin have eating disorders; people of any size can have them.
  • Talking about suicide or self-harm will make someone more likely to do it; discussing these topics can help prevent harm by encouraging help-seeking.
  • Seeking help means you are weak; it is a sign of strength and an important step toward recovery.

Differentiation

Support and Intervention

Provide clear, simple definitions and examples for students who need extra help. Use visual aids and fact sheets to reinforce learning. Allow students to work in pairs or small groups for discussions and role-plays.

English-Language Learner Support

Use pictures and diagrams to explain eating disorders and warning signs. Pre-teach key vocabulary with definitions and examples. Encourage use of bilingual dictionaries or translation apps during activities.

Advanced and Extension

Challenge students to research additional eating disorders or mental health conditions. Have students create informational posters or presentations on protective factors. Encourage critical discussion on societal influences on eating disorders and mental health stigma.

Assessment

  • Observe student participation in discussions and role-plays about seeking help and recognizing warning signs.
  • Review student notes and contributions during group research on protective factors.
  • Use questioning during lesson phases to check understanding of consequences and help-seeking importance.
  • Write one consequence of an eating disorder and why it is important to tell a trusted adult if you or someone you know is struggling.
  • List two suicide protective factors and explain how they help.
  • Describe one healthy self-management strategy to avoid self-harm.
  • Create a short presentation or poster explaining an eating disorder, its consequences, and how to seek help.
  • Write a reflective essay on the importance of trusted adults in mental health support and suicide prevention.

Answer Guide

  • What is bulimia and one consequence?
    Answer: Bulimia is an eating disorder involving binge eating followed by purging. One consequence is damage to the digestive system.
  • Why should someone tell a trusted adult if they see warning signs of suicide?
    Answer: Because trusted adults can help get support and keep the person safe.
  • Name one protective factor that helps prevent self-harm.
    Answer: Strong family or community support.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to talk with their parents or guardians about what they learned regarding eating disorders and the importance of seeking help. Provide a handout summarizing key points for families.

Homework or Home Connection

  • Encourage students to talk with their parents or guardians about what they learned regarding eating disorders and the importance of seeking help. Provide a handout summarizing key points for families.

Lesson Summary

Students learned about the serious consequences of disordered eating and eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder. They understood why seeking help from a parent or trusted adult is crucial for themselves or others. The lesson covered suicide risk and protective factors identified by the CDC and emphasized the importance of recognizing warning signs and telling a trusted adult. Students explored protective factors and healthy self-management strategies to avoid self-harming behaviors, practicing communication skills through role-play and reflection.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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