Teenagers and Eating Disorders

Learning about eating disorders is the first step toward recognizing and combating eating disorders in your teen.  About 1% of teenagers are affected, mainly girls, and it is a serious psychological disorder, based on an unhealthy obsession with food. Anorexia is the most common disorder among adolescents with an unhealthy fear of gaining weight.  Young people with bulimia feel compelled to overeat, then purge by induced vomiting.

These eating disorders can have unhealthy consequences, creating nutrition, growth and weight problems. Anorexia and bulimia are linked with body image, and most teens with eating disorders feel that they must take drastic measures to lose weight.  In severe cases, the condition can be life-threatening and in most cases can cause health problems such as anemia, iron deficiency and brittle bones.

A related problem is yo-yo dieting where the teen binges but feels guilty afterward and goes on a starvation diet. The alternation of weight gain, followed by significant weight loss represents a significant health risk to the developing body. Again, this cycle of always being on a diet indicates an extreme concern over body weight, as well as feelings of shame associated with weight gain.

Parents can recognize the signs fairly easily and should be aware that the teen is suffering from feelings of shame and depression related to his or her eating habits, based on a negative self-image and complex social and cultural pressures. Compassion and understanding are vital to a successful recovery. Loving support from friends and family can do much to help your teen develop healthy habits about proper nutrition, appropriate exercise and acceptance of his or her body. Teachers and school counselors should also be made aware of the signs to look for. If eating disorders are caught early, and the person is willing to accept the help that is available to them, the chances of recovery are greater.

Many people with eating disorders also can be depressed or anxious, or have other mental health problems such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).  Like all bad habits, the longer it is untreated the harder it is to break unhealthy eating patterns.  It is important to recognize and address the problem as soon as possible, because eating disorders can do a lot of damage emotionally and physically and don’t get better by themselves.

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