Two of the most common eating disorders seen in teens are anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
Anorexia nervosa usually occurs in young women, but occasionally afflicts young men. The symptoms include an irrational fear of obesity coupled with refusal to eat, compulsive exercising, severe weight loss and body image distortion. This causes a severely underweight teen to view herself as fat.
Bulimia, which occurs in both sexes, also stems from fear of being fat, but includes eating large volumes of food followed by self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse or fasting. The bulimic may also be a drug or alcohol user, and is often of normal weight. Depression and low self esteem have been tied to both anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
Another disorder, compulsive overeating, is seen in both sexes and means that the teen eats to cope with feelings like depression, anger, anxiety and guilt. He or she may be somewhat overweight, or obese.
Eating disorders can be health or even life threatening, but they can be treated, and you should be sure to consult your physician.
Risk Factors for Eating Disorders
Teenage girls are most at risk for developing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Both boys and girls can be at risk for compulsive overeating and obesity.
g Perfectionist teens are at high risk for anorexia nervosa and bulimia. These girls are usually excellent students, well behaved, and intent on doing everything just right (even when it comes to the elusive idea of self perfection)
g Girls raised by authoritarian parents or who feel compelled to please their parents are at risk. They may unconsciously seek control of their weight and body shape as their only means of independent choice
g Teens under stress with an alcohol or drug abusing parent are at risk
g Teens who have low self-esteem and who are depressed may develop eating disorders. They may be especially sensitive to criticism or suggestions that they might be overweight whether or not these perceptions are accurate
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Eating Disorders: Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for Solutions.
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