Who is most vulnerable?
One of the most stressful times in a persons life is when they enter into adolescence. This is a time when they begin to discover who they are, they are becoming more independent, they are establishing friendships, and their bodies start developing. For many, entering into puberty can be a very emotional, stressful, confusing, and frightening time. Some make the change from childhood into adolescence with only a few minor problems, others however, may have a more difficult time handling the pressures and some may develop eating disorders as a way to cope. Some may enter into puberty early and be subjected to teasing by their peers. Many fear the weight that is gained during this time is permanent, will panic, and desperately try to take the weight off. They are not aware that once the physical changes during this time cease, their weight will usually stable off and go to their bodies natural set point, without the need for dieting. Once they start losing weight, people might compliment them, which would make them feel good. They may start to believe that losing weight will make them happier, but no matter how much weight is lost, it is never enough,
It's common for kids - particularly teens - to be concerned about how they look and to feel self-conscious about their weight. Unfortunately, for a growing proportion of kids and teens, that concern grows into an obsession that causes dramatic weight fluctuation, interferes with normal daily life, and damages vital body functions. You can help prevent an eating disorder by nurturing your child's self-esteem, and healthy attitudes about nutrition and appearance.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Generally, eating disorders involve self-critical, negative thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, and eating habits that disrupts normal body function, and daily life activities. A person with anorexia nervosa typically starves himself or herself to be thin and experiences excessive weight loss, typically 15% below the weight that doctors consider ideal for his or her height and age. In some cases of anorexia, in addition to restricting their food intake kids use purging - by vomiting or taking laxatives - to control their weight. Bulimia is characterized by habitual binge eating and purging. A child with bulimia may experience weight fluctuations, but rarely experiences the low weight associated with anorexia. Both disorders tend to involve compulsive exercise.
It's important to remember that an eating disorder is not just a behavior that a child can control. It is a medical condition that requires professional medical attention and treatment. How serious is anorexia? It couldn’t be more serious – it’s a deadly illness. Parents can’t tackle the problem alone because sufferers will actively work against those trying to help them. Apart from dramatic weight loss, not eating can impair the body’s ability to maintain a normal temperature and heart rate. It can result in brain shrinkage, depression, anxiety disorders, fractures due to weakened bones, and a slowing of normal development. “We have a lot of patients who are growth-retarded,” says Dr Madden. “They haven’t progressed through puberty due to their low weight. And half of them have quite depressive symptoms.”
What Causes Eating Disorders?
What causes eating disorders is not entirely clear, though a combination of psychological, genetic, social and family factors are thought to contribute to the disorder. Some research suggests that media images contribute to the rise in the incidence of eating disorders. Most women in advertising, movies, TV, and sports programs are very thin, and this may lead girls to think that the ideal of beauty is thinness. Boys, too, may try to emulate a media ideal by drastically restricting their eating and compulsively exercising.
And this concern can begin at an alarmingly young age. Research shows that 42% of first to third-grade girls want to be thinner, and 81% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat. Frequently a child who develops an eating disorder has a low self-esteem and often the focus on weight is an attempt to regain a sense of control.
The Effects of Eating Disorders
While eating disorders result from a serious mental and behavioral health condition, they can lead to other serious physical health problems.
A child with anorexia or bulimia may experience dehydration as well as other medical complications. In advanced stages, it can affect the brain and cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, agitation, confusion, inability to concentrate, and loss of memory.
Anorexia may affect a child's growth, bone mass, cause puberty delays, an irregular heartbeat and blood pressure problems, and gastrointestinal problems. The continuous vomiting involved in bulimia can cause tears and severe inflammation of the esophagus, in addition to gastric disturbances, blood pressure problems, and erosion of tooth enamel.
Behavioral problems, such as sexual promiscuity, crime (often shoplifting), and drug and alcohol abuse are more common in teens with bulimia. When kids with bulimia are caught up in a binge eating and purging cycle, they tend to become very impulsive. They feel like they're invisible, or just feel really impulsive and embarrassed to buy some of the things that they want.
