Eating Disorders in Adolescents

Eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness. They are particularly prevalent in adolescent females and the numbers have risen dramatically over the past thirty years. These disorders in eating behavior must be corrected as early as possible since they can lead to the development of illnesses affecting normal growth and development, both physically and psychologically.

There are two categories of eating disorders. These are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is a disorder in which the intake of food is severely limited. In bulimia nervosa, the adolescent binges on food and then tries to minimize the effects of overeating. She may do so by forcibly vomiting, fasting, or over exercising.

Adolescent eating disorders must be handled differently from adult eating disorders. This is due in part to the fact that adolescents face problems including growth retardation, suppressed height, abnormal weight, pubertal delay, menstrual period absence, and menses unpredictability. Other problems may include critical tissue component loss such as loss of body fat, muscle mass and bone mineral. Nutritional imbalance is also reflected in abnormalities in the levels of vitamins, minerals and other trace elements.

It is important to diagnose adolescent eating disorders as early as possible. Eating disorders can also lead to impaired acquisition of peak bone mass in adolescents. As they age, this problem leads to osteoporosis. Internal organs are also affected by eating disorders. All of these problems can be prevented by early intervention in order to limit, prevent and ameliorate medical complications, which can become life threatening.

Adolescents practicing unhealthy weight control measures and who are obsessed about their figure, weight and food or exercise should be treated clinically. Not only should the symptoms be assessed, but their duration, intensity and frequency should also be monitored. Although most of the physical complications caused by eating disorders are solved with the help of nutritional rehabilitation, some of the conditions become irreversible with dangerous long term consequences. It is best if the eating disorders are recognized in the early stages. The medical monitoring should continue until the adolescent returns to appropriate psychological and medical health.

Eating disorders can also result in psychological abnormalities in addition to the physical health problems. Adolescents with eating disorders often develop social isolation, low self esteem, affective disorders, low self concept, substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. Oftentimes adolescents may resort to unhealthy eating habits as a way of coping with depression and lack of knowledge about effective techniques to lose weight. So these adolescents also need to be assessed for psychiatric illness. Early intervention and treatment will have an improved outcome for the health of your adolescent.


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