Fighting eating disorders

Eating disorders are now affecting 8,000,000 people in the United States and 90% of them are women who are from every socioeconomic group. Research shows that 42% of first through third graders would like to be thinner and 81% of ten year olds are afraid they will be fat. Adolescents can develop eating disorders from ages 13 to 17 years old but it can be as young as 8 years old.

Adolescence is a time of emotional and physical changes in the body which can make them very vulnerable to eating disorders. This age group also faces academic stress and pressure from their peers to meet a certain standard to belong to their peer group. There is also the influence of the media and sports programs that influence their physical appearance.

Anorexia and Bulimia

The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Individuals with anorexia have an extreme fear of weight gain. They have a distorted view of their body size and will restrict food intake or exercise excessively. They will eat a minimal amount of calories and then obsess over what they have eaten. Bulimics will binge eat and then force themselves to vomit, use laxatives, or exercise excessively. Both are very similar but anorexics are very thin and underweight while the bulimic is a normal weight or can be over weight. Eating disorders will usually coincide with anxiety, depression, stress and substance abuse. They can also cause serious health problems that can lead to malnutrition and even death.

Treatment

Dr. Daniel le Grange of the University of Chicago has completed the first study in the United States on evaluating the treatment of eating disorders. His team found that family-based treatment was more effective than individual psychotherapy. Getting the family involved to support the adolescent was essential to the individual learning healthy weight-control behaviors.

If your adolescent is concerned about their weight you should avoid power struggles over food. Instead create a healthy lifestyle for your family. Involve them in planning and preparing healthy meals. Then make exercise a fun family activity that everyone can enjoy. If your adolescent continues to obsess about her appearance and weight then family counseling could be a positive intervention for your child.