Eating Disorder Among Adolescents

EATING DISORDER AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Puberty is the most awkward and uncomfortable stages that every adolescent goes through. Its that time when you’re barely and adult yet hardly a child anymore. At this time many become very conscious of their physical appearance and most teenagers begin to work rather hard to improve the way they look. Unfortunately this is also most often the time when they are prone to various eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and binge eating.

It is thus important for parents of adolescents to carefully monitor whether their children maybe showing eating disorder symptoms. Needless to say, young adults who suffer from a variety of eating disorders deprive themselves of the nutrients that their body needs. In its advanced stages especially if allowed to progress unmonitored, eating disorders can lead to organ failure and dysfunction and could thus be fatal.

Be mindful if your child is becoming overly conscious about their weight and eventually begin to embark on crash diets, occasionally starving themselves and avoiding meals altogether. You may notice excessive weight loss and falling hair due to malnutrition. They may exhibit a sudden interest in dieting, embark on crash diets and even exercise until they tire themselves out and drop. Often those who will tend to vomit and purge out what they’ve eaten will have blood shot eyes from vomiting.

If you do notice these early eating disorder symptoms in your child, slowly and constructively approach them. Help build their confidence and self-esteem. Let them know in so many ways that they are loved and important no matter how they look.