Disorders of eating habits in adolescents

Weight is an obsession of millions of teenagers today, especially girls. According to the survey, 1 in 7 women have ever had an eating disorder during puberty. Another study a few years ago found that 36% of girls in puberty think they are overweight and 59% of them are trying to lose weight.

More than 90% of people with an eating disorder are girls. Even so, the boy also has concerns about his physique. Many boys strive to get in perfect shape by fasting and forcing themselves to exercise.

What is eating habit disorder?

Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and psychotic anorexia. These are psychological disorders associated with the eating of an overly disrupted child. Children with anorexia will not accept their normal weight and will constantly fast to lose weight. In contrast, children with mania often eat a lot but then force themselves to vomit or use a laxative to get rid of what is loaded into the body.

Children with anorexia are very afraid of gaining weight and often try to reach a weight less than 15% of their ideal weight. Children always believe that their own values ​​lie in their physique.

Anorexia usually begins in late puberty or early adulthood. Children with mania often go in a cycle, first they will load a large amount of food into the body, then they will force themselves to purify the body by vomiting, using laxatives, and gum. pee or exercise for hours.

What is the main cause of eating habits?

Until now, medicine has not found the specific cause of eating disorder. Experts have tried to associate eating disorders with a number of triggers such as family relationships, mental and genetic problems. According to current trends, teenagers are often less satisfied with themselves and wish to have a slimmer body.

When wanting to join a dance group, gym class or track and field group (sports that require players to have a slim physique), some children put on weight, leading to an eating disorder with looking forward to joining that group.

What are the symptoms of an eating disorder that you can recognize?

Children with eating disorders often have many strange manifestations in their eating habits and thoughts and feelings related to eating. Children often have overreacting thoughts of wanting to have a slim body, fear of gaining weight and eventually losing control of their eating. An eating disorder can cause serious mental and physical problems. The following are signs of an eating disorder:

Wrong thoughts about your body shape;

Skipping meals;

Unusual eating habits (such as overeating or not eating);

Monitor your weight regularly;

Excessive weight changes;

Insomnia;

Constipation ;

Dry skin or a rash;

Tooth decay ;

Worn enamel;

Decreased quality of hair or nails;

Get active or enjoy extreme sports.

Children with eating disorders often have negative symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, depression, separate from friends and become sensitive to criticism. The problem is worse when parents do not see these signs in children because children tend to keep it a secret when suffering from crisis, insecurity, depression or feeling self-deprecating.

Safe and effective treatment of eating disorders

An eating disorder can be treated and the sooner it is treated, the better the recovery will be. Family and friends of the child should support and help the child in the treatment process. Parents should take their children to check in hospital when there are any signs of suspicion. You should also teach your child what a healthy diet is and what nutritional misinformation is.

You can take your child to talk to a counselor to help them change the thoughts, feelings and expressions associated with an eating disorder. At the same time help your child know how to cope with stressful issues such as relationships, school, friends ... If you notice your child has any serious symptoms of depression or anxiety, take him to See a doctor, doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment.

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