Teens and Adolescents with Eating Disorders
© Heather Mudgett.
While the health reprecussions from any eating disorder can be dangerous, the possible complications which might arise in a young (and still developing body) may be even more concerning.
So, why is there an increase in the number of young people developing eating disorders? The Mirror-Mirror site explains it like this: "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, and they are never happy. Going through puberty early can be very upsetting, especially if the teenager is being subjected to sexual advances. These advances can be so upsetting it may cause them to feel ashamed of their bodies, fear becoming a woman, and they may try to make their bodies go back to a child like appearance through starvation." I recommend that you read the rest of this article, TEENAGERS AND EATING DISORDERS.
At the Ask Noah site a study of pre-pubescent and teenage girls is discussed as follows: "One study of girls without eating disorders reported that before puberty, girls ate quantities of food appropriate to their body weight, were satisfied with their bodies, and depression increased with lower f ood intake. After puberty, girls ate about three-quarters of the recommended calorie intake, had a poorer body self-image, and depression increased with higher food intake. New research suggests that girls as young as ten years old associate being teased or socially victimized by peers with being ugly or fat regardless of their actual physical characteristics. Such poor body images can often lead to eating disorders. It is not surprising, then, that there is a greater risk for bulimia and other emotional disorders in girls who undergo early puberty, when the pressures experienced by all adolescents are intensified further by anxiety-provoking attention on their early changing bodies.
Go To Page: 1 2
