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Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Mae Sokol, M.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Creighton University School of Medicine
Director, Eating Disorders Program
Children's Hospital
Omaha, Nebraska
October 31, 2001
Education about the risks of eating disorders is urgently needed for youngsters and those who work with them. This is especially important because research shows that eating problems are quite common in children and adolescents, and that the prevalence of eating disorders may be rising.
Eating problems occur along a spectrum, ranging from normal discontent with body shape and size, to full-fledged eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. In the middle of this spectrum are eating problems such as abnormal eating patterns, poor nutritional habits, food fads, overeating, overly restrictive dieting, over-exercise and food refusal.
Definitions:
Complications:
Eating disorders can have serious medical complications and even cause death. These medical problems include:
Psychological consequences of eating disorders include:
Treatment:
Parents, physicians, teachers, coaches, and others working with youth have an opportunity to help youngsters prevent or correct these problems. The first step is to recognize difficulties with eating, body image and self-esteem.
It is important to help youngsters find a healthy balance in their lives so that they can eat sensibly and develop sound attitudes about nutrition, appearance, and athletic achievement.
With proper intervention, youngsters can be completely relieved of symptoms, or helped to control eating problems and disorders. Parents who notice eating problems in their children should communicate with their youngsters about these concerns. They should also listen carefully and without judgment.
If problems continue and lead to compromise in health, work, school, and relationships, parents should ask their pediatrician or family physician for referral to a child and adolescent psychiatrist with expertise in eating disorders.
How to get more information:
Mae S. Sokol, M.D. is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. For further information about the treatment and prevention of eating disorders in children and adolescents, please contact Dr. Sokol at Children's Hospital:
Posted July 22nd, 2007
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Creighton University School of Medicine
Director, Eating Disorders Program
Children's Hospital
Omaha, Nebraska
October 31, 2001
Education about the risks of eating disorders is urgently needed for youngsters and those who work with them. This is especially important because research shows that eating problems are quite common in children and adolescents, and that the prevalence of eating disorders may be rising.
Eating problems occur along a spectrum, ranging from normal discontent with body shape and size, to full-fledged eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. In the middle of this spectrum are eating problems such as abnormal eating patterns, poor nutritional habits, food fads, overeating, overly restrictive dieting, over-exercise and food refusal.
Definitions:
- Anorexia Nervosa is a disorder in which an individual refuses to maintain a minimally normal body weight, is afraid of gaining weight, and perceives the shape or size of his or her body in a distorted way. Self-starvation and over-exercise are characteristic.
- Individuals with Bulimia Nervosa binge on huge quantities of high-caloric food, and then try to purge their bodies of the calories by various methods including self-induced vomiting, or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas.
- In Binge Eating Disorder, the binges are not followed by purges. Individuals with Binge Eating Disorder or compulsive overeating often become overweight.
Complications:
Eating disorders can have serious medical complications and even cause death. These medical problems include:
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Growth retardation and short stature
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Osteopenia, a deficit in bone density, can lead to pathological bone fractures and orthopedic problems
- Dental decay
- Delayed or interrupted puberty
- Structural abnormalities of the brain. This can lead to cognitive and learning problems.
Psychological consequences of eating disorders include:
- Lowered self-esteem
- Decreased ability to concentrate and learn
- Decreased interpersonal functioning
- Decreased vocational functioning
- Psychological distress in affected individuals and their families
Treatment:
Parents, physicians, teachers, coaches, and others working with youth have an opportunity to help youngsters prevent or correct these problems. The first step is to recognize difficulties with eating, body image and self-esteem.
It is important to help youngsters find a healthy balance in their lives so that they can eat sensibly and develop sound attitudes about nutrition, appearance, and athletic achievement.
With proper intervention, youngsters can be completely relieved of symptoms, or helped to control eating problems and disorders. Parents who notice eating problems in their children should communicate with their youngsters about these concerns. They should also listen carefully and without judgment.
If problems continue and lead to compromise in health, work, school, and relationships, parents should ask their pediatrician or family physician for referral to a child and adolescent psychiatrist with expertise in eating disorders.
How to get more information:
Mae S. Sokol, M.D. is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. For further information about the treatment and prevention of eating disorders in children and adolescents, please contact Dr. Sokol at Children's Hospital:
Mae Sokol, M.D., Children's Hospital, 8200 Dodge St., Omaha, Nebraska 68114, Phone: (402) 955-6190, Fax: (402) 955-6195, Email: msokol@chsomaha.org.
