Overview of Teenager Eating Disorders

Millions of people in the United States are affected by eating disorders, specifically young women striving to reach the “ideal” figure.

Common Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa: Approximately 1 percent of adolescent girls develop anorexia nervosa, a dangerous condition in which they can literally starve themselves to death.

Bulimia: Another 2 to 3 percent of young women develop bulimia nervosa, a destructive pattern of overeating followed by vomiting or other "purging" behaviors to control their weight.

Other common eating disorders include exercise bulimia and binge eating. These eating disorders also occur in men and older women, but much less frequently.

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Consequences

The consequences of eating disorders can be severe:

• 1 in 10 cases lead to death by starvation
• Can cause cardiac arrest
• Those with eating disorders have increased suicide attempts

Fortunately, increasing awareness of the dangers of eating disorders, sparked by medical studies and extensive media coverage of the illness, has led many people to seek help. Nevertheless, some people with eating disorders refuse to admit they have a problem and do not get treatment. Family members and friends can help recognize the problem and encourage the person to seek treatment.

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Causes

In trying to understand the causes of eating disorders, scientists have studied the personalities, genetics, environments and biochemistry of people with these illnesses. As is often the case, the more that is learned, the more complex the roots of eating disorders appear to be. Although there is a clear correlation between the portrayal of the "ideal" body in the media and eating disorders, it is not clear why some at-risk individuals develop eating disorders and others do not.

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Get Help

There are many different types of eating disorders with many different warning signs. If you fall into any of these descriptions for eating disorders, do not hesitate to contact your physician or a counselor. If you have friends who might have an eating disorder, please encourage them to seek help—you may save a life!


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