For quite some time, researchers have noticed that the majority of teens recognize that they are overly-concerned with how much they eat. To put this into perspective, let’s look at some statistics:
40-60% of adolescents that are at normal-weight believe that they are overweight; nearly 50% of teens report smoking cigarettes to help them lose weight; and approximately 70% of girls admit that body shape is an important factor of their self esteem. [1]
Shatkin. (2009).
Common Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are classified into one of several disorders, but the three most common include: anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; and binge eating disorder.
Each of these disorders will be covered in this module. [2]
American Psychiatric …show more content…
[3] National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Anorexia Nervosa.
AN: Warning Signs
Some warning signs of anorexia nervosa that adolescents should recognize include: dramatic weight loss; preoccupation with weight, calories, and fat content, among other numbers; refusal to eat particular foods, which can ultimately turn into a refusal to eat whole food groups; denial of hunger; consistent excuses to avoid meals or other situations that may involve food; and comments about feeling fat or overweight, even with a rapid loss of weight. [3]
[3] National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Anorexia Nervosa.
AN: Health Consequences
Some of the most important health consequences to recognize include the fact that during starvation, the body is not given the critical nutrients that it needs in order to function properly. Because of this, it is often forced to slow down all of its natural processes in order to conserve energy (since there is so little in the system). The slowing of these process can cause a low heart rate, low blood pressure, lesser bone density, muscle loss, and general weakness. Severe dehydration is also an important consequence, because it can cause kidney failure, fainting, fatigue, dry hair and skin, and hair loss. …show more content…
While those with anorexia nervosa can be classified with the binge/purge subtype, it is important to recognize that the difference between that subtype of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is that those with anorexia nervosa have severe weight loss, whereas those with bulimia nervosa do not. [4]
[4] National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Bulimia Nervosa.
BN: Symptoms
Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include episodes of binge-eating (consuming a large amount of food at one time), followed by actions taken to prevent weight gain (like self-induced vomiting); having a sense of being out of control when binge-eating; and having a self-esteem that is closely related to body image. [4]
[4] National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Bulimia Nervosa.
BN: Warning Signs
Some of the important warning signs of bulimia nervosa include: evidence of purging such as frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, and/or signs/smells of vomiting; excessive and rigid exercise rituals; unusual swelling of cheeks or