We all know how dieting and losing weight is not that easy for everyone. Staying away from your cravings and controlling your appetite can lead to two things. One, with discipline and perseverance, you may succeed and become healthier; or two, your cravings will become too intense to handle, and you may lose yourself and develop binge eating disorder (BED). If the latter happens, it is almost certain that you will develop many health problems and make yourself at risk for more in the future. How do you get through it? Here are proper ways on how to recover from binge eating disorder.

What is binge eating disorder?

BED or binge eating disorder is an eating disorder characterized by compulsive overeating. You may think that ‘if this is the case, then I have BED too since I overeat during the holidays!’ However, binge eating disorder is more than just overeating occasionally. With normal overeating, it happens because you want to eat more. With BED, you overeat even if you don’t feel like eating. You make yourself full even if you already feel that your belly is going to burst. You feel ashamed about stuffing your mouth with food, and even though you want to stop, you can’t.

What causes binge eating disorder or BED?

Even experts couldn’t pinpoint a specific reason for developing such an eating disorder. Their studies just show that more common for women to develop the disorder. Moreover, research showed that obese and highly obese patients have higher tendencies to develop binge eating. However, the findings do not discount the fact that people in their ideal weight groups can also develop BED.

Emotional problems. There are some researchers and psychologists that relate binge eating disorder to the emotional status of a patient. They claim that most patients with BED use food to handle or control their emotions, using them as what others call ‘comfort food’.

Depression. Binge eating disorder also relates to depression. There is an ongoing study that wants to find out if certain brain chemicals or neurotransmitters play certain roles in a patient’s overeating activity.

Hereditary. Doctors and researchers also found out that this eating disorder can run in the family. Maybe seeing someone close to you who suffers from the disorder, thinking that this is customary, makes a person develop the same problem.

Abuse. Emotional, mental, or physical abuse also plays a role in developing BED. Most patients have had instances of abuse in their lives, and have reported getting into many different kinds of addiction, from drugs to alcohol.

How does one get diagnosed with binge eating disorder?

The best way to formally diagnose a person with BED is for him or her to become honest with herself. In order for her to have the courage and seek medical help, she must realize within herself that she is binge eating and it is not normal. The problem is that most patients deny the truth and they try to hide it because of shame and embarrassment. If you think you are overeating against your will, it is best to seek professional help because they can help you pinpoint what caused your problem and how you can overcome it.

Your doctor will ask questions about your eating habits. These would include the amount, duration, frequency, and manner of eating (do you fast or slow? Do you eat alone or with family?). Answer these questions truthfully so the doctor can determine if you are indeed a candidate to have BED.

Your doctor can qualify your BED as:

• Mild if the overeating happens once or thrice a week
• Moderate if you overeat 4 to 7 times a week
• Severe if you overeat about 8 to 13 times a week, and
• Extreme if you claim to overeat almost in every meal (about 14 times a week or more).

How To Recover From Binge Eating Disorder

Now, this topic of binge eating disorder is the most difficult part. If you think diagnosing a person with BED is a challenge, just think about how you can correct such eating disorder. Some have lived with a binge eating disorder for half their lifetime and still have not found a way to battle their demons. There is no perfect formula. Some need therapy and medications, and that is perfectly fine as long as you follow what your doctors instruct you and you do not overdo it yourself. Here, we can also state some ways other people managed their eating disorder so we can share with you ways on how to recover from binge eating disorder.

Self-control

Some swear by willpower, or the ability of a person to psyche himself in doing things on his own. He has to control his cravings and stay away from thoughts about food, eating, and the satisfaction of giving in to your desires. He would not depend on diets because most diets fail, and strictly following a diet plan is like setting yourself to fail.

Analyze your thoughts and feelings

Listen to what your body tells you. Think about what effects do foods have on how you view life in general. Think about what good overeating would do for your body and how bad it is for your overall well-being. Analyze your mood every time you feel like eating too much. Try to identify a pattern and analyze how to find ways to combat highs and lows on your mood.

Change your eating pattern

Start being mindful of how you eat. Slowing down and chewing your food properly not only makes digesting your meal easier for your tummy, but it also takes your mind off from eating more. Sometimes, setting a timer can help if you really are used to eating fast. Let’s say, extending your lunch or dinner from 15 minutes to as long as 30 minutes to an hour is quite an achievement already.

You can also do portion control. Plate your food in such a way that you get to taste all foods that are on the table but in sizes that can only fit to your plate. Do not eat while watching TV or using your gadgets. These habits take your attention away from satisfying yourself with even a small amount of food, making you crave for more.

Eat with company. If you are used to eating in front of the TV and just being alone, try sitting down and have a meal with your family or friends. Start a conversation while eating. This step will allow you to maintain a healthy relationship with your family members and friends. Not only that, it could up your mood and make you feel happier. Moreover, talking is like an exercise to your mouth, and this action makes you feel satiated without overeating.

Go for a walk or rest

How to recover from binge eating disorder? Try walking. If you feel like you need to eat even if you are not hungry, stop yourself and try exercising or sleeping. You can either exert your energy in doing exercises like jogging or walking than stuffing yourself with unhealthy junk foods. You can also try and let yourself rest and sleep off the cravings that you are feeling. Both activities release brain chemicals that control your appetite and improve your emotions and mood. Whichever way is more effective is up to you, just make sure that you do not starve yourself and you do not overdo it. Overdoing it means exercising until you feel your legs and arms will come off your body or oversleeping for more than 8 hours. We all know that all extremes are bad for our health.

Liposuction is widely used by many people today to shape and contour their bodies. Unfortunately, a lot of people still consider liposuction as a weight-reducing method. The problem with this misconception is that it does not guarantee your body to regain its fat back again. Most women get surprised by how they get extra pounds just right after a few weeks of liposuction. In worst cases, this becomes an obsession and eating disorders happen. It is suggested by many surgeons that after liposuction you should eat healthy and exercise so that you won’t experience weight gain after liposuction. What are the reasons behind the weight gain? What does liposuction really do? Stay on this page to know more about the truth with this treatment.

How Does Liposuction Really Work?

Liposuction involves permanently removing fat in a specific area of a person’s body. That part must first get a diagnosis by the surgeon to know if it’s safe to remove the fat. With this procedure, the doctor will know how the person’s body will be shaped as. It is important to remember that liposuction is not any means to lose weight. There are many patients that complain about the end results after a few weeks. The question is not about the procedure, but what happened afterward.

Did I Do Something Wrong?

The main reason that patients gain weight again is due to the natural reaction of the body. In the first to second weeks of the result, the good results are obvious. However, if a person doesn’t maintain the weight, the body automatically fills the areas where the liposuction is not there. This is due to the body’s natural storage process to maintain nutrients and body functioning. Not to mention, there are still lumps of skin tracing from the liposuction. On the other hand, many results mention that the fat accumulated on that certain treated area isn’t as much as before. Hence, it is important to maintain the body’s shape to reduce the chances of getting the fat back again.

Should I Get Liposuction Again?

Are you thinking of redoing your previous liposuction treatment? Just because you experienced weight gain, it doesn’t mean that your previous procedure was a complete failure. A patient should only get liposuction again if they know how to maintain their liposuction results. It is also important to know which surgeon you are going to. A board-certified cosmetic surgeon is the only person you can get the best results from. As the demands for liposuction rose, so were the many businesses that promise good results. Don’t settle for cheap and fast results, check the legitimacy of the clinic to avoid weight gain after liposuction again.

Best Tips To Prevent Weight Gain Again

There is a close connection between liposuction and the storage of new fat after gaining weight. With this intention, the importance of this treatment is to understand how to maintain the body, thus avoiding weight gain after liposuction again. The best way to avoid having this issue again is to follow the post-surgery instructions as mentioned by the surgeon. The first instruction will talk about getting exercise and eating according to the diet plan. The surgeon may get in touch with nutritionists or dieticians to partner with the liposuction treatment. Lastly, an active lifestyle, combining a positive outlook with the regular exercise routine, and not starving yourself will get you the best body shape you desire. Serious body issues and disorders are prevalent due to how weight gain or weight loss is extreme for many people.

Aside from liposuction, there are other plastic or cosmetic surgeries you can prefer like rhinoplasty, facelift, and so much more with your Dr Alan Evans clinic plastic surgeon in Miranda. Just click the highlighted link for more details.

We can never be sure what a person is going through. Many suffer from eating disorders without us knowing. If you do know someone who is battling an eating disorder, encourage them to visit a certified eating disorder specialist. This article will focus on eating disorders and how to deal with them. Go to homedoctorsgoldcoast.com.au and read how a family dietician can help.

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are not self-explanatory. The word “eating” may be in its name, but it is usually the lack of eating that makes up an eating disorder. These kinds of disorders are complex mental health disorders that involve unhealthy eating habits. These eating habits usually stem from the need to have a slim body or an obsession with a certain body type or unrealistic weight goal.

The media and advertisements do not help people with these disorders and many people may develop eating disorders because of the unrealistic expectations of society today. The need to be slimmer, sexier and leaner is always there. People who have a negative outlook toward themselves tend to feel insecure about the way they look. These negative feelings fester and may, later on, develop into full-blown eating disorders. 

How can you tell if someone has an eating disorder?

Many signs can tell you that your friend or loved one may have an eating disorder. They may have concerns about their weight. They are overly conscious about what they eat, the amount of food that they consume. They also may be exercising too much. If they are very vocal about the need to lose weight, when they are not overweight in the first place is a clear sign.

If you know anybody who displays these types of behaviors, you can encourage them to visit an eating disorder specialist. Many of these people are not aware that they have an eating disorder. Sometimes, they will even deny having an eating disorder even when they show clear signs of having it. This is where a certified eating disorder specialist comes in.

Finding a certified eating disorder specialist

These specialists are specifically trained to help people suffering from eating disorders get over their condition. The disorder often comes from a deep negative opinion about the way they look, and the need to look better. Certified eating disorder specialists can help these patients through their mental illness. A doctor can recommend the best place to find a certified eating disorder specialist. These are trained individuals that can help your friend or loved one end their battle with food. 

It is also possible to go to the nearest health center in your vicinity to ask for recommendations when it comes to specialists who can help with eating disorders. The first step toward getting well is admitting that there is something that needs changing. 

There is no perfect body, and one will never reach it by not eating properly. If you know somebody who is suffering from an eating disorder, help them get better by getting treatment.

Eating disorders like anorexia would have serious consequences. This article would focus on anorexia health risks and how to prevent this disorder. Read more about anorexia due to stress.

What is anorexia?

Anorexia is a dangerous eating disorder that affects mostly young women. Men can also be diagnosed with anorexia but it is much more common in women. This disorder would have one of the highest mortality rates because of the effects that it has on the body. If a person would have anorexia, they would restrict what they eat because they would want to achieve the “perfect” body by staying thin. Anorexia would pose significant risks to the entire body, from the skin to the bones to all the organ systems.

Anorexia health risks

There would be several health risks associated with people who have anorexia. Here are the most common.

Amenorrhea. This would refer to the absence of the menstrual cycle for women who are in the childbearing age. The cause of this would be the low body weight of these women. Low body weight can affect the hormones in the body, hormones that would also control the menstrual cycle. 

Osteoporosis. Weak bones would also be a part of having this disorder. Since hormones are affected when the bodyweight will be too low, estrogen is one of those hormones. Estrogen is the hormone that aids in calcium absorption. With too little estrogen, the body will not be able to get enough calcium, making bones brittle and easy to fracture. 

Hypoglycemia. This would be the result of the body not having enough food to produce glucose. There can be many effects of hypoglycemia ranging from irritability to loss of consciousness.

Hair loss. Malnutrition would be the cause of hair loss. When the body does not receive enough sustenance, it would stop doing the unneeded functions, one of these would be for hair to grow. The body would reserve its stored reserves for more essential functions. This would also make hair weak and would cause hair loss.

Bradycardia. This would refer to the low heart rate in people with anorexia. They would also stand to lose a significant amount of muscle mass because of the lack of food they take in.

Lanugo hair. Lanugo hair is usually only found in babies. It would be the small, wavy hair found on their bodies to insulate them in the first few weeks of life outside the womb. As the child grows, the lanugo hair is replaced by a layer of body fat. In anorexia patients, they would not have enough body fat to insulate them, so the body would compensate by growing this type of hair.

Can anorexia be prevented?

It is not yet possible to prevent anyone from getting anorexia because little is known about what causes it. However, if you do know someone who has anorexia, you can help them overcome this disorder by building their self-esteem, encouraging them to go to therapy for the disorder and teaching them about the dangers of extreme dieting.

Everywhere you go, issues about weight and nutrition are becoming more and more prevalent. Obesity has been part of any country’s medical concerns and we can blame so many reasons and causes for this. So let us answer, what is the most common eating disorder in both males and females? What can we do to lessen these eating disorders? For more information, visit the Drhomedoctorsperth webpage and secure an appointment online for guidance and advice.

What is an eating disorder?

The meaning is just that, a disorder concerning your eating habits. Having an irregular and unhealthy way of eating and looking at your body that causes anxiety, panic attacks, and other metabolic problems are ways to describe what eating disorders are like. It can be insufficient or excessive intake of food that can damage a person’s well-being and outlook in life. Visit a medical clinic like Sirius Health Chatswood to get checked immediately.

What is the most common eating disorder in both males and females?

Before we answer that interesting question, let us find out the common eating disorders that everyone may have.

Kinds of eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa. This eating disorder is what other female Hollywood celebrities often have. This disorder is characterized by the fear of gaining weight, so much so that they would refuse to eat anything. Because they are afraid that they can gain weight by eating something, they have to tendency to refuse eating anything at all. Some may hide the disorder by being a very picky eater who only consumes a fraction of what he or she should eat in a day to keep him healthy. Not getting the correct amount of nutrients could be detrimental to a man’s health, and could trigger an illness that can affect any part of the body. Severe malnutrition can lead to brain damage, organ failure, heart problems, and ultimately, death.

Bulimia nervosa. This is a bit contradictory to anorexia nervosa. This disorder happens when a man or woman who is severely conscious of his or her body consumes an excessive amount of food and suddenly feels guilty about it. Because of the guilt and the mental struggle that he has, he will try to remove the food from his system by doing abnormal purging behaviors like forced vomiting, excessive exercise, and even using laxatives and diuretics to flush all food out. This can lead to a lot of gastrointestinal and dental problems since the acids in the stomach can damage the lining of the esophagus and teeth when forcefully allowing one’s self to vomit frequently. He or she can also have dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and the emotional struggle one may have can affect a person’s mental stability.

Binge eating disorder. This is much like Bulimia but without the purging. People who feel depressed or saddened by their weight and body shape would resolve into eating excessively and allowing themselves to gain weight. They let go of their logical reins and just indulge in whatever food they would want to eat, but still, feel guilty about it. Patients with binge-eating disorders can end up suffering from obesity, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and metabolic problems.

What is the most common eating disorder in both males and females?

The answer to this question is difficult to get a conclusion of. But based on the statistics and the number of patients presenting these disorders, binge eating disorder may be the most common eating disorder. This is based on the growing population of obese and depressed patients noting their dissatisfaction with their weight and body shape.

There are new headlines before that said sugar is so addicting to people today that they are already considered the ‘new tobacco’. However, one cannot deny the fact that sugar intake is linked to diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, plaque, and cavities, as well as fatty liver. This is the reason why nutritionists and dieticians alike developed a meal plan and diet that contains very little to no sugar to avoid these medical problems. Here is a quick look at what a sugar free diet plan is like and what benefits it can do to your dental and overall health. If you are currently experiencing dental problems due to high sugar intake, you can visit Southern Smiles in Miranda to get the best dental services.

Sugar free diet plan: Why should I forego sugar?

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), most Americans consume 15 percent of the daily calorie intake needed for a person to have a balanced diet with sugars alone.  This makes them consume more food especially if the sugary treat they ate is not filling or is making them crave more food to eat and indulge in. This results in medical conditions like we earlier mentioned. Researchers show that a cutback from foods rich in sugar gets us back on track to having a balanced and nutrition-filled diet that may lessen our risk in developing these medical diseases and conditions.

How to have a sugar-free diet plan

Take your time. When you want to quit smoking, not everyone can go cold turkey and succeed the first time. Take your time and work around your food consumption little by little. You cannot just follow diet plans suggested by other people because it may not work for you or it is hard for you to pursue. Do your changes in small amounts gradually, and you may advance your restrictions at your own pace.

Read food labels. If you decide to be mindful of what you eat and how much sugar you consume, now is the right time to start making it a habit to read the food labels. You should not just read the brand but more importantly, focus your attention on the ingredients and nutrition facts section. This is where most manufacturers include the amount of sugar their product has, and what added types of sugary components they have. There are different kinds of sugary content that you may read that doesn’t sound like sugar at all, but they are. This includes words like muscovado, demerara, sucanat, panela, turbinado, or piloncillo, and many more. Some dieticians and nutritionists also warn consumers that words ending in -ose such as sucrose, dextrose, galactose, and fructose, come from the same -ose word we typically associate with sugar, which is glucose.

Limit simple carbs. When we think of carbohydrates, we think bread, rice, pasta, and foods made with flour. These foods should also be avoided if you want to follow a sugar-free diet plan. Carbohydrates are known to be the primary energy-giving component of food, but not many people know that for carbohydrates to become energy, they have to be broken down into sugar. Once you consume an excessive amount of carbs, you risk yourself of increasing your blood sugar as well.

Avoid artificial sugar. Some say that artificial sugars are a good substitute for sugar because they are still sweet but have no calories. However, although this may be beneficial for some, it can possibly ruin other people’s diet plan. Why? Since you are still eating something sweet, it tricks the body into thinking that you are still consuming sugar, and you crave harder for something to fix that need for something sweet. The risk of eating a sugary treat becomes more irresistible for you then.

Bulimia is a condition where sufferers binge eat a large amount of food then use a method (typically vomiting) to avoid gaining weight after their binge. The vomiting or removal of the food that has been consumed is referred to as purging. So a bulimic will binge (eat a large quantity of food types in one sitting) and then follow that binge with a purge (vomiting up the food). Many bulimics have distorted self-body images and/or an obsessive desire to lose weight which serves to continue the cycle of binge and purge.

Bulimia is a very serious condition that can become life-threatening if left untreated. Early symptoms of bulimia include dehydration, changes in weight, and swelling in the hands and feet. More serious complications can come later including kidney failure from dehydration, suicidal thoughts or actions, and heart problems such as life-threatening as heart failure. While there are many physical and psychological symptoms and complications associated with bulimia, many are unaware of the damage bulimia can do to a sufferer’s teeth.     

Bulimia has a significant effect on teeth. In fact, it is often dentists who first notice signs of bulimia in their patients who are attempting to keep their affliction a secret. Much of the damage to the teeth from bulimia comes from the purging process. Vomit contains hydrochloric acid which can lead to enamel erosion on teeth with repeated exposure. This erosion typically starts with the upper front teeth as they come in contact with the vomit most frequently. The erosion of the enamel of the teeth leads to an increase risk for tooth decay.

Many bulimics will eventually lose teeth if they are not able to get the help they need. Bulimics are encouraged not to immediately brush their teeth after an episode of purging because the enamel is in a weakened state due to the stomach acid and the act of brushing can further erode the tooth enamel. Instead, bulimics should rinse their mouth out with a mixture of baking soda and water after vomiting. When they do brush their teeth, bulimics should use toothpaste that contains fluoride which is an ingredient known to strengthen teeth. If you or a loved one is suffering from bulimia, please seek help immediately. The damage to your body and your teeth can be reversed, but only if you act quickly.

Some many myths, rumors, and problems surround eating disorders. One of it is affecting oral health. Eating disorder may cause complication such as early tooth loss. You may want to try digital dental implants to replace missing tooth caused by an eating disorder. An eating disorder is a mental illness that affects people all over the world. An eating disorder can affect men and women of any age. Eating disorders are one of the most deadly mental disorders as it kills approximately 1 out of every 7 people who have this mental illness.

Having an eating disorder is classified by a person having a distorted view of their body and an inability to feed themselves properly. Eating disorders include actions where the affected person restricts food, such as in the case of anorexia nervosa, as well as the case where the affected person will binge eat a lot of food and throw it up later on, such as in the case of bulimia.

Both of these eating disorders have physical health-related issues associated with them as a side effect. Such side effects include bone density loss, liver failure, the inability to think, heart problems, hair loss, muscle loss, and many more harmful issues. A common way to heal an eating disorder is by undergoing inpatient treatment at a hospital or rehabilitation center.

When undergoing an inpatient eating disorder treatment, the affected person will be admitted to a specialized course in a hospital or a specialized rehabilitation center. Each patient will be given their room.

During the mornings, a nurse will come in and, after the patient goes to the washroom, will check the patient’s vitals which includes weight, blood pressure, oxygen level, temperature, and heart rate while the patient is wearing a hospital gown. If the patient is in a very low rate weight wise, then he or she will be restricted to bed rest on their first few days of treatment.

After this, physical activity will still be under restriction. Meals will slowly increase in size. These increases will be decided upon by the dietician based on the daily weight gain of each patient separately. Meals will often be the same for a week and given to each patient at the same time. A supervisor will watch each patient consume each meal, mostly in a group setting, making sure that not a crumb is left on their plate. Often, there is a time restriction during eating meals as well.

Vitamins and laxatives might be given during meals as well. If a patient is unable to eat a meal, they will be forced to drink a nutritional drink of equal calories instead. Most inpatient eating disorder treatments have stages where patients can upgrade to with each stage having more benefits such as the last. Also, therapy will be scheduled for each patients’ program duration. This will be done through artistic projects or discussions. When the therapist and the doctor sees fit, the patient will be discharged and will begin outpatient treatment.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by abnormally low body weight, a fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. People with anorexia may eat very little, exercise excessively, and use other means such as purging or using laxatives in an effort to lose weight. Anorexia causes many complications related to starvation and, if untreated, may be fatal. Visit this site to read more information about anorexia. 

Heart problems 

People with anorexia become so thin that their muscles waste away. As the muscles of the body thin and weaken, the muscle of the heart also becomes weak, the chambers enlarge, and the heart becomes unable to pump properly. Because of the enlargement of the chambers, the valves may not close properly. The heart rate slows as the heart does not have the energy to pump faster. Heart failure or cardiac arrest is often the cause of death in anorexia patients.    

Osteoporosis and fractures 

Because people with anorexia become severely malnourished, they have low levels of essential nutrients in their body. One of these is calcium. As the body tries desperately to increase its available calcium, it starts to break down the bones in an effort to free up more of this important mineral. This decreases bone density and can lead to severe osteoporosis. Because of this, patients with anorexia are prone to broken bones, even with only minor injuries and mishaps.    

Infertility 

Both males and females use body fat in order to create sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Women with anorexia may stop ovulating and menstruating due to deficiencies of the major sex hormones, and men may equally become infertile. Both men and women with anorexia may also experience sexual dysfunction.    

Kidney problems 

People with anorexia may suffer from kidney damage. The causes are multiple: a reduced protein intake, abnormalities in blood levels of electrolytes, increased risk of kidney stones and decreased blood pressure due to heart problems all contribute to kidney damage which may be lifelong.    

Anemia 

Anemia is a common complication in anorexia. People with anorexia often consume diets deficient in iron, leaving their bodies unable to make enough healthy red blood cells to circulate oxygen to the tissues. Anemia may stress an already damaged heart, cause skin rashes, and brittle nails, and may lead to breathlessness and fatigue in advanced cases, sometimes even requiring a blood transfusion.    

Anorexia is an eating disorder that can lead to multiple severe complications affecting all the body systems. Some of these complications can cause lifelong illness or disability, even when the anorexia has been treated, and some may result in death. If you think that you, or a loved one, maybe suffering from anorexia nervosa, contact a doctor to get on the path to recovery and prevent any permanent damage.

Anorexia is an eating disorder which causes those affected by the condition to develop an all-consuming obsession with weight and body image. Behavioral patterns revolve predominantly around the overarching goal of weight loss and can result in the subordination of previous interests. With the obsession to lose weight, they only eat or try to avoid a certain type of foods and drinks such as consuming too many sugary drinks to achieve the weight they desire. Although in some cases anorexia in children can prove fatal, early intervention has been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms.     

Types of Anorexia    

There are two types of anorexia.     

• Bulimia Type    

Patients binge on food before purging with laxatives or through self-induced vomiting.      

• Restrictor Type 

Patients place excessive limits on the quantity of food that they consume.     

Causes    

Anorexia’s etiology remains unclear. However, it’s generally accepted that the condition typically starts out as normal dieting and slowly progresses into anorexia. Factors which are thought to influence the condition’s development include;     

• Societal expectations
• Genetic predisposition
• Brain chemical imbalances
• Developmental issues    

Family influences also play a key role. To the extent that a child with a family background of weight problems, physical illness, and mental health issues is at an increased risk of becoming anorexic. Moreover, in cases where families are intransigent and demanding, or interfering and overprotective, the probability of anorexia also rises.         

Who is most at risk?    

Anorexia was a condition which was primarily observed in girls. While girls still comprse the majority of those affected, the gender picture is continually changing. Nowadays an increasing minority of anorexia patients are boys. A similar trend is observable in terms of socioeconomic class. Where once anorexia was exclusively associated with the upper and middle classes, it now affects a broad cross-section of society at large.     

Symptoms    

Symptoms vary from child to child, but can include;    

• Excessively low body weight
• Body dysmorphia
• Overexercising
• Highly ritualized eating behaviors
• An unhealthy obsession with bodyweight
• Depression    

The physical symptoms associated with anorexia closely resemble those of starvation and malnourishment. They can include;    

• Overly dry skin
• Extreme lethargy
• Constipation
• Discolored skin
• Increased sensitivity to low temperatures 

Complications     

Anorexia can potentially lead to a multitude of further health complications. For example, the functioning of the heart and kidneys may be compromised, mild anemia or leukopenia may develop, menstrual periods may stop altogether, or growth hormone levels may drop.     

Treatment    

The precise nature of the treatment that a child will receive depends on a number of factors. Factors which are taken into consideration include;    

• The range of symptoms the child exhibits
• General health
• Overall severity of the condition
• Age    

Typically, however, the treatment of anorexia in children involves a multidisciplinary approach which involves individual therapy and family therapy overlapping with nutritional rehabilitation and with the targeted use of medications.