Essay Eating Disorders in Adolescents - 1302 Words

Eating Disorders in Adolescents The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are complex psychosomatic illnesses. Underlying biological diatheses related to the regulation of mood, hunger, satiety, weight control, and metabolism, combined with psychological and sociocultural vulnerabilities, place an individual at risk for developing an eating disorder (Kaplan and Garfinkel, 1993). The American Anorexia Nervosa Association defines anorexia as a ‘serious illness of deliberate self-starvation with profound psychiatric and physical components.’ It is a complex emotional disorder that initiates its victims on a course of unsettled dieting in pursuit of excessive thinness (Neuman and Halvorson, 1983).†¦show more content†¦The primary symptom of anorexia nervosa is severe weight loss. While this is one of the major criteria for making the diagnosis, it is believed the 25 percent reduction to be misleading (Neuman, 1983). It is often incorrectly assumed that anorexics were previously obese. While the disorder is often preceded by ‘normal’ dieting, only one-third of anorexics have been overweight and most of these only mildly so. Two-thirds have never been overweight, although they may have been the targets of comments regarding their physical development (Neuman, 1983). Anorexia is often preceded by a stressful life situation. This may range from a family conflict or major changes such as a change in schools, a family move, the loss of a boyfriend or girlfriend, or an illness. Change, in general, seems to be particularly stressful for anorexic individuals. The childhood history of those who develop anorexia typically reveals a ‘model child.’ Many anorexics describe themselves as ‘people pleasers.’ As children, they are often described by parents and teachers as introverted, conscientious, and well behaved. They tend to be perfectionists and compulsive, and thus, overachievers (Neuman, 1983). Depressive, obsessiona l, hysterical, and phobic features are also common with anorexia. Bulimia, also known in the media as ‘bulimarexia,’ ‘binge-vomiting’ and gorge-purging,’ is an eating disorder similar to chemical dependency (Cauwels,Show MoreRelatedEating Disorders in Adolescents1223 Words   |  5 PagesEating Disorders in Adolescents Eating Disorders in Adolescents Introduction Eating disorder in adolescents is a source of grave alarm. An effective definition of eating disorders, as they are evident in school surroundings, describes victim of eating disorder as being extensively anxious and conscious about food, weight, and body shape. This results in being engaged in strange eating behaviors (Gowers Bryant-Waugh, 2004). This paper seeks to investigate the effects of eating disorders on adolescentsRead MoreEating Disorders in Adolescents1468 Words   |  6 PagesEating is a basic survival behavior. To many people eating is a way of life, brining families together, creating relationships and bonds between people and is an expression of feelings and emotions. But there are negative aspects to food as well, such as obesity and other eating disorders. Eating disorders are very dehabilitating and misunderstood disorders that affect an unbelievable amount of the population; they not only put strain on the body, but also on the mind, and often the families of th oseRead More Adolescent Eating Disorders Essay1670 Words   |  7 Pages Adolescent Eating Disorders With children as early as age 7 showing dissatisfaction with their body, and as young as 9 starting dieting, eating disorders are a serious issue in our society. Taking a look at perceptions, behaviors, and medical issues associated with the disorders of anorexia and bulimia, scholars have tried to categorize and find answers to the problems which certain adolescents suffer. 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Emotional invalidation coming from ones parents has been shown to be positively correlated with an increased rate of eating disorders among male and female adolescents. Research conducted by Shisslak et al. (1995) showed that among a sample of university students 91% of the women reported attempting to control their weight through a variety of dieting strategies. There are many factors thatRead MoreThe Risks And The Management Of Adolescents With Eating Disorders1218 Words   |  5 Pagesmanagement of adolescents with eating disorders. The funding provided was supplied by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. The ultimate goal of this research was to educate dental professionals on anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and how to identify the predisposing factors. To begin, Hicks and Roberts start off by start off by telling us that statistically speaking anorexia and bulimia are serious medical conditions that most commonly effect adolescents and youngRead MoreEffects Of Eating Disorders On Children And Adolescents2521 Words   |  11 PagesOverview of Issue Many children and adolescents not only express dissatisfaction with their figure, shape and weight, but also exhibit disordered eating behavior, such as binge eating (eating a large amount of food with a sense of lack of control), food restriction, laxative abuse and vomiting. For children and adolescents, eating disorders can overlap in many instances. As an example, some children alternate between periods of anorexia and bulimia. Eating disorders typically develop during adolescenceRead MoreThe Effects Of Eating Disorders Among Adolescents1847 Words   |  8 Pagesthe past two decades, the percentage of adolescents who are overweight has almost tripled, from 5 to 14 % (Neumark-Sztainer, Story, Hannan, Stat, Rex, 2003). For many, this is an alarming statistic. Studies concerning eating disorders are showing more and more frequency in younger age groups and especially in those who are athletes, diabetics, and obese adolescents (Martin Golden, 2014). Many studies have shed some light on the issue of eating disorders by conducting surveys and developing newRead MoreDepression And Eating Disorders Among Adolescents1819 Words   |  8 PagesDepression and Eating Disorders in Adolescents There are a lot of resources to get food if it is needed by an adolescent such as the school lunch programs, but when they are depressed, eating is a new challenge and adolescent nutritional status is affected by their mental health and depression. Parents and peers are not always aware of what is going on to the adolescent and the depressed adolescent rate can decrease starting with them. When I was a senior in high school, I had fallen in a deep depressionRead MoreEating Disorders Are Affecting Adolescents With Increasing Frequency967 Words   |  4 PagesEating disorders are complex illnesses that are affecting adolescents with increasing frequency [1]. They rank as the third most common chronic illness in adolescent females, with an incidence of up to 5% 1, 2 and 3. Three major subgroups are recognized: a restrictive form in which food intake is severely limited (anorexia nervosa); a bulimic form in which binge-eating episodes are followed by attempts to minimize the effects of overeating via vomiting, catharsis, exercise, or fasting (bulimia nervosa);