What is an eating disorder?
There are several types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating. A person with an eating disorder has an unhealthy relationship with food, including psychological issues surrounding food, weight and/or body image. Anxiety and depression commonly co-exist in a person with an eating disorder—almost 50 per cent of people with an eating disorder also experience depression, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD).
A survey conducted by ANAD found that 95% of students with anorexia were between the ages of 12 and 25. The study also found that over one-half of teenage girls and one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviours, including smoking, skipping meals and using laxatives.
Signs and Symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes
- Stunted growth in children
- Low blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Hair thinning and loss
- Poor immune system
Treatment
Eating disorders are treatable through therapy and medical counselling. Meal plans are often created for people recovering from an eating disorder and are tailored for their specific needs. Though eating disorders can be treated, they are often something that those who have struggled with will have to cope with for the rest of their life. That said, with the proper treatment, teens with eating disorders are able to thrive.
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