Common Eating Disorders In Teenagers: What Are They? You Should Be Aware!

Eating Disorder is primarily a mental health condition that can profoundly impact an individual’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Eating problems affect the system. The imbalance, a physiological outcome of malnutrition, can be rectified only by changing the diet.

Many diseases frequently have their roots in adolescence. There is no single factor that primarily causes eating problems.

They are behavioral issues characterized by significant, persistent alterations in eating habits and associated upsetting thoughts and feelings. Evidence points to genes and inheritance as contributing factors in why certain people are more prone to eating disorders. The treatment plan should consider dietary, behavioral, psychological, and other health concerns. 

A Journey Into Different Types Of Eating Disorders You Must Know!

Common Eating Disorders in Teenagers

➡️Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is a severe condition with the highest mortality rate. The behavior of dieters with anorexia nervosa is driven by an excessive fear of gaining weight or becoming obese. Even though some anorexics assert that they desire to put on weight and are working toward this goal, their eating behavior does not support this assertion. They might, for instance, only partake in a minimal amount of low-calorie foods and intense activities. Some anorexic nervosa patients also periodically binge eat excessive amounts of food and purge by vomiting or misusing laxatives.

The therapy strategy is assessing and managing any co-existing medical or psychiatric problems. The dietary strategy should emphasize teaching people to overcome their fear of eating and to practice ingesting a variety of foods with various calorie densities at regularly spaced meals. The most effective treatments for young adults include assisting parents in supporting and supervising their child’s meals.

➡️Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder where the victim frequently fluctuates between dieting and sticking to low-calorie safe meals. Large portions of food are consumed over a short time period, and then it is discarded. Esophageal rips, stomach rupture, and risky cardiac rhythms are uncommon but possibly catastrophic problems that can result from binge eating.

Medical surveillance is crucial to recognize and treat any potential consequences of severe bulimia nervosa. This is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder that needs to be addressed. The initial treatment for the condition includes nutritional counseling, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.

➡️Binge Eating Disorder

People with binge eating disorders go through phases where they quickly eat a lot of food, can’t seem to stop and get frustrated by the habit. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases are the primary health problems from binge eating disorders. A diagnosis of binge eating disorder requires a person to partake in binges that feel out of control regularly.

The most successful treatment for binge eating disorder is cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, individually or in groups. Other therapies include several pharmaceuticals and interpersonal counseling.

➡️Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is a relatively new eating disorder. The sufferer develops exceptionally picky eating habits. The different shades of ARFID include avoidant, aversive, restrictive, adult ARFID, and ARFID plus. Children with this eating disorder can be picky eaters with a strong negative impact on their bodies.

The consumption of limited food varieties leads to malnutrition. While some children lack interest in eating, others might experience fear of consumption. Treatment for ARFID involves an individualized plan and may involve several specialists, including a mental health professional, registered dietitian, and nutritionist.

➡️Rumination Disorder

Rumination Disorder is a gastrointestinal disorder that commonly occurs within the time span of 15 minutes after meal consumption. After the meal, people with rumination disorder frequently bring their food back into their mouths, re-chew it, and then either swallow it whole, spit it out, or both. Infancy, childhood, and adolescence are all possible onset years for rumination disorder. The diagnosis can only be made if the degree is severe enough to require distinct clinical attention.

➡️Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders

This category includes people with an average initial weight losing their weight but not yet classified as underweight based on their BMI. Even though they may appear healthy, those with atypical anorexia nervosa who engage in extreme weight-control measures risk suffering adverse medical effects.

Conclusion 

Teenagers suffering from eating problems may experience terrible mental health effects. They frequently result from a confluence of biological, psychological, and environmental elements.

The three eating disorders affecting teenagers most frequently are binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. Discussing the concerns with the teenager is crucial if you suspect they may have an eating disorder. A mental health expert can also be contacted for assistance.

About the Author

Nicole Carter is a dedicated and passionate nutritionist, committed to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals through the power of proper nutrition. With a Bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science and years of practical experience.Nicole Carter is a dedicated and passionate nutritionist, committed to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals through the power of proper nutrition. With a Bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science and years of practical experience

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