Anorexia Nervosa: Dying to Be Thin

Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson, and Mary-Kate Olsen are examples of teen idols, who have fallen prey to Madison Avenue seduction. These young women should give us pause when we recognize that our children idolize them. We must ask ourselves two simple questions. The first question is, “What images are being imprinted upon my child that could alter a positive body image?” The second question is, “How can I instill a positive body image in my child and avoid an eating disorder?”

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychological disorder that drives it’s victims to dangerous levels of weight loss by restricting food (calories), over exercising (burning calories) and instituting various behaviors that will inhibit weight gain or promote weight loss. The satisfaction of weight loss becomes the goal that is never reached, since the severely distorted body can never be thin enough. This obsession to be thin can lead to long term health problems and even death. More people die from AN than any other psychological disorder. Sadly, about one half of all deaths associated with AN are the result of suicides, especially in people aged 20-29 (Bauser, 2011).

Some facts about Anorexia nervosa include:

1. About 1:100 girls age 16-18 has AN.

2. The prevalence of AN has increased.

3. Boys account for 5-10 percent of AN cases.

4. There has been an increase in boys, younger children and minority children with AN.

5. Between 1996 -2006, hospital admissions have increased for children under age 12 with AN by 119 percent (Rosen, 2011).

6. In the US, 0.5 percent of adolescent girls have AN (Brooks, 2010).

7. A history of either sexual abuse, physical abuse or a traumatic life event places a child at risk for AN.

8. Family history of eating disorders is common.

In recent years, researchers have been noticing a blending of eating disorder behaviors that are common to both Bulimia and Anorexia nervosa patients. It would appear that there are many children, who do not meet the rigid criteria for either Bulimia or AN. These children are believed to be in greater numbers than AN or Bulimia patients and they are undocumented. This lack of acknowledgement can lead to misdiagnosis, delay of treatment and greater risk for long term problems. These children, who do not conform to the rigid criteria of eating disorders, are referred to as EDNOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified). This partial eating disorder is estimated to reflect 0.8 percent to 14 percent of children (Brooks, 2010).

Here are some signs and symptoms to ascertain if your child has AN, Bulimia or EDNOS:

1. Difficulty eating with others, chronic dieting, erratic meal patterns, avoiding fatty foods, and preoccupation with low caloric intake.

2. Logging on to pro-anorexia websites, poor body image and esteem attitudes, fear of weight gain, and joy when weight loss is accomplished.

3. Physical over-activity, vomiting, weakness, dizziness and menstrual irregularities (skipping at least three periods).

4. Hair loss on head, an increase of arm and leg hair, cold intolerance, dental carries (cavities due to stomach acid eroding tooth enamel) and possibly growth failure instead of weight loss due to malnourishment.

5. Depression; 30-50 percent of AN children experience depression.

6. 60 percent of AN kids experience anxiety.

Parents, friends, teachers and coaches often spot the problem before a medical professional. If your child or someone you know displays these previously listed symptoms, get help quickly. Studies show that the longer an eating disorder pervades, the harder it will be to treat the illness. Long term problems associated with AN include the following:

1. Heart problems

2. Liver damage

3. Kidney failure

4. Bone density

5. Infertility and reproductive issues

6. Endocrine issues like thyroid and pituitary gland problems

7. Brain damage

Many of these listed problems can cause a shortened life span or death.

The good news is that the mortality rate regarding AN has drastically decreased in the last few decades and most treatment of eating disorders involves family based interventions on an outpatient basis. If your child is diagnosed with AN, your primary care physician will also determine if he or she needs medical and nutritional stabilization at a hospital. Once your child is determined to be medically stable, the multidisciplinary outpatient regimen can begin.  

Here are some excellent websites for AN support:

1.  www.Brightfutures.org

2.  www.edap.org  (National Eating disorder Association)

3.  www.nimh.nih.gov  (search: Anorexia nervosa)

Talk to your children about body image, healthy food choices and peer pressure. The best way to deal with eating disorders is to prevent them. After all, Knowledge is power.