Eating Disorders
Teenagers are at risk for eating disorders. Ninety percent of people who struggle with eating disorders are young women. The most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia is characterized by self starvation or refusal to eat. Weight is not maintained at a level that is healthy for your age, size, height or activity level. People with anorexia have an intense fear of being fat in spite of excessive weight loss.
Bulimia involves excessive eating (binge eating) followed by purging (making yourself vomit, excessive use of laxatives, or excessive over-exercising).
Eating disorders are complex physical and emotional conditions. Eating disorders carry serious, sometimes long term health risks. Some of these are dry skin, thinning hair, bruising, rashes, growth of fine hair over the body, increased sensitivity to cold temperature, and dental problems. In extreme cases, eating disorders can be extremely serious medical situations and can even lead to death.
Some common symptoms of eating disorders are self restriction of food to less than two meals per day and episodes of binge eating, fasting, vomiting, laxative use or excessive exercise. Other symptoms are lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting, loss of menstrual periods, obsessive thinking about your weight, inability to concentrate, difficulty sleeping and depression or mood swings.
Eating disorders require serious professional help but they can be overcome. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, please talk to an adult and seek help right away.
