Adolescent Eating Disorders

 

Adolescent Eating Disorders

Proper nutrition is essential for the normal growth and development of adolescents, as this is the period when bones grow rapidly. Therefore, a well-balanced diet is crucial and should be regularly monitored and adjusted according to the changing needs. Unfortunately, many teenagers develop eating disorders that have a detrimental effect on their health. Early intervention is vital as these disorders can lead to complex medical conditions. Eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness, especially among adolescent females, and the number of cases has increased significantly over the past three decades.

There are two subcategories of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa involves severe food restriction, while bulimia nervosa involves bingeing on food and then attempting to mitigate the effects through forced vomiting, fasting, catharsis, or excessive exercise. Adolescent eating disorders must be managed differently from adult eating disorders because adolescents experience problems such as growth retardation, suppressed height, abnormal weight, pubertal delay, menstrual irregularities, and unpredictability.

Adolescents lose critical tissue components during growth, such as body fat, muscle mass, and bone mineral, which can lead to nutritional imbalances reflected in abnormal levels of vitamins, minerals, and other trace elements. Protein and calories are essential for adolescent growth, so it is important to monitor their intake. Failure to address these problems can have long-term consequences that can affect healthy adulthood. It is crucial to diagnose adolescent eating disorders as early as possible to prevent medical complications that can become life-threatening.

Adolescents who practice unhealthy weight control practices or obsess about their figure, weight, food, or exercise should seek clinical treatment. Symptoms, duration, intensity, and frequency should all be evaluated, and medical monitoring should continue until the adolescent returns to appropriate psychological and medical health. Eating disorders can lead to not only physical abnormalities but also psychological problems, such as social isolation, low self-esteem, affective disorders, low self-concept, substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. Depression and lack of knowledge about effective weight loss techniques are common causes of unhealthy eating habits in adolescents. Patients with eating disorders should also receive treatment for psychiatric illnesses if necessary. Even if the habits do not meet strict diagnostic criteria, adolescents who limit food intake, binge, vomit, or purge, with or without severe weight loss, should be monitored due to the risk of even death. Early intervention can improve outcomes, but the level of intervention in adolescents should be less than that in adults.