In the past decade,
a growing number of children and adolescents have been diagnosed with
eating disorders. In a new clinical report from the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP), “Identification and Management of Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents,” published in the December 2010 issue of Pediatrics (published
online Nov. 29), it is estimated that 0.5 percent of adolescent girls
in the United States have anorexia nervosa, and 1 percent to 2
percent meet criteria for bulimia nervosa.
There is an increasing
recognition of eating disorders in males, which now represent up to 10
percent of all cases of eating disorders, as well as in children of
younger ages. A recent analysis by the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality revealed that from 1999 to 2006, hospitalizations for
eating disorders in children under 12 years of age increased by 119
percent. The clinical report suggests pediatricians be familiar with
early detection and proper evaluation of patients suspected of having a
disorder. Because medical complications of eating disorders can
affect any organ system, pediatricians should monitor patients for
medical or nutritional problems, and ensure appropriate treatment
options including medical care, mental health treatment and
nutritional intervention.
###
The American Academy of
Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians,
pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists
dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children,
adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.
