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Anorexia

What is anorexia?

People with anorexia have a distorted image of their bodies and such an intense fear of becoming fat that they hardly eat and become dangerously thin. Many people with anorexia also vomit and overexercise, and they may abuse diet pills to keep from gaining weight. If the condition gets worse, they can die from suicide, heart problems, or starving to death.

People with anorexia focus all of their energy on staying thin. Much of their time is spent thinking about food. For example, people with anorexia may

  • Eat only a small number of "safe" foods, usually those low in calories and fat.
  • Cut up food into tiny pieces.
  • Spend more time playing with food than eating it.
  • Cook food for others but not eat it.
  • Exercise compulsively.
  • Wear baggy clothes to hide their bodies, or complain that normal clothes are too tight.
  • Spend more time alone and isolated from friends and family.
  • Become more withdrawn and secretive.
  • Seem depressed or anxious.
  • Have a decrease in activities, motivation, or energy level.
  • Do things to keep their minds off their hunger, such as chewing food 30 times before swallowing.

Effects of anorexia

Over time, anorexia can lead to kidney and liver damage, bone damage, and heart problems. When the body is starved of food, many physical changes occur like

  • The constant feeling of being cold because the body has lost the fat and muscle it needs to keep warm. (People with anorexia may exercise even more to try to get warm).
  • Dizziness, fainting, or near-fainting.
  • Bones sticking out and skin shrinking around the bones. The stomach may look like it's sticking out (often causing anorexics to think they're still fat).
  • Hair loss.
  • Brittle hair and fingernails.
  • Dry and rough skin.
  • Menstrual periods stopping (or not starting at all if a girl developed anorexia before her first period). This condition is called amenorrhea.
  • Stomach pain, constipation, and bloating.
  • Stunted growth that could be permanent.
  • Anemia (low red blood cells) causing tiredness, weakness, and dizziness.
  • Loss of sexual function in boys.

Treatment

The earlier an eating disorder is recognized, the higher the chances are of treatment working. Treatment depends on many things, including the person's willingness to make changes, family support, and the stage of the eating disorder.

Successful treatment of eating disorders involves a team approach. The team includes many health care professionals working together, each treating a certain aspect of the disorder. Treatment should begin with a visit to a pediatrician to see how the eating disorder has affected the body. If the effects are severe, the person may need medical treatment or even need to be hospitalized.

In treating anorexia, increasing the person's weight is crucial. If this person refuses to eat, hospitalization may be needed so that adequate nutrition can be ensured.

Counseling is an important part of treatment. Counseling helps people with eating disorders understand how they use food as a way to deal with problems and feelings. It helps them improve their self-images and develop the confidence to take control of their lives. Family therapy usually is needed to help family members understand the problem, how to be encouraging and supportive, and how to help manage the symptoms. Nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian also is recommended to assist patients and families in returning to healthy eating habits.

Living with an eating disorder is very hard on teens and their families! The wear and tear on the body is tremendous. Without help, a person with an eating disorder can have serious health problems, become very sick, and even die. However, with treatment, a person can get well and go on to lead a healthy life.

 

Published online: 3/07
Source: Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia (Copyright © 2005 American Academy of Pediatrics)

Healthcare professionals may order this publication in multi-copy packs.
Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your Teenager. To order a copy of this book visit the AAP Bookstore.
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The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.



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