Disordered eating can affect children and teenagers in several ways. According to a study, one in five children and teenagers worldwide show signs of an eating disorder. This most often happens when children are exposed to an unhealthy diet and are encouraged to overeat or avoid foods or food groups.
Thus, they end up developing disordered eating patterns that can persist into adulthood. Check out more details!
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Meta-analysis shows situation of more than 1/5 of children
In this research published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers reviewed and analyzed 32 studies from 16 countries and found that 22% of children and adolescents had disordered eating behaviors. The numbers were found to be higher among girls, older teens and those with a higher body mass index, or BMI.
Disordered eating in children and adolescents is similar, in behavior, to an eating disorder, and can lead to physical and mental health problems, such as malnutrition, obesity, eating disorders, growth and development problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other health problems mental.
According to the study, disordered eating behavior may be undertreated because children may hide their symptoms or avoid seeking help due to stigma.
Jason Nagata, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, said: “The prevalence of disordered eating can be even greater if children are asked about binge eating or muscle building symptoms and include studies during pandemic".
Signs of disordered eating in children
The main signs of disordered eating are: obsession with weight or body shape, distorted self-image, strict dietary rules and food compulsion. Other signs are:
- Eating in secret or hiding food;
- Eating too fast or without paying attention to food;
- Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating
- Restricting entire food groups, such as carbohydrates or vitamins;
- Use laxatives, diuretics or other methods to eliminate food;
- Going on restrictive or extreme diets frequently;
- Excessive preoccupation with weight and physical appearance.
The way to support a child or teenager with an eating disorder or disordered eating includes many people, such as psychologists, pediatricians and nutritionists.
If you know someone who has these signs of disordered eating, seek professional help from a nutritionist, psychologist or psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders.
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