Spotting an Eating Disorder

11:48 AM


For most of us, food is the fuel that keeps us moving and keeps us healthy. We snack when we’re hungry, we enjoy socializing over a good meal, and eating is just one small part of our daily lives. For those with eating disorders, however, food takes on a whole new meaning.
Eating disorders occur when food consumption grows out of control or when worry over weight becomes extreme. An eating disorder may involve eating too little, as is the case for those with anorexia nervosa; for those with bulimia nervosa, it’s often binge eating and then purging or using other methods to get rid of the food.
There are other types of eating disorders, including binge eating. People with this problem lose control of eating, but do not purge or otherwise try to lose weight. Consequently, they are generally overweight, even obese.
Using food to feel in control of one’s life and to relieve stress and anxiety are also aspects of these medical problems.
Eating disorders commonly affect women, often during their teen and young adult years, although problems with food consumption have been observed in children and during later adulthood as well. Men and boys make up anywhere from 5 percent to 15 percent of cases of anorexia and bulimia, and 35 percent of people with binge eating disorder.
Eating Disorders: Symptoms and Warning Signs
While individual eating disorders may differ somewhat in their specific symptoms, there are general warning signs that can indicate a problem. “One possible sign of trouble is a person exhibiting changes in his or her eating habits, like cutting out certain foods from the diet, and maybe playing around with food more at the dinner table,” says Stacey Rosenfeld, PhD, a clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry at Columbia Doctors Eastside and in private practice in New York City.
When it comes to recognizing an eating disorder, keep in mind that there are obvious, noticeable signs as well as more subtle ones.
Obvious eating disorder symptoms and signs can include:
  • A significant drop in weight, a special concern in adolescence when boys and girls should be gaining weight
  • Skipping meals and using excuses like “I’ve already eaten somewhere else” or “I’ll take my breakfast and eat it at school.”
  • Only eating a few foods and consuming them in small quantities, weighing food, and compulsively counting calories
  • Exercising excessively
  • Evidence of using laxatives, diet pills, and even diuretics
  • Possible signs of vomiting after meals, like leaving the table immediately after a meal to use the bathroom or drinking excessively while eating
Subtler eating disorder symptoms and signs include:
  • Playing around with food on the plate in an attempt to make it look like more has been eaten than really was
  • Watery eyes and eventual swelling in the cheeks after returning from purging in the bathroom
  • Thinning hair on the head
  • Growth of a fine layer of hair on the skin of those who are under-eating
Eating disorders are a serious medical illness, and knowing the signs and symptoms is an important first step in recognizing and ultimately treating them. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the better chance for a complete recovery.
Article "How to Spot Eating Disorders Symptoms" by Kristen Stewart and reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH. Read more: http://www.everydayhealth.com/eating-disorders/how-to-spot-eating-disorder-symptoms.aspx
Best Teen Diets recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat or fat-free dairy. We offer nutrition information for teens, parents and educators that emphasizes the importance of healthy eating for peak performance. For more visit www.bestteendiets.org

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