How to detect eating disorders (in adolescents)

Anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders: how to identify these cases?

With the arrival of summer and especially among young people and adolescents, they are related to their physique.These complexes are related to their physique. These can lead to eating problems, extreme and/or miracle diets, destructive behaviors, ingestion of "medicines" ....

In this article we will see some warning signs, not alarm signals, to be able to detect a possible eating disorder in time..

What are the most common eating disorders among young people?

But first we will outline the two disorders that most concern the parents of adolescents:

Anorexia nervosa

It is the refusal to maintain a normal weight according to age and height.. Intense fear of gaining weight even when underweight, distortion of body image and denial of the disease. It usually results in amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods).

Bulimia nervosa

Refers to the preoccupation with food that results in repeated episodes of excessive food intake as well as the practice of extreme measures. of food as well as the practice of extreme measures to control weight (vomiting, laxative abuse, drug use, fasting,...).

We must keep in mind that these disorders do not only come from a bad acquisition of eating habits, but also from a combination of emotional, family, social and cultural factors.

The importance of prevention

Eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia) as well as obesity are problems where prevention is very important in order to avoid them. They are really serious disorders and it is important that we know that their consequences are very negative and affect all areas: personal, physical, social, emotional, discrimination, malnutrition.....

Behaviors and signs that someone suffers from an eating disorder

There are some behaviors and behaviors that can alert us that something is not going well. Here are some warning signs, although if we detect some of them, it is essential not to be alarmed and go to a professional for guidance and advice.

Warning signs (not alarm signs)

• Voluntary restriction of high-calorie foods.
• Decrease or excess consumption of water or liquids.
• Strange behaviors related to the habit of eating: eating standing up, cutting food into small pieces, looking for pretexts to get moving at the end of the meal...
• Increased physical activity or even compulsive exercise.
• Increased study hours
• Decreased hours of sleep
• Irritability and mood swings
• Depressive symptoms
• Excessive preoccupation with weight
• Image disturbance
• Denial of sensations of hunger, thirst, sleep and fatigue
• Disinterest in leisure activities
• Storage of food in different places
• Intensive consumption of sugarless chewing gum
• Excessive consumption of tobacco to reduce food cravings
• Refusal of social meals
• Self-induced vomiting
• Decreased school performance
• Denial of the disease
• Difficulty in concentration and learning
• Feeling of guilt
• Low self-esteem
• Intense social life with intervals of isolation

Guidelines for helping an adolescent with worrisome symptoms

It will be necessary, at all times, to support the adolescent.Let us not forget that the person who suffers from some of these disorders is suffering a very difficult emotional situation and will need the support of their environment and especially their parents and family.

They usually have low self-esteem that makes them feel uninteresting, which creates great insecurity and high states of anxiety. They also tend to have social problems, they may feel isolated, victims of ridicule from friends or under excessive pressure. Parents and families must prevent boys and girls from feeling that their physique is the most important thing in order to develop successfully in society.

Individual, family and social support

Therefore, what parents should do is to promote those factors that will protect the child and future adolescent from these and other disorders:

• Encourage family cohesionto offer good role models, to expose cultural values on body beauty in accordance with health, to promote self-esteem, self-confidence and self-efficacy, to offer social and problem-solving resources, to be aware of and adjust parental expectations.....
• Promote good eating habitsThe knowledge of the need to maintain a good diet and promote self-esteem and self-confidence will be the essential basics. These will be the essential basics.
• Sharing meals with childrenThe parents and the children should share their interest in good nutrition and the parents should be the appropriate role models to follow.

We cannot demand what we do not do, that is to say that if parents eat badly or in a disorganized way, they cannot ask their children to have good eating habits, since it is the parents who are responsible for teaching them the right guidelines.

If we are able to carry out these guidelines and advice, we will be able to help the young person with eating problems. But It will also be essential to have professional support in order to address the causes of the disorder..