Adolescents, Children and Eating Disorders
Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating are concerns every parent hopes to avoid. But, when these eating disorders develop, there are some tremendously helpful resources for parents, siblings and other concerned family and friends. Eating disorder treatment is available for children and adolescents on an outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and inpatient level for these young people. Perhaps, most helpful of all, some studies have shown that early intervention in the development of an eating disorder has the best likelihood of long term recovery.
Eating Disorders In Adolescents & Teens Videos
Articles
Fostering Healthy Body Image and Weight in Your Pre-Teen Or Teen
by Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD
Puberty is a tumultuous time in a child's life: the first giant step into the unknown world of adulthood, with its excitement and fears. And no area of puberty and adolescence is more fraught with both promise and worry than a child's changing body image.
Suddenly, after growing slowly and steadily for years, a child approaching puberty rapidly begins to shoot up and round out. In addition, sexual characteristics make their appearance, as hormones trigger breast development, pubic hair growth, and a host of other changes including that hallmark of the teenage years: radical mood swings... Read More
Treating Children with Eating Disorders
Julie Lesser, MD
Ah, the middle school years. For most kids, this is a time for hanging out with friends, exploring new boundaries and becoming a full-fledged teen. But what happens when this period of development is hampered by an uncontrollable fear of gaining weight?
"Eating disorders may take a significant toll at any age, but they're especially dangerous for children ages 13 and younger," says Julie Lesser, MD, Methodist Hospital Eating Disorders Institute. "Changes in diet may impact health more rapidly in children than in adults. Not only are they still growing, but children require adequate fuel to be active, especially if they are participating in organized sports. If they develop an eating disorder, they may become malnourished very quickly."... Read More
Parent Interview Audio Recording
Audio Interview with a parent of a teen struggling with an eating disorder and eating disorder treatment expert - Abigail Natenshon, MA, LCSW, GCFP
Jim is the father of a young woman who is recovering from an eating disorder. He conducted this phone interview as part of the research he was gathering for a book his family is writing about their eating disorder recovery experience.