Eating disorder problems are also affecting children. The dangerous side to it is that not too many parents and even doctors are aware of it. Often, eating disorder is associated with young adults and adults who tend to regulate eating abnormally to achieve weight loss goals. Children could also exhibit signs of suffering from eating disorder problems. Unfortunately, such problems are not often taken seriously unless the condition leads to life-threatening events.
Many cases of eating disorder in children are left undiagnosed until the condition has taken hold, often with very disastrous consequences. This could be because there are significant gaps in awareness within the community and health-care system levels. The problem could also be worsened with generic diagnostic tools that often lead to misdiagnosis. The main and exact reason behind eating disorder problems in children remains a mystery these days. It could be that at early ages, children are now becoming aware that obese and overweight people are not looked at with admiration and respect by the society in general.
There is another interesting twist to this issue. A published research in Medical Journal of Australia in 2009 has found that more boys are experiencing eating disorder problems than girls of the same age. Such conditions remain undiagnosed until such boys are subjected to really serious and possibly life-threatening complications. Worse, most doctors do not expect that boys would have such problems because traditionally, males are not conscious and caring much about vanity. The times have really changed.
Take note that experts underline the fact that serious complications could be effectively avoided if eating disorder problem is diagnosed and dealt with early. Children who are treated properly for eating disorder have about 70% to 80% more chances of getting completely healed in a year. About 90% improve conditions in five years. In contrast, a typical adult could have a recovery rate of just about 50% in five years.
Moreover, eating disorder is not all about food. Dieting and eating disorder behaviors are often coming along with anxiety and stress. There are suspicions that children with higher stress levels are more vulnerable to the temptations of unnecessary dieting and weight loss. Media messages have been proven to make matters worse because young children are getting the impression that beauty and social acceptance is synonymous to appearance and ideal weight. This must be dealt with accordingly.
Many cases of eating disorder in children are left undiagnosed until the condition has taken hold, often with very disastrous consequences. This could be because there are significant gaps in awareness within the community and health-care system levels. The problem could also be worsened with generic diagnostic tools that often lead to misdiagnosis. The main and exact reason behind eating disorder problems in children remains a mystery these days. It could be that at early ages, children are now becoming aware that obese and overweight people are not looked at with admiration and respect by the society in general.
There is another interesting twist to this issue. A published research in Medical Journal of Australia in 2009 has found that more boys are experiencing eating disorder problems than girls of the same age. Such conditions remain undiagnosed until such boys are subjected to really serious and possibly life-threatening complications. Worse, most doctors do not expect that boys would have such problems because traditionally, males are not conscious and caring much about vanity. The times have really changed.
Take note that experts underline the fact that serious complications could be effectively avoided if eating disorder problem is diagnosed and dealt with early. Children who are treated properly for eating disorder have about 70% to 80% more chances of getting completely healed in a year. About 90% improve conditions in five years. In contrast, a typical adult could have a recovery rate of just about 50% in five years.
Moreover, eating disorder is not all about food. Dieting and eating disorder behaviors are often coming along with anxiety and stress. There are suspicions that children with higher stress levels are more vulnerable to the temptations of unnecessary dieting and weight loss. Media messages have been proven to make matters worse because young children are getting the impression that beauty and social acceptance is synonymous to appearance and ideal weight. This must be dealt with accordingly.
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