Children and Eating Disorders Essay - 3109 Words

Children and Eating Disorders In the past few decades researchers have focused on eating disorders, the causes of these disorders and how they can be treated. However, it has mainly been in the last decade that researchers have started looking at eating disorders in children, the reasons why these disorders are developing at such a young age, and the best recovery program for these young people. To understand this growing problem it is necessary to ask a few important questions: Is there a relationship between family context and parental input and eating disorders? What effect do mothers who suffer or have suffered from an eating disorder have on their children and specifically their daughters’ eating patterns? What is the best†¦show more content†¦Other common features include self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, excessive exercising, distorted body image, and morbid preoccupation with energy intake. Physical findings include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, hypothermia, poor peripheral circulation and even circulatory failure, cardiac arrythmias, hepatic steatosis, and ovarian and uterine regression (Bryant-Waugh and Lask, 1995). CAUSES AND PREDICTORS OF EATING DISORDERS IN CHILDREN Eating disorders in children, like in adults, are generally viewed as a multi-determined syndrome with a variety of interacting factors, biological, psychological, familial and socio-cultural. It is important to recognize that each factor plays a role in predisposing, precipitating, or perpetuating the problem. In a study by Marchi and Cohen (1990) maladaptive eating patterns were traced longitudinally in a large, random sample of children. They were interested in finding whether or not certain eating and digestive problems in early childhood were predictive of symptoms of bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa in adolescence. Six eating behaviors were assessed by maternal interview at ages 1through 10, ages 9 through 18, and 2.5 years later when they were 12 through 20 years old. The behaviors measured included (1) meals unpleasant; (2) struggle over eating; (3) amount eaten; (4) picky eater; (5) speed of eating (6) interest in food. Also data on picaShow MoreRelatedEating Disorders Among Children And Teens1216 Words   |  5 PagesEating disorders in children and teens cause serious changes in their health. Eating disorders are characteristics and cause by eating behaviors, also people with this disorder use eating, purging or restructuring with their issues. Eating disorders is divided in to three parts as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, compulsive overeating, etc (Eating Disorders,n.d.).Eating disorders can overlap between and alternate of anorexia and bulimia. Eating disorders around the adolescence, but it can also startRead MoreEffects Of Eating Disorders On Children And Adolescents2521 Words   |  11 PagesOverview of Issue Many children and adolescents not only express dissatisfaction with their figure, shape and weight, but also exhibit disordered eating behavior, such as binge eating (eating a large amount of food with a sense of lack of control), food restriction, laxative abuse and vomiting. For children and adolescents, eating disorders can overlap in many instances. As an example, some children alternate between periods of anorexia and bulimia. Eating disorders typically develop during adolescenceRead MoreThe Effects Of Eating Disorders On Children And Young Adult Adults998 Words   |  4 Pagesor laxatives.† (nationaleatingdisorders.org). Eating disorders are an exceedingly serious illness that anyone can suffer from, and can lead to death. 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Essay1640 Words   |  7 Pageslead to the development of an eating disorder. The reasons why some people develop eating disorders range from peer-pre ssure to depression. The number of people with eating disorders seem to be growing as time passes. This leads to an important question. Is there an effective way to solve and put a stop to others developing an eating disorder? The solution to decrease the amount of people that have an eating disorder could be to raise awareness about these disorders to parents to help them know theRead MoreEating Disorders : Eating Disorder1031 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The eating disorder is a very jealous and abusive partner. It requires a lot of devotion in the extent that you have to devote yourself to tending to the anorexia. There s not a lot of time left over for adult life,† was stated by Dr. Doug Bunnell, a specialist in eating disorders. Eating disorders effect a variety of people. Age, race, and gender aren’t role playing keys in eating disorders. 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(2015) used the eating disorder status of the children and their parental mental illness informationRead MoreEating, Bipolar and Anxiety Disorders1145 Words   |  5 PagesIn 2010, eating disorders had a reported 7,000 deaths each year. Not only this, but 3%-5% of children under the age of 18 have an anxiety disorder. Also 15% of all bipolar disorder patients have committed suicide. Eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorders are all prevalent today throughout all ages. Even middle schoolers. Eating Disorders Eating disorders are abnormal eating habits that usually involve eating too little or too much food to the harmful point of both physical andRead MoreEating Disorders in Adolescents1468 Words   |  6 PagesEating is a basic survival behavior. To many people eating is a way of life, brining families together, creating relationships and bonds between people and is an expression of feelings and emotions. But there are negative aspects to food as well, such as obesity and other eating disorders. Eating disorders are very dehabilitating and misunderstood disorders that affect an unbelievable amount of the population; they not only put strain on the body, but also on the mind, and often the families of those