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Until recently, eating disorders have been rare in younger children. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Both the Westmead Hospital in Sydney and the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne have observed that eating disorder cases have increased substantially in the under-12 age group. Often, an eating disorder develops as a way for an adolescent to feel in control about what is happening in their life. While people with eating disorders focus on food, weight and shape, there are nearly always underlying issues being masked by the eating disorder. As well as addressing the behavioural aspects of the eating disorder, such as restrictive eating, binge eating, or excessive exercising, it is important that the underlying issues are also dealt with. For example, significant life events, such as a divorce or death in a family, might trigger an eating disorder. Adolescents may need counselling to help manage these difficulties, such as issues of loss or feelings of abandonment. Early warning signs of eating disordersAdolescents can become fussy about particular foods or lose weight for lots of reasons. It is important to get any concerns checked by a health professional. Some signs that a young person might have an eating disorder and that should be investigated further include:
Types of eating disordersThe main types of eating disorder include:
Risk factors for eating disordersWe don't know why some older children (aged eight years and over), particularly adolescents, develop an eating disorder and others don't. However, many factors might influence an adolescent to develop an unhealthy eating pattern or to become afraid of gaining weight. These factors may be psychological, social, environmental or biological. Often, a combination of things may trigger an eating disorder in a vulnerable person. Psychological risk factorsPersonality factors that make a person more at risk of developing an eating disorder may include:
Social or environmental risk factorsSocial or environmental risk factors in the development of an eating disorder may include:
Contributing biological factors may include:
Dieting increases the risk of developing eating disordersDieting is common among adolescents and normalised by society, but it is not a healthy behaviour and should not be considered a normal part of being an adolescent. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa can be triggered by dieting. A person who crash diets (severely restricts calories for a period of time), substantially increases their risk of developing an eating disorder. Adolescents should not be encouraged to go on a diet. Boys and girls experience eating disordersEating disorders are more likely to affect females than males. However, about 25 per cent of cases in adolescents occur with males. Girls and boys can experience different social pressures about how they should look. Primary school-aged children are not immune to these pressures, and their attitudes and behaviours reflect adult concerns. Like many adult females, some girls want to lose weight and be thin. Like many adult males, some boys want to lose body fat, but increase muscle mass. Some boys try to meet unrealistically thin ideal standards. Parents and teachers can help prevent eating disordersChildren are great imitators, so parents, teachers and other adults can play an important role to help prevent eating disorders and promote positive body image in young children. Foster a healthy relationship with foodYou can encourage older children and adolescents to develop a healthy relationship with food if you:
Encourage older children and adolescents to feel good about their bodiesThere are lots of ways to help your children feel good about their bodies, including:
Encourage self-esteemA strong sense of identity and self-worth is important to help older children and adolescents cope with life pressures. You can:
Professional help for eating disordersIf your older child or adolescent is preoccupied and unhappy with their body, or seems to be developing behaviours like restricting their eating or binge eating, then professional advice may be helpful. See your GP for information and referral. Where to get helpThis page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
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