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While they existed for centuries, our modern appearance-based society has certainly placed eating disorders in a new light. While adults also suffer from eating disorders (the tragic case of Karen Carpenter comes to mind), teens are particularly at risk for them.

Social pressures seem to play the biggest role in eating disorders. Teens feel a need for acceptance, to “fit in.” Popular culture, with its waiflike models, buffed actors, and navel-baring singers, is very persuasive, using TV and fashion magazines to sell a “thin is in” image. Rather than addressing health problems associated with obesity, this image creates the notion that to be successful, happy, or even normal, one must be thin.

Types

Anorexia is unnecessary dieting resulting in a substantial loss of weight. An anorexic believes they are too fat, even when they are not. Obesity is a national problem with significant health risks, but anorexia poses great risks as well. One of every six anorexics will die from this disorder. Dieting can be healthy, but excessive dieting, or anorexia, is not.

Bulimia is a disorder based on binge/purge phases of eating. Binge phases can involve excessive eating, or an individual may consider eating certain “sin foods” to be a binge. The purge phase certainly includes vomiting, but also can be typified by overuse of diet pills or laxatives. Fasting and over-exercising are other purging methods. In extreme cases, bulimics use enemas to rid their bodies of unwanted food.

Binge Eating can be thought of as bulimia without purging. Bingers feel helpless to stop their eating sessions, and then feel depressed afterward, not to mention stuffed. Persons suffering from Binge Eating Disorder are likely using food as a “crutch”—something to help them deal with stress or depression. Obesity is a usual result of binge eating. With professional help, and knowledge of the underlying reasons for binges, this disorder can be held in check.

Signs

Parents need to be alert for warning signs that their teen may have an eating disorder. Some are more specific than others. Baggy clothes, for example, are a fashion trend and not always worn to hide weight loss. The following indicators differentiate between general signs and those which should raise a “red flag”.

Specific things to look for:

• Recognizable loss of weight (not related to an illness).
• Indications of vomiting, use of diet pills or laxatives.
• Regular trips to the bathroom right after eating.
• Fixations with calories, diet foods.
• Worrying about being fat, always checking weight.
• Cooking meals for family and not eating any.
• Odd or mysterious eating habits.
• Relating self-esteem to food consumed.
• Intermittent menstruation or lack thereof.
• Acting uncomfortable about eating, not wanting to dine out.
• Physical symptoms like glandular swelling, ruptured blood vessels, dizziness, or fainting.

Other indicators:

• Perfectionist attitude.
• Keeping more to themselves, secretiveness.
• Pasty complexion.
• Extreme amounts of exercise.
• Depression, moodiness.
• Always tired.
• Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss.
• Headaches, chills, malaise.

These other indicators are not automatically indicative of an eating disorder, but could stem from another health issue. If more specific symptoms of an eating disorder are present, it is more likely these lesser indicators are related to it also.

Handling Eating Disorders

Proactive parenting is the best way to handle eating disorders. Deal with them before they become a problem.

Teach your children early to be proud of who they are. Many teens choose pop culture celebrities as role models. Try to impress upon your children that role models should be respected for their contributions to society as a whole, and not for their looks. Explain that the “perfect body” put forth by magazines and television is an attempt to sell ad copy. Let them know it is unrealistic (and likely unhealthy) to want this look.

Social pressures to “fit in” are enormous for teenagers. Encourage your children to be their best, and if they fall short of perfection, it is to be expected. Tell them to be happy with their own unique image and style, “warts and all” so to speak. Coupling this with knowledge of why mass media plugs the “perfect image”, will make your teen less apt to respond the pressures to “fit in.”