Eating Disorders In Children

There are various adults who are suffering from eating disorders like Bulimia and anorexia because they are obsessed with the idea of losing weight and staying healthy. But what comes as more shocking news is that even children are getting affected by these kinds of disorders, which is a big reason for worry. The children are at a growing stage and hence the require more nutrition and health care and any kind of eating disorder affecting them could lead to health related problems.

It has been seen that like adults, even children are prone to the pressures of media stereotypes where being rake like is the norm. Those who are deviating from this norm are targeted as being over weight and even healthy weight is often taken for being over weight. Usually it would also seem that if a parent close to them has suffered an eating disorder then the child is more likely to contract the disorder. This happens because children usually look up to parents for inspiration.

Also there are various areas of competition that leads to various kinds of health problems and disorders. There is a general association of anorexia with girls but it is becoming more and more common in boys also. It has been seen that children do not want to stray from the so called "norm" and have a feeling of being over-weight or fat. Hence this is also the reason that children or teens with anorexia may also try to hide their problem by binge eating with subsequent purging. This kind of eating problem could also develop into a bulimia condition.

There is an eating disorder in children, which may be more likely to develop by those that have suffered abuse whether it was physical, mental or sexual. There are various kinds of reasons for children suffering from these kinds of problems and eating disorders but it is suggested that parents and teachers should keep their eyes open for looking out for such kinds of symptoms in them. There are many children whoa are being treated for eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia and the rates are rising.

It has also been noticed lately that hospitals are getting calls from frantic parents who can't get their elementary school-aged children to eat. This can actually lead to a big problem because nutrition is vital for the growing children and their not eating could affect their mental and physical growth also. There has been an increase in the rate of adult eating disorders along with the children not eating also.

Some of the most common reasons for these kinds of eating disorders are the change of pace of modern life where students are made to make decisions at a younger age. Thus ignorance about these kinds of matters often leads to the children handing their nutritional habits and thus leading to various kinds of health problems also. It should be remembered that the children not eating can lead to various health ailments and for avoiding and preventing these problems an awareness of these eating disorders is required immediately.

• John Palsson
• 21/11/2008, 12:09 AM
• 0 Comments