Eating Problems
Children and young people's appetites may change at different ages and this is normal. Some people eat a lot or eat anything, others are more particular. Younger children often refuse to eat certain foods and teenagers may go through food fads. Most of us have tried out different diets at some time in our lives, whether to slim a little or put on some weight, or to improve our health. None of this should usually be a cause for concern.
However, problems with food can develop if the child is going through worry or stress. Children who feel under pressure may lose their appetite. They may turn to food for comfort and eat even when they are not hungry. Their worries about food may be related to their size or body shape, or can be more about their emotions and self-esteem.
Eating problems and disorders often become established during adolescence and should be taken seriously.
When eating problems persist and interfere with a young person’s normal way of life, they may be diagnosed as eating disorders. The most serious are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, as well as compulsive eating. Eating disorders affect many more girls than boys, but boys do suffer from them too.
Anorexia and Bulimia:
Anorexia and bulimia are eating disorders and can lead to other physical and emotional problems.
People with Anorexia Nervosa have an extreme fear of gaining weight. They feel fat even when they have lost so much weight that it becomes obvious to others. They may starve themselves by only eating tiny quantities of food.
They become so preoccupied with their weight and shape, and so distorted in their thinking about food, that it is very difficult for them to accept the need to eat a proper diet.
Nevertheless, they remain fascinated with food and often enjoy cooking for others. Sometimes they may pretend to have eaten when they have not. They may exercise vigorously, use laxatives or make themselves sick in order to lose more weight. A girl's periods may stop or never even start.
People with Bulimia Nervosa eat large amounts of food in binges and then make themselves sick to get rid of the food. They may also take large amounts of laxatives. They may not look overweight or underweight, and because of this their eating problems are often difficult to detect. Continuous bingeing and vomiting can eventually do serious harm to their bodies.
Compulsive Eating:
People who eat compulsively consume much more food than their bodies need over a long period, they use food to comfort or distract themselves. They may become very overweight, which can lead to serious medical problems.
The Signs of Anorexia and Bulimia- Weight loss or unusual weight changes
- Periods being irregular or stopping
- Missing meals, eating very little and avoiding ‘fattening’ foods
- Avoiding eating in public, secret eating
- Large amounts of food disappearing from the cupboards
- Believing they are fat when underweight
- Exercising excessively, often in secret
- Becoming preoccupied with food, cooking for other people, calorie counting and setting target weights
- Going to the bathroom or toilet immediately after meals
- Using laxatives and vomiting to control weight or sometimes other medications/herbal remedies to lose weight