When are children likely to develop eating disorders?
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RealAge answered:Eating disorders peak during puberty and the late teen/young adult years, but symptoms can occur earlier. The vast majority of sufferers are teen girls and young women, though adolescents and boys can get caught up in it. Denial is common in parents as well as kids, so don’t convince yourself that your child is just “going through a phase.” Seek professional help as soon as you notice any symptoms. Delaying could make the road to recovery harder. Eating disorders are very serious but they’re also treatable.
From The Smart Parent's Guide: Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, and Accidents by Jennifer Trachtenberg.
Find out more about this book: The Smart Parent's Guide: Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, an...
Eating disorders peak during puberty and the late teen/young adult years, but symptoms can occur earlier. The vast majority of sufferers are teen girls and young women, though adolescents and boys can get caught up in it. Denial is common in parents... More -
Ninety to 95 percent of those who develop an eating disorder are female. They are most often between the ages of 12 and 25. However we are now seeing more children under the age of twelve developing eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa and compulsive eating are the most common in young children, but there are cases of bulimia being reported too. An estimated that 40% of nine year olds have already tried dieting and we are beginning to see four and five year olds expressing the need to diet? The family environment has a lot to do with eating disorder development, along with the fact that children are constantly being exposed to the message society gives about the importance of being thin.
Ninety to 95 percent of those who develop an eating disorder are female. They are most often between the ages of 12 and 25. However we are now seeing more children under the age of twelve developing eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa and compulsive... More -
Ninety percent of eating disorders are typically diagnosed in teenagers, but some cases are diagnosed in youngsters under the age of 10. Puberty, more independence, preoccupation with peer acceptance and their own body image, more mobility and time spent outside the home increase teenagers' risk for the development of eating disorders. Other factors such as violence, family stresses and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also increase prevalence. The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 61% of high school girls and 32% of high school boys were actively trying to lose weight, and the World Health Organization reported that 47% of 11- year-old girls and 34% of 11-year-old boys were either dieting or contemplating dieting, which could put them at risk for developing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other unspecified eating disorders.Ninety percent of eating disorders are typically diagnosed in teenagers, but some cases are diagnosed in youngsters under the age of 10. Puberty, more independence, preoccupation with peer acceptance and their own body image, more mobility and time... More
