
Eating disorders have been found in adolescents (teenagers) are very common these days whose food choices are influenced by society’s pressures or to have the ideal body look (shape).
Anorexia Nervosa or AN- these are the people who are obsessed with their figures avoid meals in fact they will stop eating meals. In other words, it is characterized by severe restriction of food intake due to an intense fear of gaining weight. In this there is significant weight loss and low body weight common result in distorted body image and pre occupation with thinness. Here person have restricted eating patterns and refusal to maintain a healthy weight it could be potential for life threatening such as organ failure or osteoporosis.
Symptoms – Dizziness, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, poor concentration or focus, shortness of breath, bloating, abdominal pain, muscle weakness. Reason- Weight Obsession
Next is bulimia nervosa- in this a person either will not have a meal or if he has a meal, he will do over eating which will result in vomiting. In other words, it involves recurrent episodes of binge eating and it is often accompanied by a sense of loss of control. Due to over eating and along with the guilt of eating too much their behaviour include self-induced vomiting excessive exercise or misuse of laxatives. In these persons weight fluctuations are common but they can relatively maintain a normal body weight. Severe dental problems, electrolyte imbalances or gastrointestinal issues can happen, apart from these swollen cheeks or aur swollen jawline, scars, scraps on your knuckles, irregular menstrual periods, muscle weakness, blood short eyes, dehydration can occur if somebody is suffering from Bulimia nervosa.
It can lead to hard failure, kidney disorder, there can be nutritional deficiency, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke, certain cancer, gallbladder disease, depression, and anxiety.
The first and foremost thing is to be observant of any changes in behaviours and natural patterns/habits/practices of the person concerned for an early consultation with a psychiatrist or a psychologist. The said changes may include mood swings, fatigue, tardiness, frequent washroom use especially after eating, unexplained weight loss. Along with this, the person may want to eat alone, as they tend to throw away their food when alone. Generally, the focus shift may also include overstressing about the calorie intake, exercise, engaging in their own food rituals, like eating at specific time, and selective eating. These symptoms should be acknowledged, addressed, and checked by a professional.
The most common eating disorders are binge eating, anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Transitioning from breastfeeding to solid foods alters eating patterns. The decision of how much a child eats shifts from the child to the mother, often leading to unhealthy snacking between meals and fussy eating habits that persist into adulthood.
Consuming junk food with high glycaemic index content causes sudden spikes in blood sugar levels, demanding repeated insulin secretion and exhausting the pancreas, leading to impaired glucose metabolism. Sugary foods are often sought as stress relievers, as they trigger the release of stress hormones like adrenaline, providing instant relief from emotional distress.
Food is closely linked with joyful memories, contributing to emotional eating, especially during times of emotional distress, resulting in binge eating. Sleeplessness and eating while watching TV also contribute to binge eating tendencies.
Bulimia and anorexia are commonly observed during adolescence, often stemming from poor body image. Children who struggle to understand body boundaries are at risk of developing these disorders.
Read the full story that first appeared in Hash#ag Magazine’s August 2024 issue here:

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