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Thin Is Too In
Eating Disorders and How They Affect Our Children
By Donna Smith
Golman says to keep a watch for the following signs:
- Weight changes
- Evidence of vomiting
- Evidence of laxative/diuretic abuse
- Frequent trips to bathroom following meals
- Obsessive thought of food and weight
- Excessive exercise
- Secret eating/hoarding of food evidenced by missing food
After a while, more serious and frightening signs can start to occur, says Julien, and include vomiting up blood, calluses on their knuckles from sticking their fingers down their throat, "horrific" dental erosion and tears in the esophagus.
Binge eating is another eating disorder classified as binging without purging. The newly classified disorder affects millions of Americans. "These people tend to be overweight or obese, and tend to be compulsive overeaters," says Ronnie Julien. "The only warning signs here are rapid weight gain, large amounts of food missing at home in a short period of time and seeing the child eating enormous amounts of food, either at a particular meal or throughout the day."
Mandy Golman says that people with binge eating disorder eat alone out of embarrassment at the quantity of food and have feelings of disgust, depression or guilt after overeating. "This disorder differs from anorexia and bulimia because people with binge eating disorder usually do not purge afterward," she says. "Treatment includes individual psychotherapy and support groups. Antidepressants have also been found to be useful to people with binge eating disorder."
Observation is key for parents in uncovering any eating disorder. "Parents should ask themselves if their child is limiting their food intake or becoming obsessed with dieting, fitness magazines, calories, carbs, fat or exercise," sys Dr. Aronowitz. "Is your child losing weight or claiming unreasonably that they are too fat? Is your child part of a family with a history of eating disorders – if so, they may be at risk. Check to see if your child is skipping meals or social situations revolving around food or wearing baggy clothes sometimes with several layers. Is there excessive time spent looking in the mirror, weighing themselves or 'feeling their fat'? Perfectionism, anxiety, low self-esteem, inability to express emotions and 'all or nothing thinking' are common symptoms."