Eating Disorders Becoming More Prevalent Among Men and Children - By: Scott Bullock

New research shows the pool of people struggling with eating disorders is rapidly transcending boundaries of race, age and gender.

Eating disorders among minorities, males and children under the age of 12 are on the rise, according to a 2010 clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Men represent as much as 10 percent of all eating disorder cases, the report states. Adolescent women remain the largest demographic suffering with eating disorders. One to two percent of the American female teen population currently meets the American Psychiatric Association (APA) diagnosis criteria for Bulimia. Roughly 0.5 percent of adolescent females meet the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa.

Hospitalizations of children under 12 years old with eating disorders rose by 119 percent from 1999 to 2006. Children are more susceptible to experiencing stunted growth, organ damage and other conditions associated with eating disorders.

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, and affect as many as 24 million Americans. Roughly 5 percent of individuals suffering from Anorexia Nervosa die from the disorder, according to APA statistics.

Additionally, the AAP report projects up to 14 percent of Americans display symptoms common of eating disorders. These symptoms include:

• Unexplained weight changes

• Hoarding of high calorie food

• Obsessive dieting

• Compulsive eating or binge eating

• Avoidance of eating in public places or social situations where food might be involved

• Use of laxatives, diet pills or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain

• Frequent bathroom visits shortly following meals

Athletes and performers participating in activities such as dancing, wrestling, gymnastics and modeling where weight is a significant factor in their ability to perform are considered a high risk of developing these symptoms.

As for factors behind the cause of Anorexia and Bulimia, the AAP report suggests a strong genetic connection that tends to activate during puberty. Dieting, environment and personal experience are also believed to be contributing factors behind the cause of these eating disorders.

Environments such as schools are vital players in the campaign of educating adolescents on the dangers of eating disorders. Additionally, primary care pediatricians have a direct opportunity to emphasize the importance of proper nutritional habits and physical activity to families and children. This direct personal contact with adolescents also provides pediatricians a better chance of detecting early warning signs associated with eating disorders. Counseling sessions with families and adolescents on obesity prevention should focus on healthy eating practices, avoiding dialogue that could lead to unhealthy weight loss strategies such as excessive dieting or compulsive exercise.

Consult your pediatrician for more information on eating disorder clinics in your area that provide Anorexia treatment and Bulimia treatment.

About the Author

Scott Bullock of the Lindner Center of HOPE is the author of this article. He is a Family Eating Disorders Therapist and Intake Eating Disorders Coordinator at the institution. The Lindner Center of HOPE is one of the top eating disorder clinics in the country, specializing in bulimia treatment, anorexia treatment, and much more.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Scott-Bullock/125544

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