Teens: Eating Disorders and Steroid Use

When should I be concerned about my child’s dieting?
Many if not most teens want to loose weight at some point during their adolescence. Studies have shown that as early as 1st – 3rd grade, 42% of girls want to be thinner. By high school studies have shown that 44% of girls and 15% of boys reported they were trying to loose weight. 1 in 20 students reported using diet pills or laxatives to loose weight. Most students experiment with different diets, exercise or weight loss programs as part of growing up. However when the dieting becomes sustained, distressing and interferes with everyday activities, it is time to seek professional evaluations.

What are the most common types of eating disorders?
The most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

• Anorexia nervosa is self-starvation. People with this disorder eat very little, become very thin, and have an overpowering fear of body fat and weight gain. Students with anorexia may be perfectionists, and often excel at academics and sports. Signs and symptoms can include lack of energy, light-headedness, hair may become thin, dull, and stringy and fall out; and there may be heart, kidney and brain involvement.
  
• Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating and purging, either by vomiting or taking laxatives. Students with bulimia may have difficulty dealing with stress and anxiety. People with bulimia have a fear of body fat even though their size and weight are normal. Some of the signs and symptoms can include weakness, difficulty swallowing food, loss of tooth enamel due to vomiting, leaving the room immediately after eating, high or low blood sugar, and heart and colon failure.

What should I do if I think my child has a problem?

• Remain calm. This can be a very emotional issue for both you and your child. Discuss your concerns with your pediatrician or primary care provider.
  
• Have your child evaluated by his/her primary care provider. Find out what resources are available to your family. School nurses, school councilors and support groups are good sources of resources in your community. Local hospitals or health centers may also know of treatment options.
  
• Eating disorders are complex and require comprehensive treatment plans that deal with physical, emotional and psychological issues. Treatment is usually done on an outpatient basis and may include individual, group and or family counseling; nutrition counseling; behavioral therapy, and antidepressant medication. Hospitalization may be necessary if there is immediate medical or emotional risk to the student.
  
• Make sure that your entire family gets support. This is an issue that will affect everyone.