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Eating Disorders in Children

Having a parent or close relative with an eating disorder seems to increase the possibility of seeing a disorder in children manifest itself at a younger age. Competitive activities such as sports, dancing or competitive modeling also plays a role in precipitating an eating disorder in children.

While no one is certain of the exact causes of eating disorders, peer pressure and a child’s self-esteem are note-worth considerations. Children who have one parent with an eating disorder also seem more susceptible to develop their own illness as they tend to mimic the adult figures in their life.

Anorexia nervosa affects about one percent of females during adolescence, but boys are beginning to become part of the equation. Usually it develops from a fear of appearing overweight and that fear is adding to the suffering of an eating disorder in children. When have a 40 pound 10-year-old claiming to be overweight and cites a need for dieting, it may be cause for concern.

Most females will show signs of anorexia nervosa between 13 and 15 years of age and may show signs again around 18 or 19. Having this eating disorder in children as young as 10 can cause serious health problems, as their young bodies aren’t getting the nutrition they need for healthy growth.

Bulimia and Anorexia May Run Concurrent

Some teens with anorexia also exhibit signs of bulimia nervosa with binge eating followed by periods of purging. Some researchers say they will binge eat to cover up the anorexia and then purge to make sure they don’t gain any weight. They feel this hides the eating disorder from their parents as well as their peers.

While genetics are believed to play a key role in an eating disorder in children self-esteem is rapidly gaining similar status. Additionally, children who are the subject of abuse, physical mental and sexual are also believed to be more susceptible to developing an eating disorder.

More and more younger children have access to magazines and television programs that seem to glorify that unless they are super-skinny, they are fat. This can also cause an eating disorder in children as they strive for acceptance by their peers and adults. Most children are simply trying to please their parents or other influential adults in their life, their appearance, or the perception they have of their appearance, plays a major part. These ideas of how they look can manifest themselves into an eating disorder in children.