Eating disorders begin most commonly in teenage girls. However, boys (especially in certain sports) and pre-teens as well as adults may have eating disorders as well. Often the teenage girl is underweight, however, they may be of normal weight or even overweight.

The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa in which patients take in little or no food and bulimia nervosa in which your child may "binge and purge" . The purging may occur by vomiting, enemas, fasting or excessive exercise. With bulimia patients are typically not as thin as those with anorexia.

Many factors may increase a child's risk for eating disorders such as certain sports, child's personality, family environment and family history. Our culture has a preoccupation of being thin and dieting.

There are health problems associated with anorexia such as problems thinking, abnormal body chemistry, osteoporosis, slow growth, hormone abnormalities, sleep problems, dental problems and problems with heart rate and blood pressure. Death may also occur from abnormal electrolytes or suicide.

If you suspect your child has an eating disorder it is often best treated by a multidisciplinary team which includes a doctor that specialized in eating disorders, a nutritionist and a psychiatrist and psychologist. Severe cases often need to be hospitalized and more mild cases may be difficult to diagnose.

There are medical facilities that specialize in eating disorders. Please call our office if you have concerns regarding an eating disorder or treatment.

- Kristy L. Tolly, MD