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Thin Is Too In
Eating Disorders and How They Affect Our Children
By Donna Smith
For children, the definition regards a failure to maintain the steady weight gain expected for their age or actual weight loss combined with over-concern with weight and shape, says Dr. Aronowitz. "Often doctors check to see if the patient weighs 85 percent or less than that which is considered typical for someone of similar build, age and height," she says.
There is usually an intense fear of gaining weight, self-perceptions of being fatter than they actually are and low self-esteem connected to feeling fat. "They do not see their illness as a problem, often refuse treatment and typically receive praise from others for 'being so thin' or 'being so good,'" says Dr. Aronowitz.
Parents should watch their child and look for warning signs. According to Golman these signs include the following:
- Preoccupation with food, calories and dieting
- Anxiety about being fat, which does not diminish as weight is lost
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Depression
- Evidence of self-induced vomiting and/or laxative use
- Excessive, rigid exercise regimen
"Depending on its severity, numerous medical problems may occur such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, hypothermia, poor peripheral circulation and even circulatory failure [or] cardiac arrhythmias among others, says Dr. Aronowitz. "Most severe cases must be hospitalized, since this is a life-threatening condition," she says.
Bulimia is characterized by binge eating and purging to get rid of the food consumed. Large amounts of food are eaten in a short time, expelled by vomiting, excessive exercise and laxative or diuretic abuse, says Julien.
Dr. Aronowitz says there is typically a feeling of being out of control during the binge, and being in control with the purge. "Secrecy frequently surrounds this disorder, since purging is considered their 'friend' and helper, which prevents them from gaining weight," she says. "Many [bulimics] maintain normal or above normal body weight, and often successfully hide their problem from others for years. Binges and purges can range from once or twice a week to several times a day."
