“Eating Disorders in Adolescents”
Herbal Home remedy

Since the adolescence is the age where bones are sprout and grow rapidly, well nourished food must be given to the adolescent to facilitate normal growth & development. The nutritional intake must be monitored regularly and modified depending upon the growing needs. Teenagers tend to develop eating disorders which affect their nutritional health.

The eating behavior must be corrected as early as possible as it can lead to the development of complex illnesses. Eating disorder is the third common chronic illness, especially in adolescent females and the number has been increasing rapidly from the past thirty years.

There are two subcategories of eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is the restrictive form, where the intake of food is limited severely. In bulimia nervosa is the eating disorder where the adolescent binges on food and then tries to minimize the effects by forcibly vomiting, fasting, and catharsis or over exercising. When handling adolescence eating disorders, they must be handled differently from adult eating disorders.

Adolescents face problems such as growth retardation, suppressed height, abnormal weight, pubertal delay, menstrual periods absence, and menses unpredictability. When the adolescent is growing there will be critical tissue components loss like loss of body fat, muscle mass and bone mineral.

Nutritional imbalance is also caused which reflect abnormalities in the levels of vitamins, mineral and other trace elements. The problem is that these abnormalities cannot be recognized clinically. But since protein and calories are essential to the growth of the adolescent, it is important to trace their abnormalities. Because of the problems, healthy adulthood is not a possible thing. Because of all these reasons, it is important to diagnose adolescence eating disorders as early as possible.

Eating disorders give rise to peak bone mass impaired acquisition in case of adolescents. When they turn into adults, this problem aggravates to osteoporosis. Even internal organs get affected due to eating disorders. All this can be prevented by early intervention so as to limit, prevent and ameliorate medical complications, which can turn become life threatening.

Adolescents who practice unhealthy weight control practices and are obsessive about figure, weight, food or exercise should be treated clinically. Not only should the symptoms be checked, but their duration, intensity and frequency should also be checked. Although most of the physical complications caused due to eating disorders get solved with the help of nutritional rehabilitation some of the conditions become irreversible and the long term consequences of this are very dangerous.

It is best if the eating disorders are recognized in the early stages as it won’t result in irreparable damage. The medical monitoring should be pursued till the adolescent returns back to appropriate psychological and medical health.

Eating disorders not only result in physical abnormalities, but also psychological abnormalities. Adolescents with eating disorders take onto social isolation, low self esteem, affective disorders, low self concept, substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. Usually adolescents switch to unhealthy eating habits because of depression and lack of knowledge about affective techniques to lose weight. So the patients who are being treated for eating disorders must also be treated for psychiatric illness, if they have any.

Even if the habits doesn’t fit the strict criteria, adolescents who limit food intake, binge, vomit or purge accompanied with or without harsh weight loss, should be monitored because of the involvement of risk of even death. Early treatment will have an improved outcome. But the level of intervention in adolescents should be less when compared to adults.

Teaching Children Healthy Eating Habits

Although traditional eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia most often develop among young adults, children are very impressionable and they can, as young as a few years old, be influenced by adults who have poor eating habits. If you are suffering from an eating disorder, take measures to treat the disease, if not for yourself, for your children. However, setting a good example may not be enough, since a number of outside sources, such as other children and the media, may influence your child. Teaching him or her about good eating habits and healthy body image is, therefore, very important.

The most common eating problem among children is not eating too little or purging the body, as anorexics and bulimics do, but rather, the biggest problem is obesity. Childhood obesity is on the rise, with twice as many children being obese today than a few short decades ago. Children are eating too much junk food-food that is high on calories and low on nutrients. To top this off, many childhood activities do not involve action-video games, computer time, and television watching all contributes to childhood obesity.

Unfortunately, being overweight as a child can cause him or her to develop eating disorders as he or she grows. Poor body image is learned easily with culture influences such as the thin baby doll or the Greek God type bodies of modern sports stars. Talking to your child about body image and practicing healthy habits is extremely important to counteract these negative influences.

Teach your child what eating disorders are and how they can be dangerous. Also teach the difference between "thin" and "healthy." Treats high in calories or sugar should be for special occasions, not used as rewards. Instead, provide your child with multiple healthy snack choices such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Show them how these snacks can be just as yummy as cookies and potato chips. Also stress the importance of drinking water or sports drinks instead of punch. Your child, when old enough, should also learn about the food pyramid. He or she should learn how to balance a meal and why this is most healthy for a growing body. Have him or her help plan meals, using all food groups.

As your child grows, be sure to reinforce positive body image. Young adult years can be stressful, so regulate your child carefully and if you suspect that an eating disorder has developed, talk to a medical professional to figure out the best course of action.

===================================================================
SITE DISCLAIMER: The Eating Disorders in Adolescents Natural Cures & Home remedy recipes health articles on this Strategic Services website are not intended to be a substitute for therapy or professional advice. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this Eating Disorders in Adolescents Natural Cures & Home remedy recipes health articles publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the self help books and personal development subject matter herein. There is no guarantee of validity of accuracy of any Eating Disorders in Adolescents Natural Cures & Home remedy herbal recipes health articles content. Any perceived slight of specific people or organizations is unintentional. This Eating Disorders in Adolescents Natural Cures & Home remedy recipes health articles website and its creators are not responsible for the content of any sites linked to for.

The Natural Cures & Home remedy herbal recipes health articles website contents are solely the opinion of the author and should not be considered as a form of therapy, advice, direction and/or diagnosis or treatment of any kind: medical, spiritual, mental or other. If expert advice or counseling is needed, services of a competent professional should be sought. The Eating Disorders in Adolescents author and the Publisher assume no responsibility or liability and specifically disclaim any warranty, express or implied for any products or services mentioned, or any techniques or practices described. The purchaser or reader of this Natural Cures & Home remedy recipes Eating Disorders in Adolescents health articles website publication assumes responsibility for the use of these materials articles and information. Neither the self help author nor the Publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of any purchaser or reader of these Natural Cures & Home remedy recipes Eating Disorders in Adolescents herbal health articles materials.

===================================================================