Eating Disorders & Body Image

Some research says that 70% of girls and 40% of boys express body dissatisfaction, which can lead not only to eating disorders but other mental health issues. Experts link eating disorders to a combination of factors, including genetics, family relationships, and underlying psychological issues, but developing teens are often grappling with body image issues, so eating disorders – among boys as well as girls -- may be fueled by social media and our weight/fitness-obsessed culture. 

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, and they are not uncommon among teens. According to Johns Hopkins, as many as 30 million people in the U.S. have an eating disorder, and 95% of them are between the ages of 12 and 25, affecting all genders, races and ethnic groups.

An eating disorder is a psychological disorder that involves an extreme form of eating behavior, including, according to WebMD, “anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. A teen with anorexia refuses to stay at a normal body weight. Someone with bulimia has repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compulsive behaviors such as vomiting or the use of laxatives to rid the body of food. Binge eating is characterized by uncontrolled overeating.”
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WhatToSayNow.org and RaisingChildren offer parents some terrific basic suggestions for awareness and understanding.
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WebMD offers a good primer on eating disorders among teens -  www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/understanding-eating-disorders-teens

Also Eating Disorder Facts – John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital - https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/Services/Pediatric-and-Adolescent-Medicine/Adolescent-and-Young-Adult-Specialty-Clinic/Eating-Disorders/Eating-Disorder-Facts


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​                           Resources and Services
For those struggling with an eating disorder or know somebody who is, the National Eating Disorders Association's Helpline at 800-931-2237 may be a good place to start.

And while a number of other websites offer information and resources, here are two that offer local services --

 MEDA (Multi-service Eating Disorders Association  -- in Newton, (617) 558 1881 or (888) 350 4049,   https://www.medainc.org/

The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders - Boston, MA (800) 736-3739(800) 736-3739, renfrewcenter.com/

Walden Behavioral Health 888-305-2997, https://www.waldenbehavioralcare.com/ 

Robyn Kievit, Dietician and Nurse Practitioner- https://robynkievit.com/
 
Survive FBT: Skills Manual for Parents Undertaking Family Based Treatment (FBT) for Child and Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa- https://mariaganci.com/books/
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