Eating disorders are a serious problem that need treating as quickly as possible to help prevent long term damage from being done. Damage can range from the physiological to the emotional and even social. Unfortunately, eating disorders in children are especially common and when this does occur, what is commonly held as being a secretive disease can become even more clandestine as children hide their eating habits from parents, teachers, and all around them.
Disorders of this nature typically stem from some mental, emotional, or social trigger. Anxiety and depression can lead to eating disorders in children and the most common cause is bullying. The child reacts to bullying by using food as a tool. They may eat less or eat more, they may abuse laxative or slimming tablets, or they may restrict their intake of certain types of foods.
Another common trigger of eating disorders in children is family related problems. Some parents believe that their children are essentially immune to problems at home but whether it is a breakdown of a parental relationship or money worries, the children suffer too. As they are only privy to a certain amount of information related to the problems at home, it may be even harder for the children to cope. Again, food may be used as an attempt to cope with these problems.
According to research, more than 90% of children with eating disorders felt they could net tell anybody about the problem. 17% felt they might be able to tell a healthcare professional while 9% believed they may be able to tell somebody at school. Only 1% said that they could talk to their parents about possible eating disorders. These figures show how difficult it can be to detect and treat eating disorders in children.
If you believe you know a child that has an eating disorder then it is important that you act quickly. A GP may not be able to recognise an eating disorder, especially if the child hides their eating habits. If you are convinced that this is a problem then you should seek a second opinion or request further help.
Contact CareUKEatingDisorders.com for more information on eating disorders in children, how to identify them, and the types of treatment that are available for sufferers.
