Did you know that eating disorders are the second deadliest type of mental
health issue in the United States?

Facts About Eating Disorders:

• Nine percent of the U.S. population

will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.
• These disorders cause 10,200 deaths every year —

one every 62 minutes.
• 26 percent of people with eating disorders attempt suicide.

Tragically, eating disorders are

very common in children and adolescents.

• Nearly a third of children aged five – six have a body size ideal that’s
thinner than their current perceived size.
• By age seven, one in four children has engaged in some kind of dieting
behavior.
• 93 percent of young women engage in “fat talk” (criticizing each other’s
appearance and weight) in everyday life.
• 53 percent of American girls

report being unhappy with their bodies at age thirteen, 78 percent at age seventeen.
• 95 percent

of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.

If anything, the COVID-19 pandemic has

increased the prevalence of child and adolescent eating disorders

by compounding the stress that young people experience daily. If you’re a
parent or caregiver, it’s vitally important for you to be aware of these
disorders and know what to do if you notice any troubling eating behaviors
in your home.

Types of Eating Disorders

There are many kinds of eating disorders. The most common ones include:

Anorexia Nervosa
People with anorexia severely restrict how much food they eat. They may
also exercise compulsively and/or purge (see Bulimia Nervosa, below). They
usually see themselves as overweight, regardless of their body size. This
can cause thinning of the bones and infertility, and can ultimately result
in heart, brain, or multi-organ failure and death.

Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is characterized by binge eating (devouring large amounts of food
uncontrollably) and then purging (trying to undo these binges through
vomiting, fasting, laxatives, compulsive exercise, and other methods).
Purging can cause an inflamed or sore throat, tooth decay, acid reflux, and
severe dehydration. Ultimately, bulimia may create electrolyte imbalances
that can lead to stroke or a heart attack.

Binge Eating Disorder
As with bulimia, people with this disorder will eat large amounts of food
at one sitting. They may feel shame, disgust, or guilt about this. But,
unlike people with bulimia, they don’t purge. They face an increased risk
of complications like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
People with this fairly newly recognized disorder only eat a very limited
number of foods. This is easily dismissed as just “picky eating,”
especially in children. But individuals with ARFID don’t ingest enough
calories to develop properly, or even maintain basic body functions. This
can create dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

The Role of Body Image

Many kids and teenagers (and grownups) have body image issues, and

this can play a big role

in anorexia and bulimia. There’s so much pressure in our society to look a
certain way — coming not just from in-person peer interactions, but also
social media, TV, and other sources.

Kids and teenagers may compare themselves to unrealistic ideals and try
doing something drastic to look the way they think they’re supposed to. Or
to fit into a particular weight class for their favorite sport.

One thing you can do to help keep your child healthy is to encourage them
to

accept themselves the way they are

and recognize that they’re attractive and worthy. Bodies come in all sizes
and shapes. We can’t all look like [insert your child’s celebrity role model here].

Eating Disorders Aren’t Just for Girls

It’s commonly believed that only girls get eating disorders. However, the
truth is much more complex.

People of all genders and sexualities experience eating disorders. So it is important to tune in and recognize the signs of an eating
disorder in all persons.

If You Think Your Child May Have an Eating Disorder

As a parent or guardian, you’re better positioned than anyone else to
notice changes in your child’s eating patterns or an ongoing obsession with
food or their weight. With that said,

don’t try to diagnose or manage your child’s eating issues yourself.

You and your child may not be the best judges

of whether their weight or eating habits are healthy, or what to do if
they’re not.

If you think your child may have an eating disorder, talk to their pediatrician or family doctor. They’ll also
be screened for eating disorders at every well visit. If a health care
provider believes your child has an eating disorder, they will probably be
able to recommend where to take them for treatment.

There are

many strategies

for treating eating disorders. Treatment usually begins with some form of
psychotherapy as well as nutrition education. More advanced cases may
require hospitalization, a day treatment program, or a residential
treatment program.

Independence Blue Cross members can find all these resources on the
company’s

Provider Finder. All health plans cover

nutrition counseling

and behavioral health treatment. And Registered Nurse Health Coaches are
available to members 24/7; call 1-800-ASK-BLUE ( 1-800-275-2583) (TTY/TDD: 711). You can also call the

National Eating Disorders Helpline

at 1-888-375-7767.

If your child has an eating disorder, they will have to learn to change
their relationship with food. And you’ll need to learn how to support them
along the road to wellness.

It probably won’t be a “quick fix.” It could be a long, tough journey. But
it’s a necessary one, for your child’s immediate and long-term health. And
the sooner it begins, the better.

This content was originally published on

IBX Insights.

About Dr. Dolores Roman

Dr. Dolores Roman joined Independence Blue Cross in 2019. As a 20-year
veteran of emergency rooms in and around the Philadelphia area, Dr. Roman
has dealt with every kind of emergency. Now as a medical director at
Independence, Dr. Roman is involved in utilization management, case
management, and quality improvement. What Dr. Roman loves most about this
job is the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in order to enhance
the health and well-being of those served by Independence Blue Cross.