Anorexia Nervosa in Children
What is anorexia nervosa in children?
Anorexia nervosa is also called anorexia. It's a serious medical illness that affects
a child's eating behavior. It's not a lifestyle choice.
Anorexia is a form of self-starvation. Children and teens with this health problem
have a distorted body image. They think they weigh too much. This can lead them to
severely limit how much food they eat. It can also lead to other behavior that stops
them from gaining weight.
There are two types of anorexia:
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Restrictor type. Children with this type severely limit how much food they eat. This often includes
foods high in carbohydrates and fat.
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Bulimic (binging and purging) type. Children with bulimia eat too much food (binge) and then make themselves throw up.
They may also take large amounts of laxatives or other medicines that clear out the
intestines.
What causes anorexia in a child?
Anorexia most often starts as regular dieting. But it slowly changes to extreme and
unhealthy weight loss.
Other things that may play a role in anorexia are:
Children with anorexia are more likely to come from families with a history of:
Children with anorexia often come from families that are very rigid and critical.
Parents may be intrusive and overprotective. Children with anorexia may be dependent
and emotionally immature. They are also likely to cut themselves off from others.
They may have other mental health problems, such as an anxiety disorder.
Which children are at risk for anorexia?
Most children with anorexia are girls. But that is changing. More boys are now getting
it. The disorder was first seen in upper-class and middle-class families, but it's
now found in all socioeconomic groups and in many ethnic and racial groups.
Risk may rise with a combination of factors. These include genetic, biological, environmental,
behavioral, psychological, and social factors.
What are the symptoms of anorexia in a child?
Each child’s symptoms may vary. They may:
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Have low body weight
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Fear becoming obese, even as they are losing weight
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Have a distorted view of their body weight, size, or shape. For example, the child
sees their own body as too fat, even when very underweight.
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Refuse to stay at the minimum normal body weight
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In girls, miss 3 menstrual periods without some other cause
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Do a lot of physical activity to help speed up weight loss
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Deny feeling hungry
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Be obsessed with making food
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Have strange eating behaviors
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Be socially withdrawn, grouchy, moody, or depressed
Many physical symptoms linked to anorexia are often due to starvation and malnourishment.
They may include:
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Very dry skin (when pinched and let go, it stays pinched)
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Fluid loss (dehydration)
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Belly pain
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Constipation
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Lethargy
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Dizziness
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Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
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Sensitivity to cold temperatures
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Being abnormally thin (emaciated)
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Growth of fine, downy body hair (lanugo)
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Yellowing of the skin
These symptoms may seem like other health problems. Have your child see their healthcare
provider for a diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital. They can help prevent
future problems.
How is anorexia diagnosed in a child?
Parents, teachers, and coaches may be able to spot a child or teen with anorexia.
But many children first keep their illness very private and hidden.
A child psychiatrist or a mental health expert can diagnose anorexia. They will talk
with parents and teachers about the child’s behavior. In some cases, your child may
need mental health testing.
How is anorexia treated in a child?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also
depend on how severe the condition is.
Treatment often involves a mix of:
Anorexia is a serious condition that causes frequent health problems. It can be severe
enough that it leads to death. Because of this, both your child’s healthcare provider
and a nutritionist must be active members of the care team. Parents play a vital role
in any treatment. Your child may need to go to the hospital for problems linked to
weight loss and malnutrition.
What are possible complications of anorexia in a child?
Anorexia and the malnutrition that results can harm nearly every organ system in the
body. It can be fatal. Anorexia has one of the highest death rates of any mental illness.
Most deaths are associated with medical complications.
It may lead to health problems with the:
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Heart. Damage to the heart can happen because of malnutrition or repeated vomiting. A child
may have a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat. They may also have low blood pressure.
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Blood. About 1 in 3 children with anorexia have a low red blood cell count (mild anemia).
About half of children with this health problem have a low white blood cell count
(leukopenia).
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Digestive tract. Normal movement in the intestinal tract often slows down with very restricted eating
and severe weight loss. Gaining weight and taking some medicines can help fix it.
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Kidneys. Fluid loss (dehydration) from anorexia may lead to highly concentrated urine. Your
child may also make more urine. This may happen when the kidneys’ ability to concentrate
urine is impaired. Kidney changes often return to normal when your child is back to
normal weight.
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Endocrine system. In girls, a lack of menstrual periods is one of the hallmark symptoms of anorexia.
It often happens before severe weight loss. It may continue after normal weight is
restored. Lower levels of growth hormones are also sometimes found in teens with anorexia.
This may explain the delayed growth sometimes seen in children with anorexia. Normal
eating habits often restore normal growth.
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Bones. Children with anorexia are at a greater risk for broken bones. When anorexic symptoms
start before peak bone formation has been reached (most often mid to late teens),
there is a greater risk for decreased bone tissue or bone loss. Bone density is often
found to be low in girls with anorexia. They may not get enough calcium in their diet
or absorb enough of it.
How can I help prevent anorexia in my child?
Experts don’t know how to prevent anorexia. But spotting and treating it early can
reduce symptoms. It can enhance your child’s normal development. It can also improve
their quality of life. Encouraging your child to have healthy eating habits and realistic
attitudes toward weight and diet may also help.
How can I help my child live with anorexia?
If you are worried your child has an eating disorder, talk with their healthcare provider
right away. Here are things you can do to help your child:
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Talk to your child about your concerns and listen to their perspective on the situation.
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Seek care as soon as you notice symptoms. Keep all appointments with your child’s
healthcare provider.
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Take part in family therapy when suggested.
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Have a supportive and compassionate attitude toward your child. Remember that anorexia
is an illness, not a lifestyle choice. Get individual counseling for yourself if you
are struggling.
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Take action right away if you child talks of self-harm, suicide, or harming others.
Don't leave them alone. Call or text 988 if your child is in immediate danger. You will be connected to trained crisis counselors
at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. An online chat option is also available
at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Lifeline is free and available 24/7.
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Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about other providers who will be included
in your child’s care. Your child may get care from a team that may include counselors,
therapists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and registered dietitian
nutritionists. Who is on the team will depend on your child’s needs and how serious
the anorexia is.
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Tell others about your child’s anorexia. Work with their healthcare provider and school
to create a treatment plan.
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Check on school resources for your child. Anorexia may interfere with their ability
to succeed in school. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of
the Civil Rights Act can help your child get an appropriate education. Talk with their
teachers and principal to find out about these protections.
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Reach out for support from local community services. Being in touch with other parents
who have a child with an eating disorder may be helpful.
Key points about anorexia in children
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Anorexia is a serious medical illness that affects a child's eating behaviors. It's
an eating disorder marked by self-starvation.
-
A combination of things raise the risk for this illness. They include genetic, biological,
environmental, behavioral, psychological, and social factors.
-
Children from all socioeconomic groups and many ethnic and racial groups can suffer
from this illness. It can also appear in adulthood.
-
A child with anorexia has low body weight. They often have a distorted view of their
body.
-
Physical symptoms may include very dry skin, belly pain, and constipation. Physical
symptoms can become serious and life-threatening.
-
A mental health expert can diagnose anorexia.
-
Treatment may include therapy and nutritional rehab. Family therapy may be an important
part of treatment.
-
Treatment can be successful. But it's important to have consistent follow-up for both
the child and their family.
Next steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
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Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
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Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
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At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments,
or tests. Also write down any new instructions your healthcare provider gives you
for your child.
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Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child.
Also know what the side effects are.
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Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
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Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
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Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
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If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose
for that visit.
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Know how you can contact your child’s healthcare provider after office hours. This
is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.