The IAA One Minute Blog

The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence says families often spot eating disorders too late.

Delay in Diagnosis

Studies have shown a delay in identifying boys and young men with eating disorders because of the misconception that they only affect females.

Behaviors that could indicate a boy or young man could be experiencing an eating disorder include:

• Depression
• Purging
• Substance abuse
• Taking muscle building supplements

Their focus may be on leanness, weight control and muscularity.

The mean age of a child with an eating disorder is 12.5 years old, according to the report. The report was published online December 21 in the journal “Pediatrics.”

Pediatricians can help families reduce stigma around weight through sensitive language and being supportive toward kids of all shapes and sizes. 

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of an eating disorder vary, depending on the type of eating disorder. Some red flags that might indicate an eating disorder include:

• Excessive focus on food
• Expressing depression, disgust or guilt about eating habits
• Extreme weight loss or not making expected developmental weight gain
• Forcing yourself to vomit or exercising too much to keep from gaining weight after binging
• Frequently checking the mirror for perceived flaws
• Frequently skipping meals or refusing to eat
• Persistent worrying or complaining about being fat
• Repeated episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting
• Using laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating when they are not needed 

Eating disorders seem to coexist with psychological and medical issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trouble coping with emotions, and substance abuse.

For some people preoccupation with food becomes a way to gain control over one aspect of their lives.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America wants everyone to lead a healthy life and sometimes the first step is learning how to properly take care of your body. Remember, with IAA one call does it all.

To read more on the subject, click here.