Warning Signs of Anorexia in Teens

Many teens struggle with their body image regardless of their size, and anorexia and bulimia are fairly common. Teenage girls look at actresses and models in magazine who are all sample sizes (size 0-4) and believe that this is the attractive ideal of what they should look like. They also face pressure from their peers which impacts their self-esteem further. Pressure can even come from within their family if they have a mother who is constantly worried about her weight or that of her daughter. With all of these negative influences surrounding teenager girls, it’s no surprise they’d have body image issues. If teens think that they should be very thin and that is not their natural body type, they will starve themselves to try and fit their ideal.

Anorexia is not just an issue with teenage girls, it can effect boys as well. The difference is that the ideal body image for a male is not often considered the same as it is for women who are expected to be model thin. That being said, it can extend to both genders even if it is more common with girls than boys.

Signs of Anorexia

Anorexia is characterized by a refusal to eat, and it can sometimes be accompanied with over-the-top exercise. The goal is to ultimately burn as many calories as possible to not only prevent weight gain, but to continue to lose weight. Of course, the most obvious sign is drastic weight loss. Adult figures close to teens may also find that he/she is suffering with body image issues and perceives them as fat regardless of their true size.

In order to avoid eating, those suffering with anorexia will make excuses to skip mealtimes or say they’re not hungry. While they will eat on occasion, they will choose items low in calories and sugar and will often try to eat in private because they’re concerned they’re being judged on their eating habits if they are in the company of other people. There are other physical signs of anorexia that can go hand-in-hand with malnutrition due to lack of vitamins and other essential nutrients. Discolored teeth, hair loss and dull skin are just a few of the indications that could be suggestive of anorexia.

Anorexia does not always simply relate to eating habits although that’s what’s most often thought about. Anorexics obsess over losing weight and may also exercise to a degree that is unhealthy. They will work out for hours a day and always feel like they should still be doing even more. For teens who already lead active lives, this is a very noticeable sign as extensive exercise is not necessary.

Treatment for Anorexia

Parents and other adult figures of authority are most often the ones to identify anorexia. Friends of teens may not say anything, as they might be having similar struggles themselves. If a teacher suspects anorexia then they should talk to the student’s parents. Help is available and is necessary as anorexia can have long-term effects on the health of a teen. Rehab can address body image issues through counseling, while they work to overcome an aversion to food and slowly help the patient become healthy again. Without treatment, teens will continue a decline and may carry their deep body image issues straight into adulthood at which time they may have their unhealthy habits more engrained and find them harder to break with help or no help.