Teen and Adolescent Anorexia Treatment Center

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa, usually referred to as anorexia, is a serious and life-threatening eating disorder that affects 200,000 people across the United States at any given time. Anorexia is characterized by an extreme and intentional restriction of food intake, an abnormally low body weight, a distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight. Anorexia nervosa’s highest rates are in young adults between 15 to 34 years old. And this eating disorder has the highest death rate of any eating disorder, resulting from starvation, metabolic collapse, or suicide.

Teens with anorexia nervosa often see themselves as heavy or large, even when they are significantly underweight. Although teen girls are more likely to develop the eating disorder than teen males, at a rate of 10:1, teen males are also affected.

Anorexia can be tricky to detect in some adolescents. Hence, they can exhibit anorexic behaviors, yet not appear anorexic. While they severely restrict their caloric intake, they seem to maintain a relatively normal weight for some time. This is why parents and caregivers should know the signs and symptoms of teen anorexia so they can prevent the development of serious medical conditions.

What Causes Anorexia Nervosa in Teens?

While there is no single cause for anorexia, a combination of genetic predisposition, environment, psychological factors, and societal pressures can all play a role.

Environmental Factors

When parents are concerned about their child’s weight or place a high value on outward appearance, teens can develop a negative body image as a result. Moreover, teens who are teased or bullied at school may become more self-conscience about their appearance and feel that losing weight will help them fit in. Adolescents who have experienced trauma, abuse, or other stressful environments are also at higher risk of developing teen anorexia.

Psychological Factors

There is no one personality associated with eating disorders. However, teens with the restricting subtype of anorexia nervosa are often high achievers or perfectionists. That is, they have a desire to please others and are sensitive to criticism.

Societal Pressures

Social media can be a great way for teens to connect, share ideas, and get involved in social issues that matter to them. But they also see images of thin and beautiful celebrities and influencers flooding their feed. This sets a precedent for the “ideal” body, perpetuating feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt. Studies show that adolescents and teens who spend just 30 minutes a day on social media develop increased feelings of anxiety, depression, poor self-image, and loneliness.

Sadly, adolescents as young as 12 and 13 are affected. A new study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders found a clear association between social media use and disordered eating in this age group.

High-Performance Athletics

Teens involved in athletics or performance arts where there is a high importance placed on weight and appearance are also at higher risk of developing anorexia. These often include dance, gymnastics, wrestling, and boxing. Although not a formal diagnosis, anorexia athletica, or “sports anorexia” describes a teen who excessively or compulsively exercise without eating the proper amount of calories and nutrients to fuel their body. Mental health professionals have seen enough of a rise in athletica anorexia in teens to warrant an official diagnosis.

How Many Teens Have Anorexia?

From 2018 to 2022, healthcare visits for eating disorders in people younger than 17 went up 107 percent, according to a report released by Trilliant Health, a data company. There were about 50,000 health care visits in 2018, compared to more than 100,000 in 2022. Visits for anorexia nervosa went up 129 percent. 

Teens of any age and gender can develop an eating disorder. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency reports that 95 percent of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25. While females are more likely to develop anorexia than males, 33 percent of teen boys admit to participating in unhealthy practices to curb their appetite and control weight. These behaviors include smoking, using drugs, or misusing laxatives or diet pills.  

Furthermore, transgender youth report experiencing disordered eating at approximately four times the rate of their cisgender classmates. In addition, gay and bisexual boys are significantly more likely to fast, vomit, or take laxatives or diet pills to control their weight.

Different Types of Anorexia Nervosa

Disordered eating behaviors in teens are complex and don’t always involve food restriction. Anorexia can be broken down into two primary subtypes:

• Restricting subtype: This describes an individual who attempts to control their weight primarily through dieting, fasting, and excessive exercise.
• Binge-Purge subtype: Teens with the binge-purge subtype engage in restrictive behaviors. But they also binge large amounts of food, followed by intentional purging via self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa?

Recognizing the warning signs and physical symptoms of anorexia in adolescents is critical to preventing serious medical complications, including anemia, heart problems, missed periods, bone loss, and heart failure.

How Is Anorexia Nervosa Diagnosed?

Determining a diagnosis for anorexia will include a physical exam to address any medical conditions. An exam will also include a psychological assessment to determine any co-occurring mental health issues. In addition, a teen suspected of having anorexia will have lab tests run to check electrolytes and protein, as well as liver, kidney, and thyroid functioning. X-rays can show stress fractures, broken bones, and bone density. Your teen’s physician may also want to check for heart irregularities or other problems. A mental health professional will make a determination using the diagnostic criteria for anorexia, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Teen Anorexia Nervosa Treatment at Newport Academy

Teen anorexia treatment is complex and requires a comprehensive, individualized approach to care. Typically, a teen’s treatment plan includes a combination of psychological therapy, nutrition education, medical monitoring, and medication as needed.

Depending on location, Newport Academy offers specialized residential treatment for adolescents with eating disorders. Our programs provide both dietary and clinical care, delivered by a team trained in eating disorder awareness and Health at Every Size® (HAES) principles, which include respectful care, weight inclusivity, and eating for well-being rather than weight control.

Our caring team of medical doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, board-registered dietitians, individual and family therapists, counselors, experiential therapists, and academic teachers and tutors, are ready to help your teen heal from the inside out.