Anorexia nervosa is now developing at a younger age

A study in an Irish hospital found that children are beginning to develop anorexia nervosa at a younger age.

 

Published in this month’s Irish Medical Journal (IMJ), the study examined patients in Temple Street Children’s Hospital for six consecutive years and found that the average age has fallen from 14 to 13.5.

 

The eating disorder, which is characterized by the fear of gaining weight, was also found to be more common in young boys. It is also believed that there is a link between the disorder and orthodontic treatment.

 

“Oral pain must be considered in cases of unintentional weight loss which could later precipitate disordered eating. Sometimes dental professionals may discourage certain foods if they interfere with treatment which the “perfectionist” child may over-interpret,” the report read.

 

The authors of the study think those who develop the disorder will have difficulties restoring weight gain and without immediate intervention it may ‘worsen prognosis’.

 

Of the children involved in the study, 13 had been over exercising and 5 had been vomiting, so early detection of the disorder is possible.

 

If you think your child may be over exercising or eliminating certain foods from their diet, then a mother-and-child talk could be in order.