Alarm for more cases of anorexia and bulimia in minors 3:14
(CNN) --
More than 20% of children and adolescents worldwide show signs of dysfunctional eating behaviors, also known as "disordered eating," according to a new study.
A figure that translates into 1 in 5 minors with symptoms of this condition.
The study highlights a serious public health problem that is often underreported and underrecognized, according to a meta-analysis published Monday in JAMA
Pediatrics.
Researchers reviewed and analyzed 32 studies from 16 countries and found that 22% of children and adolescents had disordered eating behaviors.
According to the study, these numbers were higher among girls, older adolescents, and those with a higher body mass index (BMI).
Disordered or dysfunctional eating is similar in behavior to an eating disorder: It can include strict eating rules about how much a person eats, what they eat and how much exercise they get in relation to eating, explained therapist Jennifer Rollin, founder of the Eating Disorders Center. of Rockville, Maryland.
For someone to be diagnosed with an eating disorder, they must have similar symptoms along with a higher level of rigidity, distress and impaired vital functions, he added.
Dysfunctional eating behaviors or disordered eating can evolve until a person is diagnosed with an eating disorder.
"I could not stop".
The pandemic is causing eating disorders in our children
"However, it is important to note that both disordered eating and eating disorders are serious, and need professional help and treatment," Rollin said by email.
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According to the study, disordered eating behaviors may not receive adequate treatment because children hide their symptoms or avoid seeking help due to stigma.
Similarly, the study may have been limited in its ability to portray the full magnitude of the condition, since it relied on data that children and adolescents self-reported about their behavior, said study author Dr. José Francisco López-Gil, postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Health and Social Research at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, in Spain.
"The prevalence of disordered eating could be even higher if children were asked about binge eating or exercise-related symptoms, and if studies during the pandemic were included," said Dr. Jason Nagata, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California at San Francisco.
Nagata was not involved in the investigation.
According to López-Gil, researchers must delve into the causes of dysfunctional eating behaviors.
But in the meantime, experts hope institutions and families will focus on identifying and helping children who show signs of eating disorders.
Nagata insisted that this type of behavior is dangerous and can cause serious medical complications in organs such as the heart, brain, liver and kidneys.
"Disordered eating is a significant problem among children and adolescents. And early detection and intervention are crucial to prevent long-term health consequences," López-Gil said in an email.
"The findings can help health professionals, educators, and parents understand the magnitude of the problem and develop prevention and intervention strategies," he added.
The symptoms of disordered eating
Adults need to be aware of the symptoms of disordered eating in both themselves and their children, López-Gil said.
These behaviors can include an obsession with weight or body shape, a distorted self-image, rigid dietary rules, binging and purging, he added.
Exercising in a way that worsens a person's quality of life can also be a warning sign, Nagata said by email.
"Other warning signs are fasting, significant caloric restriction, vomiting, or the use of laxatives or diet pills," he said.
Disordered eating can also include limiting the food groups a person is willing to eat, feeling anxious or embarrassed if eating rules are broken, having the number on the scale affect their mood or eating behaviors, limiting social interactions or bringing food that follows their guidelines to events and places to control their eating, Rollin added.
Those kinds of behaviors can motivate someone to move away from their usual activities, which is another red flag to look out for, Nagata explained.
Although the numbers were higher among adolescent girls and people with a higher BMI, eating disorders affect everyone of any gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and size, Nagata said.
And these disorders can be underdiagnosed in men, LGBTQ people, people of color and people with larger frames, he added.
"You can't tell if a person has an eating disorder just by how they look," Nagata said.
How to get help to deal with disordered eating
If you notice signs of disordered or dysfunctional eating in your child, seek help from a health professional or mental health specialist, López-Gil explained.
Early intervention is important so disordered eating doesn't become a fully diagnosed eating disorder, Rollin says.
Families can offer support to their children with a positive, nonjudgmental attitude, López-Gil added.
How Instagram led two teens to eating disorders
And teens who are concerned about their own behavior can talk to a doctor, school counselor, family member or teacher, Nagata said.
The best way to treat disordered eating or eating disorders often involves many people, such as mental health, health care and nutrition providers, he said.
A medical provider can often provide the referrals to get the other professionals involved, Nagata added.
"Parents can also call the National Eating Disorders Association's Helpline (800-931-2237) for guidance," she said.
"Both disordered eating and disordered eating can take away and limit someone's quality of life, as they both fill your brain with thoughts about food and your body," Rollin said, adding that the behaviors often distance you from other things. What do you value in your life?
"Freedom is possible and you deserve to live a fulfilling life, not one consumed by food, exercise and weight."
eating disorders
