How to Recognize the Symptoms of Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that affects approximately 10 percent of teen-agers today. If left untreated it can become a long-term problem that can extend into adulthood, leading to a lifetime of health and medical issues.

Instructions

Looking for Symptoms

• 1

  Look at the eating habits of teens. Many become overly concerned with calorie-counting and food labeling. Many teens will begin to refuse to eat in public and will often play with their food instead of consuming it.

• 2

  Check the height-to-weight ratio of the teen-ager in question. Teens suffering from anorexia will have a body weight that is inconsistent with their height, build and age.

• 3

  Look for signs of excessive exercise, food restriction and use of laxatives in daily life.

• 4

  Talk to the person involved. See if any of the following are characteristic of the teen in question: Does he report heightened anxiety, especially around food? Does she report that she missed three consecutive menstrual periods? Is there evidence of a general weakness, shortness of breath or brittle skin?

• 5

  Seek professional help if the above symptoms become apparent. Left untreated anorexia can lead to shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, osteoporosis and even death.