Eating disorders in children: a recent study
Eating disorders generally appear in adolescence and, until a few years ago, were much more frequent in girls; today they increasingly concern boys too and can occur earlier.
A Canadian study, presented on October 7, 2014 in Vancouver, examined 215 children with eating disorders, aged between 8 and 12 years . The entire sample had resorted to medical treatment for problems related to eating disorders: 52% had been hospitalized at least once, while the remaining 48% had received outpatient treatment.
15% of the sample vomited after eating and 13% had bulimic behavior ; 95% pointed to restrictive food behaviors.
In general, the children analyzed were concerned about their physical appearance : 23% reported having been insulted for their appearance, 69% were worried about gaining weight and 47% called themselves fat.
Most common eating disorders in children
Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, however, are not common in children and become more common around 13-14 years of age .
Before adolescence it is more likely to observe eating disorders not linked to the image one has of oneself and to the concern of gaining weight. We see some of them.
Selective feeding disorder . In preschool it is common for children to go through a phase in which feeding is very selective ; that is, they eat only a few foods, always the same. If it is a transitory period, it should not cause too much concern, especially if the child continues to grow adequately.
Restrictive feeding disorder . That is, the child shows little interest in food and tends to eat very little. This is also a rather common condition in preschool but, if it persists, it could compromise normal growth.
Compulsive hyperalimentation . That is, the child eats too much and often; the consequence is often overweight. Sometimes, the restrictions imposed by the parents have the opposite effect and the child ends up eating in secret.
Pica . The child, that is, tends to eat inedible food, from sand, insects, paper ... During the first year of life this behavior is common and is considered normal. In older children, on the other hand, it translates into an eating disorder that can be an indication of emotional distress.
These are just some of the most common eating disorders in children; in most cases they are transient and resolve spontaneously; when, however, the child has a conflicting attitude towards food, which persists over time, it is advisable to ask the pediatrician for advice, to assess whether and how to intervene.
Children and relationship with food
There are children who immediately develop a good relationship with food, from the early stages of weaning, others who struggle at first and then learn to eat properly, others who have a bad relationship with food for a long time.
There are, in particular, some phases that are more critical:
- between 18 months and 3 years, appetite often decreases; we speak of physiological anorexia as it corresponds to a slowdown in growth.
- In preschool, many children go through periods, which can last up to several months, when they restrict the choice of food or reduce food intake.
- During adolescence, however, an increase in appetite is frequent, due to the body's greater demand for energy.
If the child grows well, if he appears serene and cheerful, if he does not have a tendentially melancholy and sad mood, if he is well adapted in his environment and does not tend to isolate himself, in summary, if it seems to you that everything is fine, these variables in habits food should not cause too much concern and, probably, will be temporary.
Instead, it is necessary to ask for the help of a specialist if, on the contrary, the child has growth problems, or if it seems to you that the relationship with food may be the manifestation of a discomfort; for example, the child often appears sad and melancholy, tends to isolate himself and not go to classmates, does not seem to be well adapted in his environment, is too worried about his physical appearance, is often nervous and irritable, or shows other signs of discomfort.
