Eating disorder trends in adolescents have been a problem for decades, with teen girls consistently being the most affected. To make matters worse, eating disorders have been shown to have the highest mortality rate of any other psychiatric disorder. While research into causes and treatments for disordered eating continues, social media, diet culture, and popular trends continue to exacerbate the problem.
Parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers can and should take steps to decrease the incidence of eating disorders among impressionable young children and adolescents.
Related: Current Eating Disorder Trends in Adolescents
Current eating disorder trends in adolescents
Experts at Stanford state that hospitalizations from eating disorders have gone up by at least 600% in the last decade. A study of 12 hospitals reported a total of 294 adolescents hospitalized for eating disorders in 2010, with an increase to 2,335 in 2021.
Among adolescents in the United States, about 22% will have challenges with healthy eating habits, but it does not always develop into an eating disorder. Approximately 3 out of every 100 adolescents will suffer from a severe eating disorder in their lifetime.
While eating disorders can affect both adolescent boys and girls, the problem is more common in girls. Anorexia nervosa is 10 times more common in girls than in boys, and bulimia nervosa is 5 times more common in girls than in boys. Unfortunately, this means that young boys suffering from these disorders are often missed.
Identifying disordered eating
Many people are under the impression that someone at a healthy weight cannot have an eating disorder. This is a common misconception. According to the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, only 6% of patients diagnosed with an eating disorder are clinically underweight. Body weight and BMI are poor measures when trying to identify an eating disorder in an adolescent.
Instead of focusing on body shape or size, clinicians, parents, teachers, and coaches of teens can look for these signs of disordered eating:
- Rapid weight changes
- Distorted body image
- Fear of weight gain
- Preoccupation with calories, weight, and food
- Feelings of guilt after eating
- Exercising excessively to “earn” food
- Denial of weight loss
- Abuse of laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics
- Excessive or compulsive exercise regimes
- Control issues
- High levels of anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Self-injury
- Making excuses for not eating
- Denial of hunger
- Changes in menstruation for girls
- Food rituals
It is important to remember that eating disorders are not always about losing weight to “look good.” Often, teens with eating disorders have an unhealthy desire to control their food intake because they feel that it is the only thing in their lives that they have complete control over.
Consequences of disordered eating
Eating disorders can be extremely dangerous, especially for adolescents. Problems like anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and restrictive eating can have dangerous long-term consequences. Younger children can be even more severely impacted by eating disorders.
Some consequences of disordered eating include:
- Malnutrition
- Cardiac abnormalities
- Decreased bone density
- Low energy levels
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Constipation
- Anemia
- Infertility
- Organ failure
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Fainting
- Death
Nursing interventions for eating disorder trends in adolescents
Nurses caring for patients struggling with eating disorders should take special care to monitor their patient’s emotional state as well as their physical state. While patients often seek medical care because of physical symptoms, eating disorders are primarily psychiatric problems.
Patients often struggle when seeking care for their eating disorders. While they do not want to suffer, they have an intense fear that treatment will cause weight gain. Adolescents may be hesitant to talk about their symptoms and often try to hide their behavior from their family and friends.
Nurses must take a holistic approach when caring for patients with disordered eating. A multidisciplinary approach is vital to the successful treatment of any child or adolescent diagnosed with an eating disorder.
Physical interventions may include:
- Ensuring adequate nutrition
- Ensuring adequate hydration
- Monitoring elimination
- Tracking intake and output
- Monitoring electrolytes
- Providing nutrient and calorie-dense food options
Psychological interventions may include:
- Listening to a patient without judgment
- Validating the patients’ feelings
- Encouraging positive self-talk
Social interventions
Early identification is one of the best things you can do for a child with an eating disorder. In addition, families and care providers should try to avoid discussing body shapes and weight with their children and adolescents.
Socially, one of the best things parents and providers can do for adolescents and children is to limit or eliminate access to social media. Research from the National Alliance on Eating Disorders shows that over 40% of young girls have seen something on social media that made them feel unattractive or insecure.
In addition, social media sites such as Instagram and TikTok often promote eating disorders and other unhealthy habits. Cyberbullying, Photoshop, and filtered images also contribute to poor body image and low self-esteem.
Hopeful outcomes
While eating disorder trends in adolescents are dangerous and can be difficult to treat, there is hope for those who are struggling. Organizations like Project HEAL are working tirelessly to improve treatment plans, expand access, and reduce the stigma associated with eating disorders.
