An eating disorder is a condition that
causes some people to have unhealthy thoughts and
behaviours about food and body image. Teens with eating disorders
often base how they feel about themselves on how much they weigh and
how they look.
It can be hard to know what is an "ideal" body shape or body
size when TV and magazines show unrealistic images of what it means
to be thin. The way a skinny model looks in a magazine or TV ad is not normal
or "ideal." Healthy bodies come in lots of shapes and
sizes. Most of us will never look like fashion models or world-class athletes.
But when you treat your body well—feed it healthy food and move it in ways it’s
built to move—you can feel good about it.
Teens who have an eating disorder often strongly
deny that they have a problem. They do not see or believe that they do.
But there are some feelings and actions that are common with each
type of eating disorder.
Teens who have
who have bulimia:
Teens with binge
Treatment for eating
disorders includes counselling and sometimes medicines. Some teens use
No one should feel embarrassed or ashamed about
having an eating disorder. It’s not caused by personal weakness,
and it isn't a character flaw. Many teens struggle with
eating disorders for a long time.
If you think you
have an eating disorder, get help. If left untreated, eating disorders can
cause serious health problems. Treatment can help you feel better
and be healthier. If you think a friend or a family member has an
eating disorder, tell someone who can make a difference, like a
parent, teacher, counsellor, or doctor.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go
to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also
a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter L397 in the search box to learn more about "Learning About Eating Disorders for Teens."
Current as of:
July 26, 2016
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
& W. Stewart Agras, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry
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