Quick Links: Quiz: Does Your Teen Have Bulimia Nervosa? | All Bulimia in Teens Resources
Teens who suffer from bulimia nervosa often do so without their parents knowledge until the disease has progressed to a point where they are having real medical problems like abnormal bowel function or anemia. While it may seem like these parents are bad parents because they seem to not be paying attention to their teen, that simply isn't true. With today's busy pace for both parents and teenagers, a focus on perfect bodies and weight-loss in our teen's culture and the fact that bulimics can be a normal weight for their height - unlike teens with anorexia nervosa who become very thin - it isn't a stretch that a teen could be suffering from bulimia nervosa and have parents who care, but don't know.
Therefore, it is important for parents to take a look at the statistics and facts below and our bulimia signs and symptoms article realistically. If this sounds anything like your teen, seek help even if you are unsure. Talk to your teen and to their doctor. It is much better to err on the side of caution then to miss this teen health issue until it is too late.
What Is Known About Teens and Bulimia
- About 1% to 2% of teens meet the diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa. Also, a recent analysis by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, from 1999 to 2006, hospital admissions for eating disorders increased most sharply - by 119% - in children younger than 12 years.
- It has been estimated that males account for approximately 5% to 10% of patients with anorexia nervosa and 10% to 15% of patients with bulimia nervosa. Differences in males with eating disorders to females include a later age at onset of bulimia and a higher prevalence of obesity at a younger age or before the eating disorder.
- According to a NIMH funded study, that was published in the September 2007 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, family-based treatment for adolescent bulimia nervosa is more effective than an individual-based therapy called supportive psychotherapy in helping teens overcome bulimia.
- According to the book, I'm, Like, SO Fat! by Neumark-Sztainer, over one-half of teenage girls and almost one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives
- According to a study done at the American Journal of Psychiatry (2009) the crude mortality rate for bulimia nervosa was 3.9% for all who suffered from the disease including adults and teens. The number does not take deaths that occur from medical complications due to bulimia into consideration, like heart disease and teen suicide.
- The Academy for Eating Disorder says that only half of those with anorexia and bulimia recover fully, but the American Psychological Association says that psychologists are developing promising new treatments and conducting novel research to combat eating disorders.
- A 10-year study of more than 2000 adults showed that the prevalence of dieting and unhealthy weight control practices - such as binging and purging - was high and either remained constant or increased significantly between adolescence and young adulthood, as published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and reported on our Parenting Teens blog.
- Even after bulimia is in remission and normal eating has resumed, certain patients can continue to have symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therefore, obsessive-compulsive behaviors may be a persistent trait characteristic of some individuals who develop bulimia, according to a study presented by Jessica C. Morgan, MD, at her presentation at the 159th annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association.
- Both men and women who suffer from bulimia, have long been noted to have a high prevalence of comorbid psychiatric issues, such as: depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and personality disorders.
Source: Braun DL, Sunday SR, Halmi KA: Psychiatric comorbidity in eating disorder patients. Psychology Med 24:850-867, 1994. and Review of bulimia nervosa in males. American Journal Psychiatry, 1991.
Quick Links: Quiz: Does Your Teen Have Bulimia Nervosa? | All Bulimia in Teens Resources
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