“If I gain any weight, I’ll lose all control.” These words, spoken by a 14-year-old anorexia nervosa patient, show just how serious eating disorders can be for teenagers, disturbing numbers of whom are dissatisfied with their bodies. For some, mostly girls, thoughts about food and their bodies consume their lives and lead to such life-threatening eating disorders as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. This guide to eating disorders for teenagers, their families, and others involved in their lives defines what the diseases are, considers who suffers from them and why, discusses the warning signs and complications, and covers associated disorders. It also provides information on body dysmorphia and the treatment and prevention of eating disorders. Numerous resources that can provide help are listed.

Tania Heller, M.D., is a board-certified pediatrician and the medical director of the Washington Center for Eating Disorders and Adolescent Obesity in Bethesda, Maryland www.washingtoncenteronline.com. She is the author of four other books.

Tania Heller, M.D.

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 184
Bibliographic Info: appendices, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2003
pISBN: 978-0-7864-1478-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments     vii

Preface     1

1 No Age Barriers     3

2 What Are Eating Disorders?     7

3 Who Develops an Eating Disorder and Why?     28

4 Body Image and Self-Esteem     41

5 Eating Disorders in Males     49

6 Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder     63

7 Complications of Eating Disorders     69

8 Associated Disorders     81

9 Treatment     89

10 Recovery     107

11 Prevention     117

12 Adolescent Obesity     127

13 Questions and Answers     143

14 Conclusion     162

Appendix A: Quick Reference Guide     163

Appendix B: Resources     167

Bibliography     169

Index     173