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- $Unique_ID{BRK00315}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Anorexia in Teens}
- $Subject{anorexia nervosa dieting teenager Community Social mental emotional
- psychological abnormal purging behavior behaviors vomiting laxatives water
- pills diuretics calorie counters diets frequently nutrition establishes
- guidelines harmful reducing methods diet}
- $Volume{E-23, E-26}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Anorexia in Teens
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- QUESTION: With all the recent publicity about the serious consequences of
- anorexia in teen ages, I take my responsibilities in a high school health
- program very seriously. Can you give me any idea of how common this type of
- behavior is, so that my suspicions won't become exaggerated?
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-
- ANSWER: It is common enough for you to stay on guard, according to at least
- one study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association a year
- or two back. The activity of abnormal purging behavior was reported in 13% of
- 1,700 tenth grade high school students. Purging takes three forms; vomiting
- which is the most frequently reported, the use of laxatives, and the use of
- water pills or diuretics. It is more frequent in girls, who outnumber the
- boys by a 2 to 1 margin. This type of behavior was found in teenagers who
- were preoccupied with their weight. They were "calorie counters" who dieted
- frequently and suffered from pangs of guilt whenever they felt they had over
- eaten. Because of peer pressure as well as the styles of society, many youths
- maintain normal weight levels in unhealthy ways, and are at risk of becoming
- true anorexics if not properly counseled and advised. These adolescents are
- at a crucial point in their lives when they must establish rational goals
- based upon knowledge obtained from their education. A program which teaches
- the basics of nutrition and establishes guidelines for appropriate levels of
- weight, encourages exercise, and provides the information necessary to
- distinguish between healthy and harmful reducing methods can be an effective
- method in overcoming the development of eating disorders. Your participation
- and concern for your students may be just the influence that may avoid a
- disaster from occurring either now or later in life.
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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