Bulimia In Child

Recently research studies have indicated that the average age in which children experience the onset of bulimia has dropped from thirteen to seventeen years of age and is now being seen in children as young as nine to twelve years of age.

A recent survey which was done by the "Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program", asked pediatricians to document any symptoms of bulimia in children as young as five years of age. Unhealthy eating habits which are started at a young age can carry over into the adult years leading to more serious forms of eating disorders or obesity.

The Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder

Typically children who are bulimic go to great lengths to hide their eating disorder which may also be very hard to detect as they tend to stay within their normal weight range. Binge eating is when an individual consumes an excess amount of food in a period of less than two hours and is one of the primary symptoms of bulimia.

A child may show signs of this disorder by raiding the cabinets or refrigerator and you may notice large amounts of food missing or empty food wrappers around the house as well as hidden food items.

Low self esteem and a poor perception of body image is also very common among bulimics. They will often be obsessed with their body image by constantly weighing themselves and looking in the mirror to view their body shape. Many will also verbalize the fact they are "too fat" and need to lose more weight and how unhappy they are with the shape of their body.

Depression and isolation are also common among children with eating disorders and often times they will avoid social functions where food is involved and become distance with their friends and family.

If children who are bulimic have money, whether by working or through an allowance, they will typically spend this money on food at stores or fast food restaurants to binge on. Some of these children may even purchase laxatives or diuretics to be misused as a way to "compensate" for the excess food intake. When purging by self-induced vomiting, they will try and hide this by running the water, flushing the toilet, or doing so in the shower so that no one will hear them.

One of the warning signs of purging which you may notice is if your child goes to the bathroom immediately after every meal. Signs of self-induced vomiting also include teeth marks which may be apparent on the backs of their hands or knuckles, or reddening of the fingers as well as swollen glands or cheeks.

Bulimia Can Not be cured without Professional Help

Bulimia will not go away on its own and is not a normal stage of adolescence. Professional medical help including psychotherapy and nutritional counseling are necessary in order to overcome this disorder. If you notice any of the signs of an eating disorder in your child, it is essential that you consult with their doctor or pediatrician for a proper diagnosis. Treatment for children with bulimia is also more successful when parents and children work together to follow through with the recommended treatment plan.