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Parents may be missing the signs of eating disorders in kids

By Staff Writer

Most parents like to believe that their children are healthy and flawless, but environmental factors can play a significant role in an individual's well-being. When it comes to kids, anxiety can take on different forms, including eating disorders.

Conditions such as anorexia and bulimia can go undetected by physicians for an extend period of time, according to Kid Glue, a parenting news site. Daniel Le Grange, director of the Eating Disorders Program at the University of Chicago Medical Center, told the news source that many doctors tell parents that unusual eating habits are just a phase. However, the underlying problem may be the result of anxiety from school and family life.

There are a few signs that parents can look for in order to address a potential disorder. Children who exhibit low self-esteem and begin exercising to burn calories may have a definitive health issue. Weight loss of up to 10 pounds in a short amount of time can also be considered abnormal when considering other factors, such as anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Approximately 10 million women and 1 million men struggle with eating disorders in the U.S., according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Counseling can help troubled teens manage an illness, such as anorexia, over time.

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