Disease Proof
Dietary Restriction, Health Eating, and Anorexia Nervosa
Adapted from Dr. Fuhrman’s book Disease-Proof Your Child:
Some parents fear that adopting dietary guidelines for health and discussing proper weight with their children could lead to anorexia nervosa, particularly in girls. This myth should be dispelled.
While kids on one extreme are getting bigger, a small percentage of children (usually teenage girls) suffer from eating disorders that can cause dangerous malnutrition. Such low calorie and nutrient levels can be harmful and even fatal.
We should not forget that the most common eating disorder is the high-calorie, empty-nutrient diet that most teens eat, leading to an epidemic of overweight adolescents. We know that overweight adolescents have double the chances of heart disease and dying of prematurely of their non-overweight peers.1 The fear of discussing healthy eating and the importance of a healthy, slim weight should not be discouraged due to an unfounded fear of causing anorexia. We know that anorexia is not the result of teaching and encouraging healthy eating to achieve an ideal weight.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious problem, potentially life-threatening mental disorder, manifesting itself as a failure to maintain a minimal body weight. It occurs predominantly among adolescent females, the majority of whom have underlying depression and anxiety.
This condition stems from psychiatric issues; anorexia is not simply a nutritional problem and its management is difficult and challenging. In many cases the disturbed eating pattern represents a coping effort to manage anger, sadness, and frustration. It is recognized that dysfunctional family dynamics are frequently involved and need to be addressed. This disorder is often preceded by parental psychopathology, maladaptive parenting, childhood maltreatment, and other childhood adversities.2
1. McNamara D. Obesity behind rise in incidence of primary hypertension. Family Practice News April 1, 2003;45.
2. Johnson JG, Cohen PC, Kasen S, Brook JS. Childhood adversities associated with risk for eating disorders or weight problems during adolescence or early adulthood. Am J Psychiatry 2002;159:394-499.
Some parents fear that adopting dietary guidelines for health and discussing proper weight with their children could lead to anorexia nervosa, particularly in girls. This myth should be dispelled.
While kids on one extreme are getting bigger, a small percentage of children (usually teenage girls) suffer from eating disorders that can cause dangerous malnutrition. Such low calorie and nutrient levels can be harmful and even fatal.
We should not forget that the most common eating disorder is the high-calorie, empty-nutrient diet that most teens eat, leading to an epidemic of overweight adolescents. We know that overweight adolescents have double the chances of heart disease and dying of prematurely of their non-overweight peers.1 The fear of discussing healthy eating and the importance of a healthy, slim weight should not be discouraged due to an unfounded fear of causing anorexia. We know that anorexia is not the result of teaching and encouraging healthy eating to achieve an ideal weight.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious problem, potentially life-threatening mental disorder, manifesting itself as a failure to maintain a minimal body weight. It occurs predominantly among adolescent females, the majority of whom have underlying depression and anxiety.
This condition stems from psychiatric issues; anorexia is not simply a nutritional problem and its management is difficult and challenging. In many cases the disturbed eating pattern represents a coping effort to manage anger, sadness, and frustration. It is recognized that dysfunctional family dynamics are frequently involved and need to be addressed. This disorder is often preceded by parental psychopathology, maladaptive parenting, childhood maltreatment, and other childhood adversities.2
1. McNamara D. Obesity behind rise in incidence of primary hypertension. Family Practice News April 1, 2003;45.
2. Johnson JG, Cohen PC, Kasen S, Brook JS. Childhood adversities associated with risk for eating disorders or weight problems during adolescence or early adulthood. Am J Psychiatry 2002;159:394-499.
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