Eating disorders can be associated with psychological and physical disorders. Eating disorders will usually be easily seen in adolescence to adulthood, but not infrequently also found in children. How are the symptoms?
Eating disorders in children
Many think eating disorders affect more girls, when in fact boys also have the same risk for developing the disease. Eating disorders will be easier to deal with if it has been detected early, but in fact eating disorders in children are more difficult to recognize because of the basic nature of children who sometimes have difficulty eating or more picky about food.
Children who have parents or siblings who have an eating disorder have a higher risk of developing the same disease, as do children with serious mental and physical illnesses such as depression or diabetes.
Some psychological characteristics in children who experience eating disorders, namely children become afraid of stomach pain, often angry and go to the bathroom while eating, and worry about their appearance. As for physical characteristics, namely weight loss, stunted growth when compared to other children his age, thinning hair, and digestive problems.
Types of eating disorders in children
Refusing to eat certain foods
This is the most common eating disorder for children. The symptom is that children avoid certain foods, usually because they don't like texture and smell or because they fear getting sick if they eat food. This behavior is very common in children, although parents need to be vigilant if the child's nutritional intake is impaired.
Pica
Pica is an eating disorder when children consume something that is not food that usually occurs in toddlers. Something can be a dangerous object like sand, soap, or even hair. This type of eating disorder can occur due to lack of supervision from parents.
Anorexia nervosa
This eating disorder is commonly known as anorexia. Children suffering from anorexia will continue to think that their bodies are fat, when in reality they are not. Eventually children become obsessed with reducing portions of food to control their weight. In some cases, children may intentionally spit out food they have eaten.
In overcoming eating disorders in children, a combination of approaches are needed in mental and physical terms. For starters, parents should stay calm and advise children slowly. Educate your child about the benefits of the food they eat. Also avoid conversations that lead to unrealistic expectations of ideal shape and weight. Teach children to be able to accept themselves for who they are and understand the concept of a healthy body appropriately.
If the usual advice does not affect, you should immediately take the child to a doctor who can handle it more professionally. Remember, Healthy Friends, eating disorders will be easier to cure if treated early.
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