Anorexia symptoms even at a normal weight

Anorexia Despite Normal Weight: Watch Dramatic Weight Loss
If overweight teens lose weight dramatically in a short time, they may develop anorexia. This also applies if your current body weight is within the normal range. The number of those affected is steadily increasing, Australian scientists report in the journal "Pediatrics".

More than 250 adolescents, aged 15 to 16 years old, were admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne with suspected eating disorders. They were physically examined and participated in the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE). This is an interview on the classification and recording of mental disorders in eating disorders. The doctors diagnosed classic and in atypical anorexia in 118 patients (anorexia). Nine out of ten were girls.

Anorexia detect early and tackle. Image: Photographee.eu - fotolia

In atypical anorexia, teenagers had lost at least 10 percent of their body weight before the onset of illness, but their current body weight was within normal limits. Such patients were more likely to be overweight or obese (71% to 12%) than those who were "thin" anorexic patients before the disease and had lost significantly more weight (17.6 kg to 11.0 kg)..

In the physical examinations, there was little difference between the atypical and classical form. In contrast, mental symptoms were more pronounced: normal-weight people had a more negative body image and were even more dissatisfied with their body weight than adolescents with classic anorexia. The fear of regaining weight was more pronounced.

The scientists rated the atypical anorexia as a serious eating disorder with significant physical and psychological consequences. This means that even normal-weight teenagers who are suspected of having anorexia need to be thoroughly physically and psychologically examined, especially if they have lost a lot of weight lately. Heike Kreutz, aid