Study Exposes High Rate of Disordered Eating Among Australian Adolescents
(MENAFN) New research from Flinders University indicates that nearly one-third of Australian adolescents, specifically 31.6 percent, exhibit disordered eating behaviors annually.
The Adelaide institution highlighted that their study pinpointed the ten most prevalent initial indicators of eating disorders in children and is encouraging families to seek professional help promptly before the issues worsen, according to a university press release.
The research, published in the U.S.-based International Journal of Eating Disorders, notes that while eating disorders can affect anyone, they frequently emerge during adolescence and can swiftly progress into serious and potentially fatal conditions.
"Spotting the early signs of an eating disorder in a child can be difficult, because it can start very innocently with subtle changes to their habits," explained Jamie-Lee Pennesi, the lead author of the study.
Pennesi, an eating disorder specialist at Flinders University, further stated, "If these behaviors aren't addressed, they can quickly develop into serious eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa."
The study identified key early warning signs, including excessive, compulsive, or secretive exercise, noticeable weight changes, an intense focus on food or meal preparation, eliminating entire food categories, lying about eating habits, a fixation on body image, self-induced vomiting, frequent trips to the bathroom after eating, and skipping meals.
Tracey Wade of Flinders University, who has worked as a clinician in the field of eating disorders for three decades, observed that many parents postpone seeking assistance due to a lack of understanding or by underestimating the seriousness of early symptoms.
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