Student A

Middle childhood and adolescence can present many challenges. Teenagers are oftencaught up in struggling self-esteem issues, self-doubt, anxiety, mental health issues anda powerful desire to fit in with peers.

Weight can present teens with many challenges, specifically eating disorders. Eatingdisorders are complex illnesses that affect adolescents with increasing frequency. Theyrank as the third most common chronic illness in adolescent females (Kreipe, 1998).Adolescents sometimes switch from dieting obsessively to overeating and overexercising and back again. This affects mostly girls but can happen in boy too,especially those involved in sports, such as wrestling where weight requirementsbecome part of the participation process (Berger 2019).

Physically, there is evidence that adolescents with eating disorders may lose criticaltissue components, such as muscle mass, body fat and bone minerals, during a phaseof growth when dramatic increases in these key elements should be taking place in thebody (Kreipe, 1998). According to a study done in 1998, researchers looked atteenagers ages 14-18 years old and followed them into adulthood. They discoveredthat no organ system was spared the effects of eating disorders and although thephysical signs and symptoms were primarily related to weight control behaviors, thehealth care professionals who studies them found that an eating disorder appeared toimprove with nutritional rehabilitation and recovery from the eating disorder, but someissues, especially cardiac related, were irreversible. Some of the physical complicationsincluded growth retardation, loss of bone mass, and even shrinking of the pre-frontalcortex in the brain (Whitaker, 1992). Medically, there appear to be several signs andsymptoms that teenagers will experience if they are suffering from an eating disorder.These include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, heart problems, low blood pressure,trouble regulating body temperature, damage to the esophagus and acid reflux(Bhandari, 2020).

Cognitively, eating disorder adolescence often have persistent, obsessive thoughtsabout food, hunger, exercise, and body shape. It is thought that these thoughts “use up”some of their cognitive resources, leaving less ability to plan other decisions andperform other tasks (Weider, 2014). Recent studies have linked eating disorders toimpaired cognitive functioning. Evidence points to problems with visuo-spatial reasoningand motor function. More importantly, the functioning of the central executive seems tobe impaired in eating disordered teens (Weider, 2014). The central executive is a criticalcomponent of the mind, often referred to as the conductor that coordinates thinking.include the initiation of decision making, and planning out tasks are all compromisedand impaired by the lack of nutrition and the consequences of over exercising on the

body. In other words, the repercussions are severe, can be lifelong, and if not treatedand properly addressed can lead to death (Bhandari, 2020).

As for socio-emotional development, adolescents with eating disorders experiencesocial isolation, low self-esteem, affective disorders, low self-concept, substance abuse,anxiety, and depression. Adolescents will often switch to unhealthy eating habitsbecause of depression and lack of knowledge about effective techniques to lose weight.Teens who are being treated for eating disorders must also be treated for psychiatricillnesses at the same time, if they have any, to prevent long term co-occurringpsychiatric concerns (Berger, 2019). There also appears to be certain personality traitsthat sometimes can lead to eating disorders or give clues that a teen may be at risk forone. They include perfectionism at school and at home, and this can manifest asexpressing body image complaints and concerns like being too fat or unable to acceptcompliments. Also being withdrawn; including changes in attitude and academicperformance. Flattened or absent emotions is also a key component as is appearingsad, depressed, anxious, ashamed, embarrassed, or expressing feelings ofworthlessness. Changes in thoughts or conversations about food or beinguncomfortable or unwilling to share food. There may be incessant talk about weight,shape, exercise, and cooking (Whitaker, 1992).

There are many therapies that have been found to be effective in treating eatingdisorders. Individual therapy usually involves behavioral and cognitive techniques andgroup therapy. Family therapy is also common and focuses on supporting the family innutritional rehabilitation techniques and how to navigate mental health issues.Nutritional therapy or counselling can provide adolescents with nutrition education, mealplanning, and goal setting, which helps them cultivate a healthier relationship with foodfor life-long change going forward (Bhandari, 2020). While it can be a tremendouschallenge to overcome, it is not impossible. The key is early intervention, an open andpositive dialog, and a strong support system. The consequences of doing nothing ornot taking eating disorders seriously can and often does, result in tragic consequencesfor many teens and their families.

Sources:

Berger, SB. (2019). Invitation to the Life Span (4th. Ed.)