Running head: EATING DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS 1
Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Student’s Name:
Institutional Affiliation:
, EATING DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS 2
Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Eating disorders (ED) are serious challenge among children and adolescents in Western
cultures. Among chronic illnesses, EDs have the second-highest fatality rates and is more fatal
than even diabetes mellitus. The three major types of EDs include Anorexia Nervosa (AN),
Binge Eating Disorder (BED), and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). The high prevalence rate of the
disease in adolescents is related to the explosive development and growth witnessed at the
puberty stage. The disease is also common among children because it is difficult for most
pediatrics to identify the condition at this stage. Genetic, neurobiological, environmental, dietary,
and sociocultural factors have been associated with the disease. The high prevalence, mortality,
and morbidity rates of the disease are a severe concern for the population, making it necessary to
prevent and cure the condition. Prevention is the best plan for rescuing the endangered children
and adolescents as it prevents prognosis. There is also family-based treatment and
pharmacotherapy for children and adolescents who have already been affected by the condition.
Given the high prevalence and mortality rates of eating disorders, it would be prudent to analyze
children and adolescents' conditions.
Prevalence Rates
Eating disorders or EDs are a common condition among children and adolescents from
western cultures. The three most common types of EDs include Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Binge
Eating Disorder (BED), and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). Anorexia Nervosa or AN has an average
lifespan prevalence rate ranging from 0.2% and 5% (Campbell & Peebles, 2014). The onset of
the disease is estimated to be among adolescents between 13 and 17 years old. Among all EDs,
AN has the highest fatality rate ranging from 5 to 6 percent. The recorded mortality rate makes it
Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Student’s Name:
Institutional Affiliation:
, EATING DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS 2
Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Eating disorders (ED) are serious challenge among children and adolescents in Western
cultures. Among chronic illnesses, EDs have the second-highest fatality rates and is more fatal
than even diabetes mellitus. The three major types of EDs include Anorexia Nervosa (AN),
Binge Eating Disorder (BED), and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). The high prevalence rate of the
disease in adolescents is related to the explosive development and growth witnessed at the
puberty stage. The disease is also common among children because it is difficult for most
pediatrics to identify the condition at this stage. Genetic, neurobiological, environmental, dietary,
and sociocultural factors have been associated with the disease. The high prevalence, mortality,
and morbidity rates of the disease are a severe concern for the population, making it necessary to
prevent and cure the condition. Prevention is the best plan for rescuing the endangered children
and adolescents as it prevents prognosis. There is also family-based treatment and
pharmacotherapy for children and adolescents who have already been affected by the condition.
Given the high prevalence and mortality rates of eating disorders, it would be prudent to analyze
children and adolescents' conditions.
Prevalence Rates
Eating disorders or EDs are a common condition among children and adolescents from
western cultures. The three most common types of EDs include Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Binge
Eating Disorder (BED), and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). Anorexia Nervosa or AN has an average
lifespan prevalence rate ranging from 0.2% and 5% (Campbell & Peebles, 2014). The onset of
the disease is estimated to be among adolescents between 13 and 17 years old. Among all EDs,
AN has the highest fatality rate ranging from 5 to 6 percent. The recorded mortality rate makes it
