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Eating disorders difficult to diagnose
(WebMD) -- "About 1 percent of adolescents are anorexic, and up to 4 percent are bulimic," says Dr. Seth Ammerman, assistant clinical professor of adolescent medicine at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. "But many more have what's known as 'disordered eating.' They don't meet the criteria for bulimia or anorexia, but they do have high body dissatisfaction and health problems related to poor nutrition and being underweight."
Disordered eating is a relatively new and difficult diagnosis.
"These eaters don't fall easily into a category, so we have a tough time identifying them," says Leslie Bonci, R.D., M.P.H., a Pittsburgh-based spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association and an eating disorders counselor.
How do you know if you suffer from disordered eating? "One clue is when food begins to control you instead of you controlling food," says Bonci. Specific signs include the following:
Although disordered eating is a phase that anorexics and bulimics often pass through on their way to a full-fledged eating disorder, it does not need to be treated in the same aggressive way, says Bonci. "If you think that someone close to you may be suffering from disordered eating, keep an eye on them and let them know that you're concerned about them and that you're there if they need support." A response more drastic than that may send the person over the edge, she warns.
© 2000 Healtheon/WebMD. All rights reserved.
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