The pandemic has triggered the cases of Eating Disorders (TCA) in children and adolescents.
He increased use of screens and social networks, which has led to other health problems such as or , as well as the change in the Feeding Habits and sports practice, explain the alarming increase in eating disorders during childhood and adolescence.
A recent investigation, published in , emphasizes the worrying relationship between the use of social networks and the risk of suffering ACT in young people
The study, led by Alvaro Ojeda-Martinpoints out that they encourage “body surveillance and upward comparison”.
“The rise in cases has been brutal, especially in girls between 13-15 years old.” It counts georgina del vallechild and adolescent psychologist at Paidex-Quirón Dexeus University Hospitalto this portal.
“We are finding more and more cases of younger children, with problems with food and that have their origin in the confinement caused by Covid-19.”
The alarm bell, clarifies the TCA expert, is usually given by parents because at this age they know that something is happening, but they do not have enough information to name it.
“I have also come across cases in which it is the adolescents themselves who recognize in first person the problem they are suffering“.
This increase in cases, which Del Valle estimates at 30% compared to pre-pandemic data, is due to several reasons, as the psychologist explains:
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The are the window of relations with the outside worldwhich has increased exposure to profiles that promote sports, healthy eating and avoiding ultra-processed products.
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Change of routines caused by the lockdown.
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He stress characteristic of the health crisis, which has functioned as a “precipitant”.
Eating Disorders, which have a multifactorial originin Spain they have a prevalence rate in the adolescent population of between 4.1 and 4.5% between 12 and 21 years of age.
Bulimia, with 0.8%, is the most diagnosed ED in our country, followed by anorexia, 0.3%.
However, unspecified conduct disorder stands at 3.1% in the female population in that age range.
The role of social networks
The massive use of social networks, with the proliferation of applications in which photographs and videos are the cover letter, together with the use of filters that reduce centimeters from the body, has caused an increase in risk behaviors for eating disorders. .
The (ACAB) estimates the number of young people who could suffer from an eating disorder at 11%.
“They become aware of the importance of the physique and the aesthetic-corporal model at a very early age. And if I compare myself with other people first, these kinds of problems can start sooner.”
In addition, as the psychologist explains, “There are social networks that are very toxic with, for example, profiles that have tips for losing weight.”
The profile of children and adolescents diagnosed with an eating disorder “is very high or almost total in girls”, although this does not mean that there are children and young people with Eating Disorders.
And, predominates, anorexia but…
“There are cases that, three years after the diagnosis, turn to the bulimia nervosa”.
These are repeated episodes of Binge in which a large amount of food is ingested, accompanied by anxiety or guilt, and which are usually foods that have previously been prohibited.
It can be junk food, with a high caloric value (industrial pastries, chocolate…).
Subsequently, it is accompanied by compensatory behaviors to avoid gaining weight, and not only through vomiting. It can also be increasing physical exercise to burn maximum calories, fasting or restricting caloric intake.
Anorexia and bulimia: when the scale is the worst enemy
“I have found cases of patients who drank a lot of water. Like five or six liters. Because that gives them the feeling of having a full stomach, it satisfies them, and thus they lose weight”. It is one of the many extreme cases of Eating Disorders that Georgina del Valle has encountered in her consultation.
People with eating disorders usually tend to suddenly consume light products (sweetened drinks that we find in their most ‘healthy’ version on the shelves), water and also chewing gum. Therefore, before the first symptom, the first thing to do is seek help from a mental health professional.
“Parents should inform the pediatrician of the adolescent’s attitude and he will refer them to a specialist. If there is good follow-up, it is a disorder that can be overcome, and in two or three years there can be an almost complete recovery,” he explains.
“But I always explain to them that, in the end, the TCAs are always there. They are a kind of shadow that if we get confused we can relapse again ”.
What types of TCA are there?
- anorexia nervosa
- bulimia nervosa
- Binge eating disorder
– TCANE (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). They are incomplete pictures of anorexia or bulimia. They have symptoms related to eating behavior, but do not meet sufficient criteria for diagnosis such as anorexia or bulimia.
– Rumination Disorder. Regurgitation of food, from the stomach to the mouth, returning to chew it again. This situation, prolonged over time, prevents an adequate and healthy weight from being maintained.
- Avoidant or restriction food disorder
- PICA. It is a disorder characterized by the ingestion of non-nutritive substances, such as sand or plaster. “It is a condition that is not common and in which to control impulses they ingest sand, adhesive “zeal”, feces…”
In recent years, new diagnoses have also been included as Eating Disorders:
- vigorexia. Compulsively performing physical exercise, which is combined with diet to lose weight or gain muscle mass.
- orthorexia. Obsession with eating healthy and characterized by…