Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating Disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder can become life threatening if left untreated. These are serious conditions that have a negative impact on one’s health. The exact cause of eating disorders has not been truly defined. However, experts believe some of the factors to be any combination of a genetic pre-disposition, psychological illness, the influence of our media, weight restrictions placed by certain types of sports and activities, and having a poor self image.

Due to the complex nature of this illness that affects both the physical and mental health of an individual, successfully treating eating disorders is a difficult task that requires multiple approaches. The key factor in treating an eating disorder is early intervention. The longer an eating disorder remains untreated, the harder it becomes to treat. Confronting someone about their eating disorder may seem unnerving, but it is crucial to encourage treatment as soon as the problem becomes evident. If a person is presented for treatment of an eating disorder, the first step is to assess their physical health. If they are under or overweight, the main goal becomes achieving a healthy weight range to avoid health problems that can occur as a result.

Often eating disorders are associated with depression or other psychological problems that will need to be treated before the patient can overcome the problem. Also, any substance abuse problems that may be present will need to be treated in the beginning. In conjunction with getting the patient back to a healthy weight range, treatment usually involves individual psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and sometimes family therapy. Therapy work to treat psychological disturbances, low self esteem, and interpersonal conflicts that contribute to eating disorders. Treatment also involves teaching the patient healthy behaviors involving food.

In serious cases, involving anorexia or bulimia, hospitalization may be required to help the patient break the cycle of their disorder. There are various treatment facilities across the county that specialize in the treatment of eating disorders. The most important thing is to find professional help. A person struggling with an eating disorder will have little success overcoming their problem alone. Even after recovery, it is recommended that the patient attend group therapy and seek out support in order to prevent a relapse.

Childhood Obesity

Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher.  It is not defined as a few extra pounds.  In order for a person to be diagnosed as obese, their weight must be at least 10% or higher than what is recommended for their height and body type.  Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States.  In fact, over the last 40 years the number of obese children has increased times 4.  Recent studies show that between 16 and 30 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity most commonly begins in children between the ages of 5 and 6, and during adolescence.  In more than 70% of these cases, obesity continues into adulthood and can cause serious health problems.

Obesity in children can be attributed to a number of causes.  These days American children live a more sedentary lifestyle.  The popularity of television, computers, and video games is deterring our youth from going outdoors and being active.  Less than half of all American children have parents  that set an example of regularly physical activity.  Also, less than one-third of children still participate in a physical education class in school.  In addition, genetics play a large role in childhood obesity, but experts attribute the greatest cause to be poor dietary habits, which can lead to eating disorders.  Children today consume processed snacks, sugary drinks, and a lot more fast food, than those of previous generations. 

The effects of childhood obesity can be especially problematic.  Studies have shown that many overweight and obese children have a lower self esteem than children of a normal weight.  The effect on self esteem is greater in girls than in boys.  Children with low self esteem are less likely to make friends and interact socially.  It puts them at greater risk for depression and emotional disturbances.  Although these are serious issues, even more concerning is the negative health impacts of obesity.  Due to the fact that most obese children will become obese adults, there is a great cause for concern.  Obesity can eventually lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, respiratory problems, cancer and more,   An estimated 300,000 premature deaths are caused by obesity annually.  It is time for people to take action and prevent obesity from an early age.

Teen Drinking and Driving Statistics

Alarmingly, 60% of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol related. Perhaps it is peer pressure that encourages teens to drink and drive. Since teens are not supposed to be drinking at all, it might be more difficult for them to return home in a taxi and have to explain to their parents why. Also, teens might be hard pressed for a reliable designated driver. The bottom line is that if we discourage them from underage drinking all together, we can alleviate some of the horrible statistics.

It is difficult to know why teens chose to drink and drive. However, it can safely be said that very few of them fully understand the driving impairment effects to their full extent. Teens have a particularly low tolerance to alcohol. Therefore, even a couple of drinks can have a negative impact on their motor skills. In a recent study, it was declared that teenage boys with a blood alcohol of .05-.10 are 18 times more likely to be in a single car crash than their peers who are not drinking. This is below the what most states consider the legally drunk limit, there are also underage drinking laws that come into play even without driving. Teenage girls are at even greater danger being 54 times more likely to crash under the same circumstances.

With such a large number of the population being victimized by drunk drivers, it is likely that you or someone you know has been affected. It has been a continuous battle to stop teens from driving drunk, but great strides are being made. Many places are initiating a “Safe Rides” program, where teens can call and get a free taxi service if they have been drinking. Also, more than 20 states now impement a program where first time offenders are forced to meet face to face with a panel of drunken driver victim’s families, as part of the consequences for underage drinking. Overall, the law enforcement everywhere is growing stricter. However, it is everyone’s responsibility to fight against teen drinking and driving.

Teen Pregnancy Statistics

Approximately one-third of young women in the United States become pregnant before the age of 20. Teen pregnancy is an issue for a number of reasons. Teen mothers struggle to complete their educations and generally fall into a lower socioeconomic status. On the other hand, abortions can have complications and often cause emotional turmoil. Children born of teenage mothers may also suffer consequences. They are less likely to receive proper health care, nutrition, and social and cognitive stimulation. In addition, babies of teenage mothers are more likely to have a low birth weight, which can result in severe developmental disorders. The following is a list of facts and statistics, emphasizing the problems related to teen pregnancy.

• Eighty percent of teen mothers must rely on welfare at some point.
• Only about one-third of teenage mothers receive a high school diploma.
• Teen pregnancies are associated with a higher amount of alcohol and drug use
• There are over 200,000 teen abortions every year.
• Teen pregnancy costs the United States at least $7 billion annually.
• The sons of teen mothers are 13% more likely to end up in prison, while teen daughters are 22% more likely to become teen mothers themselves.
• Approximately 25% of teen mothers who give birth have another baby within 2 years.
• More than 80% of teen pregnancies are unplanned or unintentional.
• 7.2% of mothers receive no prenatal care, while many others receive delayed prenatal care.
• 46% of all 15-19 year olds in the United States have had sex at least once.

Although these  teen pregnancy statistics seem bleak, there has actually been a steady decline in teenage pregnancy over the years. It has decreased more than 36% from it’s peak in 1990. With modern forms of birth control that are more easily accessible to teens, fewer girls are getting pregnant. In addition, fewer teenage girls are becoming sexually active at a young age. Educating young women and encouraging them to pursue their goals are two ways to discourage teen pregnancy. Due to the fact that teenage pregnancy has so many negative consequences for the mother, the child, and society as a whole, we need to make an active effort to find new prevention methods.

Smokeless Tobacco and Teens

Teens are particularly vulnerable to the tobacco industry. The majority of people who use tobacco products started before their high school graduation. Smokeless tobacco is not a deadly as cigarettes can be. However, it is still dangerous and poses great health risks. Unfortunately, the recent bans on smoking may be promoting the use of smokeless tobacco. Since many kids cannot smoke on school property or at school functions, the tobacco companies are marketing smokeless tobacco as a more discrete alternative to cigarettes. According to a recent survey, approximately 8% of high school students admitted to using smokeless tobacco in the last 30 days. In addition, more than 13% of high school boys and 2% of girls have used smokeless tobacco in some form.

Smokeless tobacco is a carcinogenic substance. Oral cavity cancer is strongly associated with it’s use. Signs of oral cancer include a persistent sore throat, a lump or white patch, restricted movement of the tongue or jaw, difficulty chewing, or a feeling that something is in the throat. Another great problem associated with smokeless tobacco is nicotine dependence. Just like smoking cigarettes, smokeless tobacco build a physical addiction. It is habit forming and a very hard habit to break. In addition, smokeless tobacco has very negative effects on teeth and gums of users. It’s prolonged contact with the teeth and gums causes tooth decay, tooth abrasion, tooth discoloration, bad breath, and severe gum recession that can lead to tooth loss.

In our efforts to discourage teens from using smokeless tobacco, it is important to educate them on the long term effects. Showing them photographs of people who have oral cancer or have had oral cancer removed is often an effective deterrent. It is also important to provide teens with a tobacco free environment at home. If your teen or someone you know is already using smokeless tobacco, encourage them to quit and help them to set realistic goals. Help them substitute the habit with positive activities and reinforce good behavior. It is very important that tobacco use prevention information is shared with all teens. Smokeless tobacco has a negative effect on ones health and is a problem that should be dealt with immediately.

Underage Drinking

Approximately 5,000 youth under the age of 21 die each year from alcohol related motor vehicle accidents, homicides, suicides, and other unintentional accidents. In a recent survey, more than 28% of teens admitted to consuming alcohol during the 30 days prior to the survey. Underage drinking costs United State’s citizens more than $60 billion dollars annually. Lives have been lost and people have been seriously injured. Underage drinking is a serious problem in America that needs to be addressed.

 Alcohol is the drug of choice for many of America’s youth. They start early, as the average age for youth to consume their first alcoholic beverage is only 14. The ages of adolescence are especially trying because they involve serious physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes. Although there is no single explanation for why teens drink, there are certain aspects that lead to underage drinking. Teens are more likely to drink if they have parents who drink or friends who drink. Due to the fact that alcohol is a depressant to the central nervous system, teens drink to obtain the associated sensations and reduce tension. Unsurprisingly, they do it for a lot of the same reasons that adults do. However, due to the immature nature of those who are underage, when teens drink, the effects can be devastating.

Recent studies show that heavy teen drinking can inhibit development. Significant brain development occurs before the age of 21. Teens who binge drink may do damage to their memories and learning abilities by hampering the development of the hippocampus. This may also alter perceptions of spatial relationships and cause verbal skill deficits. However, an even more serious effect of teen drinking is that it can lead to adult dependence. Youth who start drinking before the age of 14 are 4 times more likely to become addicted as adults. In addition, underage drinking can lead to legal problems, family problems, poor performance in school, use of more serious drugs, and other risk taking behavior.

 In order to prevent underage drinking schools, families, and communities all need to do their part to educate the youth, set good examples for them, and involve them in other activities. If your child or someone you know is drinking while underage, you should encourage them to stop and seek professional help if necessary.

Teen Violence Statistics

In the United States, the second leading cause for death among young people between the ages of 10 and 24 is youth violence. While bullying, slapping, or hitting may cause more emotional damage than physical, acts like robbery, assault, or rape can lead to serious injury or even death. According to a survey in 2005, nearly 7% of high school students admitted to taking a gun, knife, or club to school in the 30 days prior to the survey. Plus, 36% of high school students reported being in a physical fight in the last 12 months. Cuts, bruises, broken bones, and gun shot wounds are seen in the emergency room frequently. Teen violence is a public health problem that needs to be addressed. The following are statistics related to teen violence.

- In 2005, an average of 16 people between the ages of 10 and 24 were murdered daily.

- In 2006 more than 720,000 violence related injuries were treated in the emergency room, involving young people.

- 9% of students said that they had been threatened with a weapon while on school property in the last year. (However, less than 1% of violent deaths are school related.)

- Nearly 7% of students claim to have missed school in the last month because they felt it was unsafe to be there, due to school violence.

- Almost 30% of all youth in the United States are estimated to be involved in bullying, either as the bully or the target.

- In 2000, 9% of all murders were committed by a youth under the age of 18. The youth also accounted for 15% of the arrests related to violent crimes.

- About 1 in 11 high school students say that they have made a suicide attempt in the past year.

- 42% of high school males believe that it is okay to hit or threaten a person who makes them angry.

Risk factors for teen violence include drug, alcohol, or tobacco use, family issues, poor grades, a low socioeconomic status, a prior history of violence, and association with delinquent peers. Some strategies for fighting against teen violence include, parent and family based programs for improving family relationships, programs that teach the youth how to resolve problems without violence, changes to a teen’s physical and social environment, and mentoring programs that pair adults with the youth. The main goal is to stop teen violence before it starts.

Teen Smoking

Approximately 80% of all adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18.  Half of them smoked regularly by the age of 18.  Every day, around 3,600 children between the ages of 12 and 17 will smoke their first cigarette.  Fortunately, over the years the trends in teenage smoking have been decreasing instead of increasing.  However, these numbers show that teen smoking is still a great issue.

Teen smoking is dangerous for a large number of reasons.  First of all, it often forms an addiction which persists into adulthood.  However, the more immediate effects of teen smoking include coughing and phlegm production, retardation in lung development, decreased physical fitness, an increase in the number and severity of respiratory infections, and an unfavorable lipid profile.  Long term effects of smoking include cardiovascular disease, stroke, emphysema, and lung cancer to just name a few.  Each year more than 400,000 people die from smoking related illnesses.  It is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing more people than illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle accidents, suicide, and HIV combined. 

With so many health risks involved, it is no wonder why the government is spending millions of dollars for an anti-smoking campaign.  Although our society tries to educate teens on the ill effects of smoking, many of them still continue to light up cigarettes.  We need to try harder.  The following is a list of ways to discourage your child from smoking. 

Talk to your child about smoking directly.  Find out why it might appeal to them and inform them of the reasons that they should refrain.
Encourage kids to get involved in sports and other activities that discourage smoking.
Emphasize what children do right rather than wrong.  Building their confidence will help them to fight against peer pressure. 
Discuss the dangers of tobacco use and the long term health effects with your teen. 
Establish a rule against smoking at your house based on the fact that smokers smell bad, look bad and feel bad. 

These are just a few of the ways that you can help to prevent teenage smoking.  For additional information, research the internet or meet with your teen’s school counselor.  As teens are becoming educated, fewer are smoking than before.  Let’s do our part to see that number decrease even further.

Teen Drug Addiction

Obviously there is no one explanation that covers all teen drug abuse. However, there are certain characteristics that most teenage drug users will share. In a recent study, 73% of teens who have used drugs said that they did it to cope. They were simply overwhelmed by their daily lives. Two other reasons why teenagers start taking drugs include curiosity and peer pressure. Teenagers generally have an energy that makes them more adventurous than adults. They are likely to try a drug just to experience the high that they have heard about from others. Also, both active and passive forms of peer pressure encourage teens to take drugs. Often, they do it as a way to “fit in” with their peers or make friends.

Teens who are at higher risk for using drugs include those with a history of physical or sexual abuse, learning disabilities, or emotional problems. Also, low parent supervision or communication, inconsistent parenting or severe parental discipline, and severe family conflicts can put a teen at greater risk for drug use. Drug use has been linked to genetic and environmental factors. If there is a family history of alcohol or drug abuse, a teen is more likely to try drugs.

Warning signs for teen drug use include lying, withdrawal from normal activities and family, not coming home on time or telling you where they are going, isolating them self to their room, disrespecting family rules, changes in appetite, changes in sleeping patterns, verbally or physically abusive, changes in friends, and defiant of authority. Teens who are unhappy and depressed or anxious could be struggling with a drug addiction. Also, if they show physical symptoms such as weight gain or loss, puncture marks, constricted pupils, red or blood shot eyes, or lose of coordination, it may be a sign that they are abusing drugs.

Most teens do not expect to become addicted to a drug while using it for recreation. However, few addicts realize when they have crossed the line between casual use and addiction. Any drug use is dangerous and requires an immediate intervention. If you are concerned that your teen might be doing drugs, get professional help as soon as possible.

Eating Disorder Clinics

If you are someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, there is help available. Full recovery can take place as the issues behind the eating disorder are resolved and behavioral therapy helps to break the cycle involved. Eating disorder clinics are located all over the world.

There are three types of eating disorder clinics. There are inpatient, residential, or outpatient facilities. Inpatient clinics are for the most severe cases of eating disorders. They offer constant supervision, usually in a hospital setting, and are intended for patients who need long term care. Residential eating disorder clinics are a little more relaxed. They provide some supervision of the patient, but also allow for some freedom. They are usually designed to be a comfortable place for a person with an eating disorder to get therapy and have their eating habits monitored by professionals. Outpatient facilities are geared toward individuals with eating disorders who are ready and willing to make changes. An outpatient only visits the facility a number of times each week and maintains residence in their own home while receiving treatment.

An eating disorder clinic is staffed with a psychotherapist who works with the patient to overcome the mental issues that contribute to an eating disorder. This kind of therapy usually focuses on self esteem issues and behavioral changes. A psychiatrist may also be present at a clinic in order to prescribe medications for psychiatric symptoms related to an eating disorder. In addition, an eating disorder clinic is staffed with a medical doctor and medical support staff. The medical staff at an eating disorder clinic is there to formally diagnose the eating disorder and provide supervision. They also work to treat any illnesses that complicate eating disorders or that may be cause by the eating disorder.

When searching for an eating disorder clinic that can help, there are a few things to take into consideration. Costs is one of them. It is important to find out if the clinic will accept your insurance. Another consideration is the recovery success rate of a clinic. Find out what the recovery rate is that is specific to the type of eating disorder being treated. Also, ask about the average length of treatment. It is especially important for inpatients and residential treatment patients to know how long they will be at a facility. Another important thing to consider is how the clinic involves parents and siblings. Creating a support system in the home is an important aspect of recovery.

With treatment, a full recovery can take place. It is important to get professional help as soon as possible. Early intervention increases the rate of recovery and can prevent serious medical side effects. Clinics can be located by using the phone book, internet, or a referral from a medical doctor or mental health professional.