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One teenager, Susie, who wished to remain anonymous, developed her eating disorder when she was only 15.
"I just felt really self-conscious and unsatisfied with my body after constantly seeing celebrities and models with the perfect body," she said.
The direct cause of eating disorders is unknown, but according to the National Eating Disorders Association, one of the major issues that contribute to the disease is a series of social factors brought on by the media.
"I think eating disorders are a definite problem among young girls and I don't think they realize the severity of it," said Janet Freeman, a guidance counselor at St. Francis Borgia Regional High School. "I blame a lot of it on the media."
Many teens develop an eating disorder because they are unsatisfied with their own bodies and do not know where to look for help.
"I'm still struggling with my eating disorder. My friend got me help and I'm very thankful she did. She changed my life for the better," Susie said.
Eating disorders are a serious problem among many teens.
Counselors advise that if teens feel they have an eating disorder, they should seek help immediately.
"If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, tell someone. Guidance counselors, parents, relatives or teachers can all get you the help you need," Freeman said. "It's something you can't handle on your own."
Common Eating Disorders
* Anorexia Nervosa: More commonly referred to as anorexia, this disorder restricts food intake by dieting, fasting or excessive exercise. People with anorexia have a fear of weight gain and try to eat as few calories as possible.
Warning Signs: Someone with anorexia may count or portion food carefully, become very thin, frail or emaciated, be depressed, lethargic or lacking in energy and feel cold a lot.
* Bulimia Nervosa: More commonly referred to as bulimia, this disorder is characterized by habitual binge eating and purging. People with bulimia also may use compulsive exercise or other forms of purging food that they have eaten, such as by self-induced vomiting or laxative use to keep the calories down.
Warning Signs: Someone with bulimia may be intensely unhappy with body size, shape and weight, make excuses to go to the bathroom immediately after meals, only eat diet or low-fat foods, except during binges, or regularly buy laxatives.
- The above information is from the Kid's Health Organization.
