Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Anorexia Can Kill At Any Weight


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Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ea4aQpMgii8

 

We think of those with the anorexia eating disorder as skinny, undernourished teens and 20 somethings.  The latest research from UC-San Francisco shows that anorexics may have normal body weights, be overweight or obese.  They can also suffer profound metabolic disturbances that may be fatal.

 

Such patients suffer from so-called Atypical Anorexia.  The investigators compared 50 atypical anorexics with 66 underweight anorexics.  More than 90% were female with an average age of 16.  

 

Atypicals and standard anorexics both have cardiac problems and menstrual irregularities.. Atypicals have more negative feelings about their bodies and are more likely to have experienced large, rapid, and continuing weight losses.

 

Anorexia is dangerous.  If you suspect it, get professional help.

 

Andrea K. Garber, Jing Cheng, Erin C. Accurso, Sally H. Adams, Sara M. Buckelew, Cynthia J. Kapphahn, Anna Kreiter, Daniel Le Grange, Vanessa I. Machen, Anna-Barbara Moscicki, Kristina Saffran, Allyson F. Sy, Leslie Wilson, Neville H. Golden. Weight Loss and Illness Severity in Adolescents With Atypical Anorexia Nervosa. Pediatrics, 2019; e20192339 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-2339

 

#Anorexia #atypicalanorexia #eatingdisorders

Anorexia, atypicalanorexia, eatingdisorders

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Dr. Howard Smith ReportsBy Howard G. Smith MD, AM