AboutKidsHealth

Anorexia nervosa: Overview

A

Anorexia nervosa: Overview

English

Psychiatry

Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)

Body

NA

Conditions and diseases

Caregivers Adult (19+)

NA

2023-09-12T04:00:00Z

12.5000000000000

34.9000000000000

632.000000000000

Health (A-Z) - Conditions

Health A-Z

<p>Find out how anorexia nervosa can occur and who is most likely to be affected by it.</p>

<h2>What is anorexia nervosa?</h2><p>Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder caused by a biological disorder of the brain that leads to a distorted body image and under-eating to maintain an unhealthy low weight.</p><p>People with anorexia nervosa have an overpowering fear of being overweight and an extreme desire to be thin. They may also have a distorted body image which causes them to see themselves as overweight when they are not. This can cause them to engage in behaviours that will result in weight loss such as dieting or restricting their food intake, over-exercising, and/or using medication to control their appetite.</p><p>Anorexia nervosa can affect anyone regardless of body shape, size, weight, age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic background. Anorexia nervosa is not a choice; it is a serious and life-threatening biologically-influenced illness.</p>

<h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder caused by a biological disorder of the brain that leads to a distorted body image and under-eating to maintain an unhealthy low weight.</li><li>People with anorexia nervosa have an overpowering fear of being overweight and an extreme desire to be thin. They may have a distorted body image and engage in behaviours that will result in weight loss.</li><li>Anorexia nervosa arises from a mix of social factors, stressful life events and genetics.</li><li>Anorexia nervosa usually affects girls aged 13 to 15 years; but, in recent years, it has started to affect more boys and younger children.</li></ul>

<h2>What causes anorexia nervosa?</h2><p>The exact causes of anorexia nervosa are unknown. Generally, anorexia nervosa results from a mix of social factors, stressful life events, and genetics.</p><h3>Social factors </h3><p>Taking part in activities that emphasize thinness, such as ballet, gymnastics and modelling, may be a factor in developing anorexia nervosa. Other social factors include pressure to fit in with peers and the media's emphasis on a very narrow range of ideal body types such as being thin or very muscular.</p><h3>Stressful life events </h3><p>A person might develop anorexia nervosa if they do not feel in control over their own life, especially during or after a stressful event. They will try to control their calorie intake to exert extreme control over their eating and their weight. This is done to regain perceived control when other aspects of their lives feel uncontrollable.</p><h3>Genetics</h3><p>Having a relative who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder may be a risk factor for developing anorexia nervosa. If anorexia nervosa is present, it is also common for there to be a family history of <a href="/Article?contentid=270&language=English">anxiety disorders</a>.</p><h2>Who is affected by anorexia nervosa?</h2><p>Anorexia nervosa mainly affects teenage girls aged 13 to 15 years, but it can emerge at any age. In recent years, larger numbers of boys and younger children are being seen with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders.</p>

<h2>At SickKids</h2><p>SickKids has an eating disorder program that treats children and teens who are struggling with symptoms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. For more information on our program visit: <a href="http://www.sickkids.ca/adolescentmedicine/eating-disorders-program">www.sickkids.ca/adolescentmedicine/eating-disorders-program</a></p>

<h2>Further information</h2><p>For more information on anorexia nervosa, please see the following pages:</p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=269&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: Signs and symptoms</a></p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=267&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: Medical complications</a></p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=700&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: Treatment options</a></p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=266&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: How to help your child at home</a><br></p><p>Please visit our teen mental health hub for teen-specific resources on <a href="https://teens.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=3785&language=English&hub=mentalhealthAZ#mentalhealth">anorexia nervosa</a>.<br></p><h2>Resources</h2><p> <a href="http://www.nedic.ca/" target="_blank">NEDIC – National Eating Disorder Information Centre</a> (Canada)<br></p><p> <a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_blank">NEDA – National Eating Disorder Association</a> (United States)</p><p>American Academy of Pediatrics – <em> <a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Is-Your-Teen-at-Risk-for-Developing-an-Eating-Disorder.aspx" target="_blank">Eating Disorders in Children</a> </em></p><p> <a href="https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/" target="_blank">BEAT – Beating Eating Disorders</a> (United Kingdom)</p><p> <a href="https://keltyeatingdisorders.ca/" target="_blank">Kelty Eating Disorders</a> (Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, BC Children's Hospital)</p><p>Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario – <em><a href="https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/eating_disorder_info" target="_blank">Eating Disorders</a></em></p><p><a href="https://anad.org/">ANAD – National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders</a> (United States)</p><p> <strong></strong> <strong></strong> <strong>Virtual care services for children: </strong><br></p><p>Boomerang Health was opened by SickKids to provide communities in Ontario with greater access to community-based services for children and adolescents. For more information on virtual care services in Ontario to support eating disorders, visit <a href="http://www.boomeranghealth.com/services/nutrition/">Boomerang Health</a> powered by SickKids.<br></p>

Anorexie mentale : présentation générale

A

Anorexie mentale : présentation générale

Anorexia nervosa: Overview

French

Psychiatry

Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)

Body

NA

Conditions and diseases

Caregivers Adult (19+)

NA

2016-02-02T05:00:00Z

0

Health (A-Z) - Conditions

Health A-Z

<p> Découvrez comment l’anorexie mentale est déclenchée et qui est le plus susceptible d'en être atteint.</p>

<h2>En quoi consiste l’anorexie mentale?</h2> <p>L’anorexie mentale est un trouble du comportement alimentaire et de santé mentale caractérisé par une perception déformée de son image corporelle et une sous-alimentation afin de maintenir un poids insuffisant et malsain.</p> <p>Les anorexiques tentent de maintenir leur poids en-dessous du poids santé recommandé pour leur âge et leur taille. Pour ce faire, ils évitent de manger certains aliments, contrôlent rigoureusement leur apport en calories et, parfois, adoptent des régimes d’exercices excessifs, utilisent des pilules ou se font vomir pour perdre du poids (un comportement appelé purge).</p> <p>À cause de leur image corporelle déformée, les personnes anorexiques peuvent se dire trop grosses, peu importe leur poids réel, et avoir peur de prendre du poids et de devenir grosses.</p>

<h2>À retenir</h2> <ul> <li>L’anorexie est un trouble du comportement alimentaire et de santé mentale caractérisé par une perception déformée de son image corporelle et une sous-alimentation afin de maintenir un poids insuffisant et malsain.</li> <li>Les anorexiques contrôlent leur poids en évitant de manger certains aliments, en calculant rigoureusement leur apport en calories et, parfois, en adoptant des régimes d’exercices excessifs ou en utilisant des pilules pour perdre du poids.</li> <li>Le déclenchement de l’anorexie peut être associé à un ensemble de facteurs sociaux et d’événements stressants de la vie alliés à la génétique.</li> <li>L’anorexie frappe le plus souvent les filles âgées de 13 à 15 ans, mais dans les années récentes, ce trouble alimentaire est en hausse chez les garçons et les jeunes enfants.</li> </ul>

<h2>Quelles sont les causes de l’anorexie?</h2> <p>Les causes exactes de l’anorexie sont inconnues. En règle générale, son déclenchement peut être associé à un ensemble de facteurs sociaux et d’événements stressants de la vie alliés à la génétique.</p> <h3>Facteurs sociaux</h3> <p>La participation à des activités qui accentuent l’importance de la minceur, voire la gymnastique et la carrière de mannequin, peuvent favoriser le déclenchement de l’anorexie. D’autres facteurs sociaux sont la pression exercée par les pairs pour s’intégrer et l’importance accordée dans les médias à une très faible gamme de types corporels idéaux, tels la minceur ou une apparence très musclée.</p> <h3>Événements stressants de la vie</h3> <p>L’anorexie peut être déclenchée par un sentiment de manque de maîtrise sur sa propre vie, surtout pendant ou après un événement stressant. Les personnes qui en souffrent tenteront de contrôler leur apport en calories en surveillant de façon excessive ce qu’elles mangent ainsi que leur poids. Il s’agit pour elles d’un moyen de reprendre la maîtrise perçue de leur situation quand d’autres aspects de leur vie leur semblent incontrôlables.</p> <h3>Génétique</h3> <p>Le fait d’avoir un membre de la parenté chez qui un trouble alimentaire a été diagnostiqué peut être un facteur de risque dans le déclenchement de l’anorexie. Lorsque l’anorexie est présente, il est aussi fréquent de trouver des antécédents familiaux de <a href="/Article?contentid=270&language=French">troubles anxieux</a>.</p> <h2>Qui est atteint d’anorexie?</h2> <p>L’anorexie frappe le plus souvent les filles adolescentes âgées de 13 à 15 ans, cette affection peut se déclarer à tout âge. Dans les années récentes. l’anorexie et les autres troubles du comportement alimentaire sont à la hausse chez les garçons et les jeunes enfants.</p>

<h2>En savoir plus</h2><p>Pour plus d’informations sur l’anorexie, veuillez consulter les pages suivantes :</p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=269&language=French">Anorexie: signes avant-coureurs</a></p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=267&language=French">Anorexie: complications médicales</a></p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=700&language=French">Anorexie: options de traitement</a></p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=266&language=French">Anorexie: comment aider votre enfant à la maison</a></p><h2>Ressources</h2><p> <a href="http://www.nedic.ca/" target="_blank">NEDIC – Centre d’information sur les troubles alimentaires</a> (Canada)</p><p> <a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/">NEDA – Association nationale des troubles alimentaires</a> (États-Unis)</p><p>L'académie américaine de pédiatrie – <em> <a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Is-Your-Teen-at-Risk-for-Developing-an-Eating-Disorder.aspx" target="_blank">Eating Disorders in Children</a></em></p><p> <a href="https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/" target="_blank">BEAT – Lutter contre les troubles alimentaires</a> (Royaume Uni)</p><p> <a href="https://keltyeatingdisorders.ca/" target="_blank">Troubles alimentaires Kelty</a> (Centre de ressources sur la santé mentale Kelty, Hôpital pour enfants de la Colombie-Britannique)</p><p>Le Centre hospitalier pour enfants de l’est de l’Ontario – <a href="https://www.cheo.on.ca/fr/troubles_alimentaires_info" target="_blank"> <em>Eating Disorders</em></a></p>

Anorexia nervosa: Overview

268.000000000000

Anorexia nervosa: Overview

A

English

Psychiatry

Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)

Body

NA

Conditions and diseases

Caregivers Adult (19+)

NA

2023-09-12T04:00:00Z

12.5000000000000

34.9000000000000

632.000000000000

Health (A-Z) - Conditions

Health A-Z

<p>Find out how anorexia nervosa can occur and who is most likely to be affected by it.</p>

<h2>What is anorexia nervosa?</h2><p>Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder caused by a biological disorder of the brain that leads to a distorted body image and under-eating to maintain an unhealthy low weight.</p><p>People with anorexia nervosa have an overpowering fear of being overweight and an extreme desire to be thin. They may also have a distorted body image which causes them to see themselves as overweight when they are not. This can cause them to engage in behaviours that will result in weight loss such as dieting or restricting their food intake, over-exercising, and/or using medication to control their appetite.</p><p>Anorexia nervosa can affect anyone regardless of body shape, size, weight, age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic background. Anorexia nervosa is not a choice; it is a serious and life-threatening biologically-influenced illness.</p>

<h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder caused by a biological disorder of the brain that leads to a distorted body image and under-eating to maintain an unhealthy low weight.</li><li>People with anorexia nervosa have an overpowering fear of being overweight and an extreme desire to be thin. They may have a distorted body image and engage in behaviours that will result in weight loss.</li><li>Anorexia nervosa arises from a mix of social factors, stressful life events and genetics.</li><li>Anorexia nervosa usually affects girls aged 13 to 15 years; but, in recent years, it has started to affect more boys and younger children.</li></ul>

<h2>What causes anorexia nervosa?</h2><p>The exact causes of anorexia nervosa are unknown. Generally, anorexia nervosa results from a mix of social factors, stressful life events, and genetics.</p><h3>Social factors </h3><p>Taking part in activities that emphasize thinness, such as ballet, gymnastics and modelling, may be a factor in developing anorexia nervosa. Other social factors include pressure to fit in with peers and the media's emphasis on a very narrow range of ideal body types such as being thin or very muscular.</p><h3>Stressful life events </h3><p>A person might develop anorexia nervosa if they do not feel in control over their own life, especially during or after a stressful event. They will try to control their calorie intake to exert extreme control over their eating and their weight. This is done to regain perceived control when other aspects of their lives feel uncontrollable.</p><h3>Genetics</h3><p>Having a relative who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder may be a risk factor for developing anorexia nervosa. If anorexia nervosa is present, it is also common for there to be a family history of <a href="/Article?contentid=270&language=English">anxiety disorders</a>.</p><h2>Who is affected by anorexia nervosa?</h2><p>Anorexia nervosa mainly affects teenage girls aged 13 to 15 years, but it can emerge at any age. In recent years, larger numbers of boys and younger children are being seen with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders.</p>

<h2>At SickKids</h2><p>SickKids has an eating disorder program that treats children and teens who are struggling with symptoms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. For more information on our program visit: <a href="http://www.sickkids.ca/adolescentmedicine/eating-disorders-program">www.sickkids.ca/adolescentmedicine/eating-disorders-program</a></p>

<h2>Further information</h2><p>For more information on anorexia nervosa, please see the following pages:</p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=269&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: Signs and symptoms</a></p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=267&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: Medical complications</a></p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=700&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: Treatment options</a></p><p> <a href="/Article?contentid=266&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: How to help your child at home</a><br></p><p>Please visit our teen mental health hub for teen-specific resources on <a href="https://teens.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=3785&language=English&hub=mentalhealthAZ#mentalhealth">anorexia nervosa</a>.<br></p><h2>Resources</h2><p> <a href="http://www.nedic.ca/" target="_blank">NEDIC – National Eating Disorder Information Centre</a> (Canada)<br></p><p> <a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_blank">NEDA – National Eating Disorder Association</a> (United States)</p><p>American Academy of Pediatrics – <em> <a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Is-Your-Teen-at-Risk-for-Developing-an-Eating-Disorder.aspx" target="_blank">Eating Disorders in Children</a> </em></p><p> <a href="https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/" target="_blank">BEAT – Beating Eating Disorders</a> (United Kingdom)</p><p> <a href="https://keltyeatingdisorders.ca/" target="_blank">Kelty Eating Disorders</a> (Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, BC Children's Hospital)</p><p>Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario – <em><a href="https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/eating_disorder_info" target="_blank">Eating Disorders</a></em></p><p><a href="https://anad.org/">ANAD – National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders</a> (United States)</p><p> <strong></strong> <strong></strong> <strong>Virtual care services for children: </strong><br></p><p>Boomerang Health was opened by SickKids to provide communities in Ontario with greater access to community-based services for children and adolescents. For more information on virtual care services in Ontario to support eating disorders, visit <a href="http://www.boomeranghealth.com/services/nutrition/">Boomerang Health</a> powered by SickKids.<br></p>

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Anorexia nervosa: Overview

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