Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Facts About Eating Disorders   Between 3 and 5 percent of all adolescent females have a diagnosable eating disorder. Anorexia is much more common among females, however, males are less likely to seek treatment, which further complicates the disorder. Among adolescents with eating disorders, many also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

The term eating disorders refers to a variety of disorders. The common feature of all the eating disorders is abnormal eating behaviors. Eating disorders are serious mental health problems and can be life threatening.  
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are common eating disorders of adolescents and young adults. Obesity may also be included as an eating disorder and can affect all ages including children and adolescents.
 
There are many different types of eating disorders that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.
 
If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Growth and Development Online Resources page in this Web site for an Internet/World Wide Web address that may contain additional information on that topic.
 
Anorexia Nervosa
 
Bulimia Nervosa
 
 
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital offers the only comprehensive program in Northern California that treats adolescent and pediatric eating disorders.
 
Learn More about the Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program

• Comprehensive Care Program (CCP) Inpatient Eating Disorders Program
• Outpatient Eating Disorders Clinic
• Psychological Treatments for Eating Disorders
• Team
• Research

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