Fear of Weight Gain: The New Anxiety among Teenagers
The fear of gaining weight is a serious concern among young people, especially at the adolescent stage. This fear is often related to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. The following is an inquiry from a concerned parent regarding their teenage daughter's eating habits, which indicates the need for early intervention into these concerns. Although the daughter's body revealed that she was underweight, the parent feared that fear of weight gain had caused harmful behaviors, including limiting food and self-induced vomiting after meals.
Dr. Krishnakumar is a health scientist dealing with adolescents, who adds, "Anorexia nervosa is typically found in girls but can affect boys too; the kind of behavior that will show signs and symptoms of such disorder.". The extreme fear of gaining weight is, therefore one major symptom of this disorder that may, in some instances, be accompanied by severe restrictions on eating. Affected individuals may turn to inducing vomiting after eating to prevent weight gain altogether. Sometimes, these behaviors do not seem to make sense relative to the truth about one's health condition; hence, affected individuals do not see the harm they may eventually cause their body.
It usually manifests during adolescence, a time when the body is undergoing very rapid physical changes. Teenagers are very sensitive to societal pressure about body image during this period. The need to conform to societal standards of beauty can result in extreme dieting and unhealthy weight control.
Dr. Krishnakumar also states that fear of weight gain and the limiting eating behaviors linked to anorexia nervosa can lead to a variety of physical problems. When the body does not receive the nutrients, it leads to malnutrition, weak bones, and poor growth. If such issues are left untreated, it may lead to more serious health complications. The other common concern is dehydration resulting from inadequate water intake. Hydration problems can lead to a range of issues, from lethargy to kidney damage. In addition, a lack of adequate nutrition can cause cognitive impairment and lead to a lack of focus and memory. The psychological impacts are also extreme, as those suffering from anorexia nervosa often become more anxious, depressed, and sleep-deprived. The mental health aspects can be as debilitating as the physical symptoms and can affect a person's well-being and quality of life.
In extreme cases, individuals may also suffer from conditions like osteoporosis, which leads to weakened bones. This can make adolescents more susceptible to fractures and long-term skeletal damage. Moreover, issues like dizziness, fainting, and heart irregularities are also commonly observed in individuals with severe cases of anorexia nervosa.
For adolescents, the key to healthy nutrition is always to be in a balance for their physical and mental well-being. The body needs enough calories and nutrients to maintain the rapid development of these adolescents, while exercise is similarly important in general health.
If there are signs of anorexia nervosa, such as an intense fear of gaining weight, extreme dieting, or vomiting after meals, it is important to seek medical advice immediately. With the right intervention and support, this condition can be managed effectively, and the individual can regain a healthy relationship with food and their body.
Anorexia nervosa is a highly dangerous disorder if not dealt with at an appropriate time. Awareness of early symptoms by parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals, and necessary help to adolescents facing this problem is very much important.
Dr Krishnakumar, director at the Kozhikode Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, is of the view that proper and timely treatment of the patient alone can avoid prolonged effects.