A study conducted by Children's Hospital of Boston found that the risk factors of developing eating disorders are different for boys and girls, and - in girls - these factors change with age. The study followed more than 6,500 girls and 5,500 boys for seven years.

"Binge eating was observed in 4.3 percent of females and 2.1 percent of males, while 5.3 percent of females and 0.8 percent of males began to purge... Having a mother with a history of an eating disorder almost tripled the risk for girls, but only up to the age of 14."

The study also found that negative comments about weight from fathers were strong predictors of binge eating. Source: RN Web

Labels: causes of eating disorders, influences, risks

A new study conducted through the University of Virginia has found that girls with ADHD are more likely than their non-ADHD counterparts to develop the bulimia-related behaviors of binge eating and purging.

"'Girls with ADHD may be more at risk of developing eating problems as adolescents because they already have impulsive behaviors that can set them apart from their peers,' [psychologist Amori Yee] Mikami said. 'As they get older, their impulsivity may make it difficult for them to maintain healthy eating and a healthy weight, resulting in self-consciousness about their body image and the binging and purging symptoms.'"

This is one of the few studies that have focused on ADHD's possible long-term effects on girls. Mikami, the study's lead author, warned parents and teachers to be watching for "female-relevant" issues that may be more prevalent in girls with ADHD. Read more at RedOrbit.com.

Learn more about girls and ADHD with the Giving Girls the Attention They Need
What Parents Need to Know About Girls and ADD/ADHD primer.

Labels: adhd, girls, risks

Though it's not a medical term, nor is it a recognized disorder, the term "diabulimia" has been created to describe the practice of skipping insulin shots in order to lose weight. An estimated 450,000 people who have Type 1 diabetes are said to have resorted this dangerous weight loss tactic.

"Warning signs for diabulimia include a change in eating habits - typically someone who eats more but still loses weight - low energy and high blood-sugar levels... Frequent urination is another signal. When sugars are high, the kidneys work overtime to filter the excess glucose from the blood."

The dangers of skipping or reducing insulin intake are extreme for someone with Type 1 diabetes. Risks include falling into a coma, blindness, amputation, kidney failure and even death.

Read more at BeloitDailyNews.com.

Labels: death, diabetes, risks