Michele Yeo MBBS, FRACP, PhD, is a paediatrician/adolescent physician, Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
Elizabeth Hughes BAppSc(Hons), PhD, is Research Fellow, Eating Disorders Program, Centre for Adolescent Health University of Melbourne Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria
Background
Eating disorders are complex illnesses that impact on both
the physical and socio-emotional health of young people,
and contribute to significant morbidity. Dieting behaviours
and body image concerns are common in adolescence and
it can be challenging to identify those at the extreme end
of this spectrum who are at risk of an eating disorder.
Objective
This article presents a brief overview of eating disorders,
with a focus on early identification in general practice. An
approach to diagnosis is outlined together with an update
on evidence based treatments.
Discussion
General practitioners are uniquely placed to recognise
early onset eating disorders, offer intervention and help
coordinate and monitor treatment. Early detection and
management may contribute to better outcomes.
Eating disorders are serious illnesses that affect both the physical and socio-emotional health of young people; they have significant impact on families and cause significant mortality and morbidity. The main eating disorders comprise:
- anorexia nervosa (AN)
- bulimia nervosa (BN), and
- eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS), ie. eating disorders that do not fully meet the criteria for either AN or BN.
Download the PDF for the full article.
Correspondence afp@racgp.org.au
Opening or saving files
Files on the website can be opened or downloaded and saved to your computer or device.
To open click on the link, your computer or device will try and open the file using compatible software.
To save the file right click or option-click the link and choose "Save As...". Follow the prompts to chose a location.
Types of file
PDF Most of the documents on the RACGP website are in Portable Document Format (PDF). These files will have "PDF" in brackets along with the filesize of the download. To open a PDF file you will need compatible software such as Adobe Reader. If you do not have it you can download Adobe Reader free of charge.
DOC Some documents on this site are in Microsoft Word format. These will have "DOC" in brackets along with the filesize of the download. To view these documents you will need software that can read Microsoft Word format. If you don't have anything you can download the MS Word Viewer free of charge.
MP3 Most web browsers will play the MP3 audio within the browser