Are Teen Vegetarians Really Hiding an Eating Disorder?

Julie M
March 22, 2010
Source: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100256060

A recent University of Minnesota study found that former vegetarian teenagers were more prone to participate in weight loss measures, from purging to calorie restriction. Many teenagers with eating disorders are using the excuse that they are “vegetarians” to mask their developing problem. Some teenagers feel that fat is in meat, and in order to maintain a perfect (or too thin) of a figure, they have resorted to eating vegetables only. Little do they know that this type of daily menu lacks many essential vitamins and minerals found in meats and need to be taking in some type of replacement for their losses.

“Posing as a vegetarian is nothing new for those with eating disorders, but it is becoming more popular,” says Sari Shepphird, Ph.D., an adolescent psychologist. It is difficult to correct a teen who says they are becoming a vegetarian on moral grounds; however, this eating disorder mask needs to be uncovered. By choosing to mask the disorder by stating that he/she is choosing to be a vegetarian can cause major problems, as the eating disorder may be found once it is too late.

These teens choosing this type of ‘dieting’ have found themselves to be low on energy, and nutrients, but they feel that they need to continue this diet in order to have the perfect image.
Eating disorders among teenagers is a huge problem being faced not only in the United States, bur around the world. When these teenagers admit that they have a problem and go to seek help, it is a long road back to eating normally again. This is a mental illness that comes with many other problems; however, if the teenager is determined to get better and have a strong support system, they will be able to get back their ‘normal’ life and live a healthier, more fulfilling life as a regular sized teenager!