This paper presents a literature review examining eating disorders among adolescents, with a focus on background, prevalence, health consequences, and treatment approaches. It discusses conditions such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, noting their increasing prevalence and the serious adverse health outcomes they can cause, including cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and death. The paper explores several therapeutic interventions — including cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-based therapy, and ego-oriented individual therapy — and highlights key challenges such as delayed diagnosis, patient concealment, and the limited evidence base for adolescent-specific treatment models. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of a trusting therapeutic relationship in supporting recovery.
The paper demonstrates effective synthesis of multiple sources around a shared theme. Rather than summarizing each source in isolation, the author weaves findings from Lock & Fitzpatrick, Enos, Lopez-Guimera et al., and others into a coherent narrative about treatment options. This integrative approach — using direct quotations selectively to anchor key statistics while paraphrasing for broader claims — is a hallmark of a well-executed literature review.
The paper follows a classic three-part review structure: an introductory paragraph establishing scope, a background section covering prevalence and health risks, and a treatment section that moves from general approaches to specific modalities (inpatient care, CBT, family-based therapy, ego-oriented individual therapy, and parental guidance recommendations). A brief conclusion synthesizes the main findings and restates limitations. This clear, predictable architecture makes the argument easy to follow.
Young people with poor eating habits can develop eating disorders, or these disorders may arise in response to various psycho-sociological issues that emerge during adolescence. Irrespective of the cause, adolescents with eating disorders run the risk of a wide range of adverse health outcomes, including obesity, high blood pressure, bone loss, and even death. The problem is more common than many people believe, and the prevalence of eating disorders has been increasing in recent years, due in part to improved recognition of the condition by clinicians.
To determine the current state of affairs regarding adolescent eating disorders, this paper provides a review of the relevant peer-reviewed and scholarly literature to develop a background and overview of eating disorders, their effects, and how these conditions are treated. A summary of the research and important findings are provided in the conclusion.
Professional and public awareness of eating disorders has increased significantly in recent years, but eating disorders have been known for centuries (Ray, 2009). Although more adolescent females suffer from eating disorders than males, an adolescent male was the first modern individual diagnosed with an eating disorder, and about 10% to 15% of the eating disorder population consists of male adolescents (Ray, 2009). The prevalence of all types of eating disorders among the adolescent population has been increasing in recent years (Lopez-Guimera, Sanchez-Carracedo, Fauquet & Portell, 2011). Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia among adolescents can result in a wide array of health issues, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Cariun, Taut & Baban, 2012), as well as bone loss, amenorrhea, hypokalemia, and even death (Lock & Fitzpatrick, 2009).
In this regard, Lock and Fitzpatrick report that "the incidence rate for anorexia nervosa is just under 1%, while the incidence rate for bulimia nervosa is between 2% to 3%" (2009, p. 287). Referred to in some cases as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, partial or subthreshold cases of eating disorders represent another 2% to 5% of the adolescent population today (Lock & Fitzpatrick, 2009).
The mortality rates experienced by anorexia nervosa sufferers are among the highest for psychiatric disorders of all types, averaging about 8% to 12% (Lock & Fitzpatrick, 2009). Lock and Fitzpatrick note that "deaths are most often due to cardiac arrest and suicide. Eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa, are expensive to treat because of the high use of hospitalization" (2009, p. 288). Another problem associated with treating eating disorders is the tendency of sufferers to conceal their condition. According to Ray, "the societal stigma surrounding eating disorders is one of secrecy and shame; as a result, eating disordered adolescents often go to great lengths to hide their condition" (2009, p. 98). This tendency, combined with the fact that eating disorders may go unnoticed for some time, means that healthcare interventions may be significantly delayed.
As Enos (2013) points out, "while eating disorders often begin manifesting in adolescence, formal treatment for many individuals frequently does not occur until life-threatening circumstances compel action much later" (p. 40). The formal treatments commonly used for adolescent eating disorders are discussed below.
The research showed that adolescent eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia can cause a wide range of adverse health outcomes, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even death. The research also showed that while the majority of eating disorder sufferers are female, male adolescents can suffer from eating disorders as well. Despite growing recognition of the problem and its increasing prevalence, there remains a dearth of timely and relevant studies concerning the efficacy of various interventions; however, family-based therapy and cognitive-behavioral approaches appear to hold the most promise. Finally, irrespective of the intervention used, the research was consistent in emphasizing the need for a trusting and caring therapeutic relationship in which adolescents can be provided with the information and tools they need to overcome their eating disorders.
You’re 46% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 1 section.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.