Voix - Find Your Voice

At your age, everyone starts to think more and more about fitting in with a social group and maybe gaining the respect of others. 🤨

This can lead to a focus on body weight or shape.
And that can then result in an obsession with food...

It is not only teenagers who may be affected though. Eating disorders affect people of all ages and ethnicities. 👭🧑‍🤝‍🧑👬👫

It is also possible that the development of an eating disorder is influenced by cultural pressure and genetics.

There are different types of eating disorders.
The most common are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
Remember, all of these have significant health consequences. ⚠️

These include👇

- Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure
- Risk of heart failure
- Decreased bone density
- Muscle loss and weakness
- Severe dehydration
- Severe constipation
- Fainting
- Fatigue and overall weakness
- Dry hair and skin
- Hair loss
- The growth of a downy layer of hair (lanugo) all over the body
- Low body temperature
- Reversible and irreversible brain damage and health

In the end, it is important to refer those with eating disorders to treatment. 🩺
This could include nutritional education and counseling and support groups. 🫶
Treatment is long-term and expensive, so it is important to address the issue as soon as possible.

If you can, make an effort to be there for them and listen to their concerns. 🤔
You can refer them to the following number, the WA Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service:
☎️ 1300 620 208.