Eating disorders and adolescents: an overview of a maladaptive behavior.

TOPIC: Eating disorders among the adolescent population are a serious health problem. The author provides an overview of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

PURPOSE: To present information on eating disorders that includes DSM-IV criteria and typical profiles of the client. Current hypotheses about the etiology of eating disorders, medical complications, treatment approaches, morbidity and mortality data research, and outcome research of treatment are reviewed. Research, treatment, and educational considerations for nursing care are discussed.

SOURCES: Published literature, clinical experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced practice nurses are particularly suited for working with adolescents because of their holistic approach to client care. Inconsistencies and gaps in the knowledge base of eating disorders regarding incidence, etiology, treatment approaches, pharmacology, and outcome are areas for future nursing research.