Eating disorders in youth typically include which conditions?

Eating disorders in youth typically include which conditions?

• A. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
• B. Generalized anxiety disorder
• C. Bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa
• D. Tourette syndrome

Answer: (C)

Eating disorders in youth are defined by disordered eating patterns and concerns about weight or body image. The two classic conditions seen in adolescents are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa involves restricting food intake due to a strong fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, often leading to dangerously low weight. Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise. These patterns typically emerge during adolescence and require professional evaluation and treatment. The other options describe different kinds of disorders—schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are mood/psychotic conditions, generalized anxiety disorder centers on excessive worry, and Tourette syndrome is a tic disorder—so they don’t fit as eating disorders.

Eating disorders in youth are defined by disordered eating patterns and concerns about weight or body image. The two classic conditions seen in adolescents are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa involves restricting food intake due to a strong fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, often leading to dangerously low weight. Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise. These patterns typically emerge during adolescence and require professional evaluation and treatment. The other options describe different kinds of disorders—schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are mood/psychotic conditions, generalized anxiety disorder centers on excessive worry, and Tourette syndrome is a tic disorder—so they don’t fit as eating disorders.