How To Recognize Eating Disorders

June 23, 2004 -- Teen actress Mary-Kate Olsen has entered a program for treatment of an eating disorder reported to be anorexia — news that is sure to concern parents worried about their children trying to become too thin.

Children, especially girls, become aware of their weight and shape around the age of 5 or 6 — and some even start changing their eating habits in order to stay thin.

The 18-year-old Olsen, who co-starred in last month's film New York Minute , recently "entered a treatment facility to seek professional help for a health-related issue," publicist Michael Pagnotta said on Tuesday. She and twin, Ashley, have been in the public eye since they wre infants, starring on the TV sitcom Full House, and have since sold millions of videos, DVDs, and books, and started their own fashion line.

Experts say that it is important for parents to recognize behavior that might indicate the onset of eating disorders in young girls.

There are a variety of warning signs, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. The signs of anorexia nervosa include deliberate self-starvation with weight loss; intense, persistent fear of gaining weight; refusal to eat except tiny portions; continuous dieting; excessive facial/body hair because of inadequate protein in diet; compulsive exercise; hair loss; and sensitivity to cold.

In older girls, the illness may cause the absence of or irregular menstruation. Long-term effects of anorexia include bone loss, possible cardiac irregularities, kidney failure and sudden death. There is also a link to infertility in women.

For bulimia, the signs include preoccupation with food; binge eating (usually secret); compulsive exercise; swollen salivary glands; broken blood vessels in the eyes; and abuse of laxatives, diuretics and diet pills.

Dr. Bennett L. Leventhal, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Chicago, said early eating disorders can seriously interfere with development.