A recent survey provided the alarming fact that a remarkable 70% of us are unhappy with our bodies, and body image problems are being seen in younger and younger children. In fact, eating disorders have been seen in girls well before their teens, and a growing number of boys are experiencing eating disorders as well. That is why it is important for every parent to constantly be on the lookout for signs of common eating disorders.

Whether it is bulimia, anorexia or one of the many other eating disorders, it is important for parents and loved ones to be ever vigilant. It is of course not at all unusual for young girls and even boys to be concerned with their looks and to be unhappy with their weight. When this focus on weight becomes all encompassing, however, an eating disorder could be on the horizon. If the teenager in your life is constantly complaining about the way he or she looks, or constantly trying to lose weight, it may be time to have a long talk about the danger of eating disorders.

There is a great deal of misinformation about bulimia, anorexia and other eating disorders among young people, and many young girls and boys severely underestimate the dangers posed by these eating disorders. In fact, eating disorders can cause a host of serious, and permanent, medical conditions, and the nutritional imbalances brought on by bulimia, anorexia and other eating disorders can leave those young people at risk of fatal heart attacks and organ breakdowns.

The past few years have been witness to a great deal of research into eating disorders, and doctors are often able to predict who is most at risk of developing an eating disorder. If you feel that someone you love may be at risk, it is a good idea to consult with a trusted physician. Early intervention before an eating disorder has taken hold can help to break the addiction and get the situation under control. It is always better to treat an eating disorder at the beginning stages than to try to repair the damage it has done later on.

No one ever said that dealing with an eating disorder would be easy, but it is certainly important. Conditions like bulimia and anorexia are serious medical problems, and it is important that they be treated with the seriousness they deserve. People can and do die from these conditions, and it is important for those in the person's life to be proactive and to be on the lookout for any potential problems before they have a chance to spiral out of control.