I think my friend (9th Grade) may have an eating disorder. She has struggled with self image before and resorted to self harm, which she no longer participates in. Now, she eats only low-calorie fruits and vegetables, and has refused to eat even broccoli and apples on the basis of them having too many calories. She says that for the past week or so, she has been eating around 700 calories per day, and based on her descriptions, it sounds as if she is getting very few of the necessary nutrients to survive/stay healthy. She runs track, which concerns me because she probably requires more energy than the average person and is not getting that through her diet; she complains a lot about her lack of energy.going to a doctor and talking to him/her about it, but she says that she only cares about weight loss (she is already in the mid-low end of the acceptable weight range for her age, body type, etc.). When I tried to tell her that crash diets hardly ever lead to long term, sustainable weight loss anyway, she asserted that that claim is only a myth. She acknowledges that she has a problem, but does not want to tell her parents because they will make a big deal out of it. I want
I've tried to suggest healthier eating plans and the possibility of to support her and not make her feel alienated, but I also don't want to ignore this and let it turn into something worse.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I've tried to suggest healthier eating plans and the possibility of to support her and not make her feel alienated, but I also don't want to ignore this and let it turn into something worse.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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