A growing issue affecting over 3 million Italians
In Italy, more than three million people suffer from Eating and Nutrition Disorders (DNA), including anorexia and bulimia, which affect around 8-10% of girls and 0.5-1% of boys. The most alarming trend is the younger onset age, with cases emerging as early as 8-9 years old. The SINPIA (Italian Society of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry) warns that a multidisciplinary approach and early intervention tailored to the developmental stage are crucial.
Warning signs not to ignore
Eating disorders often present subtle warning signs that parents should never overlook, such as:
- Eating in secret or hiding food
- Cutting food into tiny pieces or moving it around the plate without eating
- Skipping meals or avoiding entire food groups
- Becoming obsessed with food preparation
- Spending long periods in the bathroom after meals, a possible sign of compensatory behaviors
- Mood swings and sleep disturbances
- Excessive physical activity
The pandemic’s impact and the rise in cases
According to the Italian Ministry of Health, the pandemic has worsened the situation, with a 30-35% increase in cases and a younger onset age, particularly among girls aged 11 to 15. Globally, millions of young people and adults develop eating disorders each year, with numbers rising steadily.
Anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders
Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, pica, and rumination disorder. Among them, anorexia nervosa (AN) has the highest mortality rate among psychiatric disorders and is increasingly linked to suicidal tendencies. U.S. data suggests that it accounts for 60% of adolescent eating disorders.
The need for a multidisciplinary approach
To combat these disorders, SINPIA emphasizes the importance of early, personalized, and intensive treatment, tailored to the condition’s severity and centered on the family. The new SINPIA Guidelines highlight the critical role of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Units (UONPIA), which should be the first to diagnose and treat patients.
A disorder that affects the whole family
Eating disorders impact not just the individual but the entire family unit, necessitating comprehensive support for parents and caregivers. Often, the lack of awareness about the illness leads to underestimating symptoms, delaying the start of treatment.
Have you ever had direct or indirect experience with eating disorders? Share your thoughts in the comment form below.
