- 1). Look at the eating habits of teens. Many become overly concerned with calorie-counting and food labeling. Many teens will begin to refuse to eat in public and will often play with their food instead of consuming it.
- 2). Check the height-to-weight ratio of the teen-ager in question. Teens suffering from anorexia will have a body weight that is inconsistent with their height, build and age.
- 3). Look for signs of excessive exercise, food restriction and use of laxatives in daily life.
- 4). Talk to the person involved. See if any of the following are characteristic of the teen in question: Does he report heightened anxiety, especially around food? Does she report that she missed three consecutive menstrual periods? Is there evidence of a general weakness, shortness of breath or brittle skin?
- 5). Seek professional help if the above symptoms become apparent. Left untreated anorexia can lead to shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, osteoporosis and even death.
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