According to information from Ha Nam Provincial Children's Hospital, just half a year ago, Tieu Hoa was a girl with normal eating habits. Six months later, at the age of 11, despite her ideal height of 1.54 m, her weight was a mere 25 kg, whereas the standard weight for her age is 37 kg.
Doctors diagnosed the patient with anorexia nervosa, noting that the incidence of this condition is highest between the ages of 10 and 16. The medical team developed a treatment plan involving medication and psychological therapy, and the child is gradually recovering.
A representative from Ha Nam Provincial Children's Hospital stated that parents can recognize this condition early through three distinct groups of changes in children:
The first sign is a sudden change in daily eating habits. Children begin to exert extreme control over calorie intake, arbitrarily switching to vegetarian diets, strict abstinence, and only choosing extremely low-energy foods. Additionally, they frequently step on the scale and become obsessed with every small fluctuation in the numbers.
The next indicator is rapid weight loss accompanied by a series of physiological abnormalities. Nutritional deficiency causes children's skin to become dry, their complexion pale, and severe hair loss. Digestive system dysfunction leads to constant bloating and constipation.
More dangerously, children's bodies gradually experience stunted development, leading to amenorrhea in girls and delayed physical development in boys. This is accompanied by symptoms of weakness, fatigue, arrhythmia, dizziness, low blood pressure, and cold hands and feet.
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Tieu Hoa ate only boiled vegetables every day. Illustration: Bui Thuy |
The final manifestation is a change in personality and a distorted perception of appearance. Patients become sensitive, irritable, reluctant to socialize, and tend towards extreme thinking. Despite their skeletal thinness, they insist they are too fat and fiercely resist gaining weight, ignoring all advice from family.
This extreme weight loss behavior is not simply stubbornness or teenage rebellion, but rather a cry for help from a damaged psyche. Doctors advise parents to eliminate the idea of body shaming, avoid putting pressure on children regarding their physique, and create a warm family atmosphere during every meal. Closely observing emotional fluctuations and helping children understand their self-worth will help parents detect the problem early and intervene promptly to protect their children's health.
My Y (According to Mydrivers)
