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Handbook of Adolescent Health Psychology pp 495–506Cite as

Eating Disorders in Adolescence

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Abstract

Eating disorders are serious illnesses that usually begin during adolescence and are often associated with significant medical complications and psychological impairment. Children and adolescents often do not meet full criteria for anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN); however, those with subthreshold eating disorders have not been found to differ significantly from those with full threshold AN or BN in terms of psychopathology or medical complications. Eating disorders are multifaceted illnesses with biological, psychological, and environmental risk factors, including weight concerns, dieting behavior, negative emotionality, genetics, and sociocultural influences. The treatment of eating disorders requires a team approach, with a mental health expert to address the patient’s psychotherapeutic needs, a physician to monitor the patient’s physical health, and, if necessary, a psychiatrist to manage comorbid psychiatric concerns. Family-based treatment has been found to be an effective form of treatment for adolescents with AN, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, adapted for use with adolescents, has shown promise in the treatment of adolescents with BN.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Chicago, 1212 East 59th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Renee Rienecke Hoste Ph.D. & Daniel Le Grange Ph.D.

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  1. Renee Rienecke Hoste Ph.D.
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  2. Daniel Le Grange Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Renee Rienecke Hoste Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, MS 0296, Reno, 89557-0062, New York, USA

    William T. O'Donohue

  2. , Department of Psychology, MS 0296, University of Nevada, Reno, North Virginia Street, Reno, 89557, Nevada, USA

    Lorraine T. Benuto

  3. , Integration Services, Aurora Mental Health Center, 11059 East Bethany Drive, Suite 105, Aurora, 80014, Colorado, USA

    Lauren Woodward Tolle

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Hoste, R.R., Le Grange, D. (2013). Eating Disorders in Adolescence. In: O'Donohue, W., Benuto, L., Woodward Tolle, L. (eds) Handbook of Adolescent Health Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6633-8_31

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