The good news: A recent study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that adolescent and young adult vegetarians had healthier intakes of fruits, vegetables, and fat, and were less likely to be overweight or obese.
The cautionary tale: The study also found that adolescent and young adult vegetarians were more likely to report binge eating with loss of control and engage in extreme unhealthful weight-control behaviors.
The lesson for parents: Ask questions about your teen's reasons for wanting to follow a vegetarian diet (see list). Ask about his or her feelings about his or her weight, body, and eating and watch for signs of eating disorders. If you are at all concerned, seek professional help immediately.
The bottom line: A vegetarian diet is a safe and healthful way for teenagers to eat but be on the lookout for signs that your teenager is claiming to be a vegetarian to mask signs of an eating disorder.
Michelle (Mom of a veggie teen)
Michelle May MD
Thanks for posting this wonderful blog. It helps to educate people about anorexia and how to seek help. Read anorexia-tips.org. It also provides insights on eating disorders.
http://www.anorexia-tips.org/anorexia-recovery/treatment-approaches-for-anorexia-nervosa-among-adolescents
Posted by: esxf768 | July 29, 2009 at 05:26 AM