Obesity and eating disorders: the coexistence of extreme eating behaviors in adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is a period of biopsychosocial changes, in which concerns with the body can lead to inadequate eating habits. Objective: To describe possible relationships between obesity and eating disorders in adolescents by means of a critical literature review. Methods: Studies published between 1979 and 2009 at Medline and SciELO databases using the keywords (Portuguese and English): anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, eating disorders, body image, obesity and adolescents were searched. Results: Fear of becoming fat and the persistent desire of losing weight trigger an excessive concern about food, thus, leading to eating behavior alterations. In response to the reduction in body mass, adolescents become more confident, vain, with higher self-esteem and self-concept, which may lead to unhealthy attitudes and behaviors. Conclusion: Health professionals who are involved in obesity treatment should become aware of the interfaces between eating disorders and obesity so that complications observed in weight lost programs can decrease.