Resources for Eating Disorder Prevention in Southeastern MA

For teens, eating disorders can be an especially difficult topic to address. That’s why Southcoast Health offers support and resources to prevent eating disorders in teens in our community.

An eating disorder is a serious condition related to unhealthy eating habits, whether someone is not eating enough or eating too much and purging. Eating disorders originate from a skewed view of one’s appearance, including their weight, body shape and eating habits.

Types of Eating Disorders

There are several types of eating disorders and unique symptoms for each:

Anorexia Nervosa

Often called anorexia, this eating disorder involves limiting your calories so much that you lose weight. Not consuming enough food may also be combined with excessive exercise, vomiting or using laxatives. Anorexia can become life-threatening.

Bulimia Nervosa

Often referred to as bulimia, bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binging and purging to control your weight. Like anorexia, this can also be a life-threatening disorder.

Other Eating Disorders

There are a variety of other eating disorders that teens may deal with, including binge-eating disorder (eating too much food and vomiting) and pica (eating non-food items).

Preventing Eating Disorders at Southcoast Health

Southcoast Health offers counseling and guidance for many teen health issues, such as eating disorders, in New Bedford, MA. We are actively involved in area junior high and high schools to create an environment that encourages healthy living and equips teens to face many life challenges.

Explore our women’s services today, then find a doctor near you to get a consultation for you or your teenager.

Southcoast Health provides tools for eating disorder prevention in the communities we serve, including southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island.