TABLE 1.
Characteristics of children aged 5–13 with early‐onset eating disorders 2016–2018
| Demographics | 2016–2018, n = 184 (%) |
|---|---|
| Sex (female) | 141 (76) |
| Age at diagnosis in years (range) | 12.2 (6.06–13.97), Mean |
| Eating disorder symptoms | |
| Preoccupation with food or eating | 155 (85) |
| Fear of weight gain or fatness | 140 (76) |
| Preoccupation with body weight | 134 (73) |
| Denial of the severity of illness | 121 (67) |
| Excessive exercise | 117 (64) |
| Misperception of body size | 116 (63) |
| Self‐induced vomiting | 24 (13) |
| Somatic complaints | 56 (31) |
| Binge eating | 12 (7) |
| Early feeding difficulties | 22 (12) |
| Laxative use | 2 (1) |
| Diuretic use | 0 |
| Clinical findings | |
| Bradycardia a | 83 (45) |
| Hypotension b | 16 (9) |
| Hypothermia c | 22 (12) |
| Reached menarche (females only) | 45 (32) |
| Secondary amenorrhoea | 31 (69) |
| Lost or failed to gain weight over the last 6 months | 163 (87) |
| Psychological comorbidities | |
| Anxiety | 90 (49) |
| Depression | 27 (15) |
| Obsessive–compulsive disorder | 7 (4) |
| Family history of psychiatric illness | 79 (43) |
a
HR < 50 beats per minute.
b
BP < 80 mmHg.
c
Temperature < 35.5°C.