ARION PROJECT INTERNATIONAL MEETING GROTTAMMARE 2007,21-25th MAY

EATING DISORDERS (EA): HOW TO INFORM AND TO TRAIN TEACHERS, IN ORDER TO DETECT AND PREVENT TEEN AGERS DISCOMFORT Emilio Franzoni Child Neurology and Psychiatry Regional Center for Eating Disorders in child and adolescence S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital Bologna University Italy

Eating Disorders (EA) are mainly classified as : Anorexia Nervosa (AN) Bulimia Nervosa (BN) Obesity Others EA

The real estimate of the phenomenon diffusion is not clear, but we know that the more frequent age of onset is between years. AN starts mainly between 13-17, whilst BN is Any adolescent, sooner or later, may shows anorexic behaviour. However this is not always illness.

The distribution over population involves 90% of females and 10% of males. Recently the percentage, in males, has increased from 5 to 10%. However, ED also involve children and pre-adolescents with different mechanisms and clinical features. In particular 25% of children with normal mental and motor development and 35% of children with developmental problems, may present an eating difficulty. A genetic predisposition facilitated by environmental factors can lead to the true illness.

EA represent just a part of a wider discomfort that, today, is evident not only in teenagers, but also in adults. We really don’t know why in the last 20 years a large diffusion of such a disorder has been happened. Drugs, addiction, ED, depression (and suicides), bullyng, delinquency(even murders) are the most frequent behaviours. We cannot produce a specific solution to each type of discomfort and we must find a common strategy to connect the whole world of young people.

The treatment of ED is based on medical and psychological intervention. We know that, at the beginning of the illness, it is very difficult to convince a person who suffers from ED, to realise that he needs a help. On the other hand, we also know that the sooner we intervene the better is the prognosis after the treatment.

Sometimes, in particular when a profound depression and/or psychotic symptoms are associated, a pharmachologycal therapy can be useful. In addition a nutritional approach must be done that becames necessary when the Body Max Index (BMI) is too low or too high (normal values 18-24)

Attention and prevention take back the responsability; First of all the educational institutions (family and school) must reflect on the opportunities to rebuilt its educational skills The families delegate too frequently the education of their children to school. School, on its own, is not often prepared to give instruction and education toghether. Which strategies can be used to approach these complexes problems?

At the same time we cannot forget adults who need often help and training either parents (or future) or teachers, in dealing with ED. We must know and we must live as we speak. It is very important for young people to see that you do what you say.