Researchers also noted that the age when patients began having eating disorders were “markedly younger” than in previous estimates. The median age for the onset of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and other eating disorders was 12.

Nearly all the teens with anorexia reported social impairment, affecting their social and family relationships. They also reported having had a day when they were unable to carry out normal activities. Teenagers who have had eating disorders were also more likely to idealize suicides.

These behaviors can leave long-lasting effects. Many of the young patients aren’t getting the treatment they need to break the destructive cycle.

“While most adolescents with eating disorders received some form of treatment, only a minority of affected individuals received services specifically for eating or weight problems,” wrote the authors.

The stress of eating disorders has "been repeatedly demonstrated through elevated rates of role impairment, medical complications, comorbidity, mortality, and suicide."

-excerpt from cnn