Eating Disorders and OTC Weight-Loss Product Consumption in Adolescents
Read the Full Article from Psychiatric Times
A recent systemic review and meta-analysis explored the prevalence of consumption of over-the-counter (OTC) weight-loss products among adolescents.1 Psychiatric Times® sat down with Anne Marie O'Melia, MD, MS, FAAP, CEDS-S, of the Eating Recovery Center to discuss this study, plus how clinicians can address OTC weight-loss product consumption and disordered eating in their adolescent patients.
Psychiatric Times: New research shows that nearly 1 in 10 adolescents have used non-prescription weight-loss products.1 What psychological factors do you believe contribute to the popularity of these drugs among adolescents?
Anne Marie O'Melia, MD, MS, FAAP, CEDS-S: These are risky behaviors. We know that kids who are engaged in dieting behaviors and who are using OTC weight-loss products are at higher risk of developing eating disorders. And these kids are particularly vulnerable to influences that promote unrealistic beauty standards from their peer groups, their family system, and from media or social media.
