Clinical profile and major eating disorders present in childhood: a narrative literature review

Abstract

Objective: To expose the main eating disorders present in childhood, demonstrating their causes, clinical picture, consequences and patient management. Bibliographic review: The presence of eating disorders is common during childhood. The main examples are malnutrition and obesity. In the pediatric context, it is important to emphasize the multicausal nature of obesity, as well as its broad spectrum of dysfunctions, such as metabolic, inflammatory and endocrine. Malnutrition is a state in which there is a nutritional imbalance that results from an insufficient intake of nutrients to maintain an individual's normal physiological patterns. Such a disorder is associated with loss of appetite, impaired immunity, changes in metabolism, as well as higher chances of triggering future chronic diseases. Final considerations: Childhood nutrition should be seen as a priority. Obesity is associated with precocious puberty and dyslipidemia. Malnutrition presents itself in the forms of protein energy and reduced vitamins. With this, there are consequences such as immune system dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. An adequate nutritional balance is of utmost importance, which makes it necessary to provide more attention and assistencial services to the young population.