Eating disorders and obesity in adolescents: Another challenge of our times

Abstract

Obesity (OB) and feeding and eating disorders (FED) are complex and prevalent pathologies in adolescents. OB has been shown to be a risk factor for developing binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa, and vice versa, these FED also develop OB. However, obese adolescents may present atypical or sub-threshold criteria for FED. The objective of this review is to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic relationship between FED and OB in adolescents, with emphasis on the urgent need for research and collaboration among professionals in the fields of mental health and nutrition.