Childhood BMI Tied to Later Eating Disorder Risk 

Overview – 
Body mass index (or BMI) is a measurement that is made use of in order to discern weight categories that might indicate potential health issues. With the aid of a BMI calculator users divide their weight which is measured in kilograms by the value of their height which is squared and measured in meters. Most health insurance websites provide easy access to these calculators.
Examining the Link between Childhood BMI and Eating Disorders –
Earlier last month, a study presented to the European Congress on Obesity showcased its findings which indicated a link that existed between childhood body mass index and the potential risk of developing eating disorders in the future.
Those charged with carrying out this investigation hailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, and served under the Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital. Carried out by Dr. Britt Wang Jensen along with his colleagues studied the potential tether that might exist between BMI held during childhood and the consequent diagnosis of eating disorders ranging from anorexia nervosa (or AN) to bulimia nervosa (or BN) right up till the individual aged 50. 
This study was carried out with a sample size amounting to 66,576 girls each of whom were born between 1960 and 1966 whose height and weight measurements were made available owing to the health examinations conducted at their respective schools. From these charts, relevant information pertaining to the years between 7 and 13 was made use of. This information was tallied with information from the Danish National Patient Register and the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register.
Findings –
Of the 66,576 girls whose cases were analyzed, 514 were found to have AN while 315 were found to be diagnosed with BN. The median age at which these girls were diagnosed with their eating disorders was 19.9 years for AN and 22.5 years for BN.
This study helped showcase an apparent inverse relationship that existed between BMI z-scores and the risk associated with developing AN. 
In the case of BN, the study found the existence of a positive tether between BMI z-score and the risk associated with developing BN.
In comparison to girls who held a normal weight at the age of 7, those who were overweight at the time were more vulnerable to the risk associated with developing BN. 
In comparison to girls who held a normal weight at the age of 7, those who were overweight at the time were more vulnerable to the risk associated with developing BN, however, this risk was lower in comparison to their 7-year-old counterparts.
As per a statement set forth by Jensen, the difference in the childhood BMI of girls studied who went on to develop eating disorders later on in life began to emerge and become apparent from an early age itself.
Conclusion –
The findings put forth by this study highlight the importance of monitoring weight and height on a frequent basis during a person’s childhood and assessing their BMI with the aid of a BMI calculator. This can greatly help with identifying patterns and sequences that might lead to eating disorders in the future. As per a recent hearing conducted last month, the Delhi High Court stipulated that there mustn’t be any discrimination between the coverage provided for mental illness when compared to physical illness in health insurance plans. This highlights the severity of mental illnesses including eating disorders like AN and BN can pose. You can buy a health insurance plan that works best for you on Finserv MARKETS today.