Berlin: A strict diet and exercise routine among adolescents may be the first signs of anorexia, noted Johannes Hebebrand, president of the Berlin-based German Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (DGKJP).

'Afflicted adolescents try to avoid calorie-rich foods like butter and sweets at first,' Hebebrand said. Then they often cut out dishes containing meat and finally they skip main meals altogether.

Adolescents suffering from anorexia can lose about a quarter of their body weight in a few weeks. Extreme weight loss has serious physical and psychological consequences, and in about five percent of the cases leads to death.

'If parents see signs of an eating disorder in their children, they should by no means attempt to solve the problem within the family alone,' warned Hebebrand, who said help from a child and adolescent psychiatrist was essential.

'In the beginning, counselling interviews with only the family, afflicted persons or parents are often advisable to prepare the child carefully for therapy,' he said. IANS