Abstract
Eating disorders are ranked as the third most common chronic condition among adolescents. However, bulimia nervosa is the most common eating disorder noted in adolescent and college-age females. It develops similarly to self-destructive substance addictions. For most females with this problem, what starts as a strategy to control weight or emotional states soon develops into a relentless preoccupation with eating, purging, weight, and shape. These adolescent clients pose challenges for health care professionals, particularly because there is no uniformly agreed upon epidemiologic data-gathering approach or treatment plan for bulimia nervosa. This article reviews literature pertinent to bulimia nervosa in the adolescent population and uses the Roy Adaptation Model, a holistic nursing assessment framework, to present key findings of this literature review. Recommendations for nursing research are also discussed.
Eating disorders rank third among common chronic condition in the adolescent population (Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1995). Bulimia nervosa (BN) is the most common eating disorder noted in adolescent and college-age females. This article reviews literature pertinent to the adolescent with BN. The review focuses on factors contributing to the onset of adolescent BN and examines the literature related to treatment and outcomes. Roy's Adaptation Model (1984) will be used as a framework to present key features of the literature review in the form of a nursing assessment.