Telephone forum on January 20, 2026
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, another edition of the Volksstimme telephone forum will take place. Readers will have the opportunity to ask questions on the topic of “Eating disorders in boys and adults – prevention and treatment” to Prof. Florian Junne, MD, director of the University Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, and Nadine Bohl-Ouart, assistant physician at the same clinic.
If you are concerned with the issues listed below, please do not hesitate to call us. Anyone interested can seek advice on January 20, 2025, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. by calling 0391-532970.
- What causes eating disorders?
- What are the typical warning signs?
- At what age can eating disorders occur?
- Why are young women particularly at risk?
- Can adults also develop eating disorders?
- What types of eating disorders are there?
- Where can you get help?
- When should parents take their affected children to a clinic?
- What treatment options are available?
- Are treatments successful in the long term?
Eating disorders are psychosomatic illnesses in which eating behavior deviates permanently and significantly from a healthy approach to food. They are usually accompanied by a strong mental preoccupation with food, weight, and figure, as well as a distorted or negative body image. Those affected often experience a high level of psychological distress and increasingly lose control over their eating behavior, which can lead to underweight, as in the case of anorexia, or overweight, as in the case of binge eating disorder or binge eating/purging, as in the case of bulimia nervosa.
Eating disorders usually have several causes. These include psychological factors such as low self-esteem, perfectionism, and a desire for control, as well as family conflicts, stressful life events, social pressure to be beautiful, and biological influences. Often, several factors work together.
Warning signs can include a significant change in eating habits, extreme calorie counting, frequent weighing, constant dissatisfaction with one's own body, withdrawal from social environments, significant weight fluctuations, or secretive eating and vomiting. Physical symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or amenorrhea can also be indicators.
Eating disorders can have serious physical, emotional, and social consequences, such as malnutrition, cardiovascular problems, depression, or social withdrawal. The most common forms include anorexia nervosa (anorexia), bulimia nervosa (binge eating disorder), and binge eating disorder, which involves repeated binge eating without subsequent countermeasures.
Eating disorders can have serious physical and psychological consequences, but they are treatable—especially if they are detected early.