Primary prevention

Primary prevention of bulimia nervosa, which is part of the strategy to prevent obesity and other eating disorders, focuses on:[52]​​​[58]​​[59]​​[60]

  • Increasing self-esteem

  • Improving media awareness

  • Strengthening the family

  • Decreasing the emphasis on weight and shape at home, at school, and in society

  • Decreasing pressure for people to conform to the ideals of the media.

Regular, healthy, low-pressure eating at home, at school, and in society is important, as is educating parents and coaches about unhealthy weight loss behaviours.[57]​ However, teaching children about eating disorders is not helpful as a preventive strategy.[5]​​[61]​​

Secondary prevention

Patients should eat normally and regularly without missing meals. Encourage patients to use strategies such as talking to someone or keeping a journal when they are upset.

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