Eating disorders are one of the most common chronic illnesses among adolescents. Yet, our current framework for mental health care provides limited education, access to care, and support for adolescents suffering from this disease. The enactment of key legislation and federal guidance such as the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) is evidence that there are steps being taken to ensure the removal of barriers to care. However, eating disorders are often overlooked as a category of behavioral disorders. This paper analyzes the current legal and social framework for providing care and support to adolescents suffering from eating disorders. In doing so, it offers recommendations to develop stronger protective and responsive measures to ensure access, support, and care to these individuals.

中文翻译：

---

饮食失调和我们的年轻人：必须采取积极行动以确保平等


饮食失调是青少年中最常见的慢性疾病之一。然而，我们目前的精神卫生保健框架为患有这种疾病的青少年提供的教育、护理和支持有限。关键立法和联邦指导意见的颁布，例如《2008 年保罗·威尔斯通 (Paul Wellstone) 和皮特·多梅尼奇 (Pete Domenici) 心理健康平等和成瘾公平法案 (MHPAEA)》，证明正在采取措施确保消除护理障碍。然而，饮食失调作为行为障碍的一类经常被忽视。本文分析了当前为患有饮食失调的青少年提供护理和支持的法律和社会框架。在此过程中，它提出了制定更强有力的保护和响应措施的建议，以确保这些人能够获得、支持和照顾。