Case Study 1 1 
Social Determinants of Health
Abstract
Meghan is a fourteen year old female high school freshman with a history of anorexia. Her pediatrician has discussed the fact with her parents along with Meghan that she is fifteen pounds underweight for her height. The average weight of a fourteen year old female is one hundred-five pounds (Disabled World 2014) and with Meghan’s weight at ninety pounds, this is cause for alarm. The doctor has ruled out any other health factors in her lack of weight gain. At this point, with Meghan as a minor, her parents must actively pursue treatment for her long term health and well-being, along with presenting Meghan with the resources to understand she will face severe consequences, both physically and emotionally, if her anorexia is not dealt with and managed. The future for Meghan and her family may be a difficult one to endure. Anorexia is a serious condition that can be life-threatening and should not be taken lightly. Her high school district has no current program that deals specifically with adolescent eating disorders. The parents cannot depend on the public schools to be of any marked assistance with Meghan’s anorexia due to the fact the subject has not been added to the curriculum. This is the cause of budget cuts and school board mandates of study. Proper eating habits are mentioned only in passing in general science class and may have no impact or follow-up for Meghan or her fellow students.
The primary stakeholders in this case are Meghan and her parents. They will be the ones most affected by Meghan’s disorder. The parents are the caretakers and this can take a heavy toll on them financially, physically, and emotionally. The parents must be taught the symptoms they need to look for in the future as a helpful aide in the difficult task they have lying ahead. If Meghan becomes more obsessive with losing
Abstract
Meghan is a fourteen year old female high school freshman with a history of anorexia. Her pediatrician has discussed the fact with her parents along with Meghan that she is fifteen pounds underweight for her height. The average weight of a fourteen year old female is one hundred-five pounds (Disabled World 2014) and with Meghan’s weight at ninety pounds, this is cause for alarm. The doctor has ruled out any other health factors in her lack of weight gain. At this point, with Meghan as a minor, her parents must actively pursue treatment for her long term health and well-being, along with presenting Meghan with the resources to understand she will face severe consequences, both physically and emotionally, if her anorexia is not dealt with and managed. The future for Meghan and her family may be a difficult one to endure. Anorexia is a serious condition that can be life-threatening and should not be taken lightly. Her high school district has no current program that deals specifically with adolescent eating disorders. The parents cannot depend on the public schools to be of any marked assistance with Meghan’s anorexia due to the fact the subject has not been added to the curriculum. This is the cause of budget cuts and school board mandates of study. Proper eating habits are mentioned only in passing in general science class and may have no impact or follow-up for Meghan or her fellow students.
The primary stakeholders in this case are Meghan and her parents. They will be the ones most affected by Meghan’s disorder. The parents are the caretakers and this can take a heavy toll on them financially, physically, and emotionally. The parents must be taught the symptoms they need to look for in the future as a helpful aide in the difficult task they have lying ahead. If Meghan becomes more obsessive with losing