Eating Disorders in Kids and Teens

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect many children and teens. They can develop as a result of body image issues, unrealistic beauty standards, perfectionism, low self-esteem, peer pressure, or underlying mental health conditions. Often, there isn't one single cause for eating disorders. Understanding the warning signs and seeking proper support can help kids develop a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.  

There are various types of eating disorders, but the most common three are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa causes someone to overly restrict their calories and exercise excessively to the point of starvation and unhealthy weight loss. Kids with anorexia may start with a reasonable goal of losing extra weight or pursuing a healthier diet and then start developing obsessive thoughts about dieting and exercising. They may choose to only eat a small number of foods they deem to be safe and become avoidant towards other foods. 

Anorexia isn't always easy to identify in kids as many children with the disorder are secretive about their restrictions. For example, if you notice your child is eating very little or skipping a meal, they might claim that they had eaten a large meal earlier and are less hungry. Other signs include long periods of isolation, suddenly wearing bulkier or baggy clothes, depression, fatigue, mood swings, feeling cold all the time, hair loss, brittle nails, dry and rough skin, and constipation. Girls often experience irregular menstruation, too.

Bulimia nervosa causes someone to eat large amounts of food and then induce vomiting to get rid of the food they've consumed to avoid weight gain. Kids with bulimia might also exercise excessively and/or use diet pills and laxatives. Bulimia is usually triggered by similar reasons as anorexia, such as a distorted body image. But it also happens when kids don't feel they have control over binge eating, followed by guilt or fear of weight gain. It is a cycle that can be difficult to break. Signs of bulimia can be similar to anorexia (although they may not lose weight), but you may notice your child hiding food, frequently experiencing an upset stomach, feeling dizziness, or fainting. Tooth decay can also occur as the acids from vomiting can harm the enamel. 

Binge eating disorder causes someone to eat too much food too quickly, even during periods when they're not hungry. It is often done in secret and with shame and guilt. Kids with a binge eating disorder have trouble controlling their eating and can even eat to the point of feeling sick. Triggers for binge eating can be stress, low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety, and food is seen as a comfort to cope with these triggers. Some signs you might notice include your child trying to eat alone often, hiding a large amount of food in their room, and experiencing major changes in their weight. 

If you suspect that your child has an eating disorder, it's important to get them help right away. Eating disorders can severely impact health and can even be fatal. The earlier your child gets treated, the higher the chances are for recovery. Treatment usually involves a team approach, including your child's pediatrician, mental health professionals, and family. Start by visiting the pediatrician so that they can evaluate how the eating disorder has impacted your child's health and weight. The pediatrician will determine if your child requires outpatient therapy or hospitalization and can recommend counseling programs, including for mental health and nutrition. Counseling can help your child manage their unhealthy thoughts on food, improve their self-image, and develop healthy eating patterns. 

We are here to support your family. If you have any concerns about your child's mental health or eating patterns, call our office.