Childhood Eating Disorders: How to Spot the Signs

Now that the holiday season is over, many of us are looking towards healthier options for our diets after Christmas and New Year indulgences. While it is great to eat healthier, this is a dangerous time for children who are at risk from eating disorders.

Why the Worry

Eating disorders come in all forms. You may be more familiar with anorexia, when a child stops eating altogether, but other kinds of disorders such as bulimia and obsessive control over eating (fad diets, ‘clean eating’, even veganism) can creep up on a child and quickly take over their lives.

Here are a few things you should look out for as a parent if you are concerned that your child is at greater risk of developing an eating disorder, and even if you do not believe they are at risk.

Weight Change

The most obvious sign of an eating disorder in children is the sudden weight change. If they have always been a little on the softer side, it might be good to see them lose a few pounds, but there is an issue if it becomes too much.

Diet Change

Have they suddenly declared that they are a vegetarian or a vegan? While you may think it is a phase (and it might be) declarations of a new diet can be the first sign of an eating disorder, so it is worth keeping an eye on what they eat.

It is not just the obvious either, many Instagram stars profess to be following “clean eating” patterns who have no nutrition training at all, and their diets can be deadly when followed too strictly.

Not Eating with The Family

This is a big sign that many parents face when their children stop eating with them. Many teens will want to eat on their own anyway, but you must instill good communal eating into your child’s life as a parent.

Many bulimia treatment centers see that children will eat with the family, and appear to eat a lot, but they will then expel the food quickly afterwards, this means you need to be vigilant if your child is eating with you then rushing to the toilet straight away.

A New Interest in Exercise

In January, it is quite normal for people to want to start a new exercise regimen, and exercising is a healthy way to burn off those extra Christmas calories, but it is also a way to control diets and food intake. If your child suddenly develops an over-obsessive interest in exercise, it’s worth keeping an eye on it to see if it continues, if so there might be a risk of an eating disorder.

A New Interest in Cooking

Has your child suddenly declared an interest in cooking? You might think this is great, and it might be harmless, but if this interest turns into more of an obsession where they insist on cooking all of their own meals without your input, this is a big red flag.