How to Know if Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder and What to Do Next

Parenting a teenager is never easy. When it comes to their health and well-being, things can get complicated fast. Adolescence is a period of immense change, both physically and emotionally, and with that comes a range of challenges—including concerns about eating habits and body image. If you’ve started noticing changes in your teen’s relationship with food or their appearance, it’s natural to wonder if there’s something deeper going on.

But how can you tell if your teen is struggling, and more importantly, what should you do next?

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

Understanding the common signs of eating disorders can help you intervene early. These signs often manifest in both behaviours and physical changes. Some warning signs to look out for include:

• Rapid weight loss or weight gain: If your teen is losing or gaining weight in a short period without an obvious explanation, it could be a red flag.
• Excessive exercise: While staying active is part of a healthy lifestyle, overdoing it to burn calories or manage body size might indicate a problem.
• Wearing baggy clothes: Teens struggling with body image issues or a distorted body image might start wearing oversized clothing to hide their bodies.
• Changes in eating habits: Skipping meals, avoiding certain foods, or eating large amounts of food in one sitting could signal disordered eating.
• Low self-esteem: Teens often tie their worth to their body weight, and feelings of low self can exacerbate their struggle with body image.

Physical health changes like low body weight, fatigue, fainting, or digestive issues may also point to an eating disorder. If these signs resonate, it’s time to dig deeper.

What Are the Most Common Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders take many forms, but these are particularly prevalent in teens:

Anorexia Nervosa

Teens with anorexia nervosa are afraid to gain weight. They may restrict their portion sizes or overall food intake to achieve a low body weight. Unfortunately, most perceive how they look differently, seeing themselves as overweight even if they’re underweight.

Bulimia Nervosa

This involves cycles of bingeing (eating large amounts of food) followed by purging, such as vomiting or over-exercising. People with bulimia often maintain a normal weight, which can make it harder to detect.

Binge Eating Disorder

Unlike bulimia, binge eating doesn’t involve purging. Instead, teens consume excessive amounts of food in a short period, often leading to feelings of guilt or shame.

Each of these conditions comes with unique challenges, but they share a significant impact on physical health, mental health, and quality of life. They can disrupt daily routines, relationships, and academic performance, creating a ripple effect across every aspect of a teen’s life.

Understanding Risk Factors

No one wakes up and decides to develop an eating disorder. These conditions are influenced by a combination of factors, including:

• Body image pressure: The unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated in the United States and beyond often leave teens feeling inadequate.
• Family history: If there’s a genetic predisposition or history of eating disorders in the family, your teen may be at greater risk.
• Stressful life events: Moving to a new school, family conflicts, or bullying can trigger disordered eating as a coping mechanism.

Recognizing these risk factors can help you provide the support your teen needs before things escalate.

Taking the Next Steps

If you suspect your teen has an eating disorder, the best way to approach them is with compassion, not judgment. Teens struggling with their relationship with food are often grappling with shame or fear, so a calm and understanding tone is crucial.

Here’s how you can help:

Have an Honest Conversation

Find a quiet, private moment to talk to your teen. Express your concerns without focusing solely on their weight or appearance. For example, instead of saying, “You’ve lost a lot of weight,” try, “I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling stressed about food and your body lately. I want to understand how you’re feeling.”

Seek Professional Help

Once your teen opens up, connect them with professionals who specialize in adolescent medicine or eating disorders programs. These experts can evaluate their physical and emotional health and recommend a tailored treatment plan.

Encourage a Healthy Perspective

Work together to rebuild their understanding of healthy eating, portion sizes, and self-worth. Avoid labelling foods as “good” or “bad” and focus on balance instead.

Support Their Recovery

Recovery is a journey, not a quick fix. Be patient and celebrate small victories, whether it’s attending therapy, trying new food, or challenging negative thoughts.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Left untreated, eating disorders can lead to severe health problems, including heart issues, bone density loss, and long-term emotional struggles. Teens with eating disorders are also more likely to experience depression and anxiety, further complicating their recovery.

By addressing these concerns early, you can safeguard your teen’s mental health and set them on a path toward healing. Remember, it’s not just about weight loss or weight gain. It’s about reclaiming their well-being and self-worth.

Final Thoughts

Discovering that your teen might have an eating disorder can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. By understanding the common signs, seeking professional support, and creating a safe space for open communication, you can help your teen navigate this difficult chapter.

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. With the right tools, love, and support, your teen can rebuild a healthy relationship with food, their body, and themselves. You’ve got this, and so do they.

By: Janah Mills