It might surprise you to know that 1 in 5 teens and young adults may struggle with disordered eating behaviors. This isn’t just a distant statistic, but something that could be quietly unfolding in your child’s classroom, on their sports team, or even at your own dinner table. If you’re feeling a tangle of worry right now, you’re not alone. The good news is, with gentle awareness and early support, healing is possible and hope is real, even when things feel uncertain.
What is an eating disorder?
First, it’s important to understand that an eating disorder is a serious and treatable medical illness, not a lifestyle choice or a phase, and many factors contribute to developing eating disorders . It’s defined by persistent, severe disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. These conditions can significantly impact a teen’s physical health, emotional well-being, and ability to function in daily life. I
t’s also helpful to distinguish between a clinical eating disorder and “disordered eating.” Disordered eating describes a wide range of irregular eating habits and behaviors, like occasional bingeing or chronic dieting, that don’t meet the strict criteria for a diagnosis but are still a cause for concern. Statistics show that about 2.7% of U.S. teens have experienced a clinical eating disorder, which often co-occurs with other teen mental health challenges. We’ll explore some of the most common types, like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, in more detail.
What Are the Different Types of Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders can show up in different ways, and each has its own set of behavioral and psychological symptoms. While every teen’s experience is unique, understanding the main types and related mental health concerns can help you recognize the signs more clearly. For a deeper dive into these conditions, our ultimate guide on teen eating disorders offers more detailed information. Below are some of the most common eating disorders seen in teens.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa involves restricting food intake to the point of significantly low body weight. It’s driven by an intense, persistent fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, significantly impacting both physical and mental health . A teen with anorexia may see themselves as overweight even when they are dangerously underweight. It’s also important to know about atypical anorexia nervosa, where a person has all the symptoms of anorexia but isn’t underweight. This condition is just as serious and requires professional care.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. A binge involves eating a large amount of food in a short period while feeling a lack of control. The compensatory behavior, often called purging, can include self-induced vomiting, misusing laxatives, or excessive exercise. This cycle is often accompanied by intense feelings of shame and secrecy.
Binge eating disorder
Binge-eating disorder (BED) involves recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food, often very quickly and to the point of discomfort. Unlike bulimia, these episodes are not followed by compensatory behaviors. Teens with BED often experience a sense of losing control during a binge and may feel guilt, distress, or shame afterward. These episodes are often a way to cope with difficult emotions.
ARFID?
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID, is different from other eating disorders because it’s not driven by a fear of gaining weight or distress about body image. Instead, a teen with ARFID avoids certain foods due to their sensory characteristics (like texture), a past negative experience with food (like choking), or a general lack of interest in eating. This avoidance can lead to significant weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and problems with growth and development.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder?
Recognizing an eating disorder isn’t always straightforward, as many teens try to hide their behaviors. The warning signs can be subtle at first, but they often fall into three main categories. Here’s what parents and caregivers should watch for:
- Behavioral Signs: Skipping meals, making excuses not to eat, or adopting rigid food rituals. You might notice an obsession with calories, fat grams, or dieting. Other signs include withdrawing from friends and social activities, hiding food, or engaging in excessive exercise, even when tired or sick.
- Emotional Signs: A strong preoccupation with body weight and shape, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image. Teens may also show signs of depression, anxiety, or irritability. Low self-esteem and perfectionistic tendencies are common.
- Physical Signs: Significant weight fluctuations (both loss and gain), dizziness, fainting, or constant fatigue. Other physical symptoms can include stomach cramps, constipation, thinning hair, dry skin, and for girls, the loss of a menstrual period.
What Causes Eating Disorders?
There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Instead, they develop from a complex mix of biological, psychological, and social factors. Genetics can play a role, meaning a teen with a family history of eating disorders may have a higher risk. Psychological traits like perfectionism, anxiety, and low self-esteem are also common risk factors.
Often, these conditions co-occur with other mental health challenges like depression or trauma. The landscape for young people has also been dramatically shaped by social media, which often promotes unrealistic body ideals and creates an environment of constant comparison. The stress and isolation of the recent pandemic have further contributed to a rise in eating disorders among teens.
How Are Eating Disorders Treated?
The most effective treatment for eating disorders involves a team of specialists working together. This multidisciplinary team usually includes a medical doctor to monitor physical health, a therapist to address the psychological aspects, and a registered dietitian to guide nutritional rehabilitation.
Evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are often used to help teens change harmful thought patterns and behaviors. For adolescents, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) and family therapy are also highly effective, as they empower parents to support their child’s recovery at home.
Because every teen’s needs are different, care is offered at various levels, from outpatient appointments to more intensive adolescent residential treatment for eating disorders. A comprehensive approach also addresses any co-occurring issues, ensuring your teen gets the holistic support they need to heal. Explore our teen treatment programs to learn more.
What should parents do at home to support their child or teen with an eating disorder?
Creating a supportive home environment is a powerful part of the healing process. While professional treatment is essential, what you do at home can make a world of difference. Here are a few practical ways you can support your child:
- Focus on open communication. Listen to your teen’s feelings without judgment. Validate their struggles and let them know you’re on their side. Try to avoid power struggles over food.
- Model a healthy relationship with food and body. Avoid talking about diets, weight, or labeling foods as “good” or “bad.” Show your child that you enjoy a variety of foods and that you respect your own body.
- Shift the focus away from appearance. Compliment your teen on their kindness, creativity, or effort, not their looks. Plan family activities that don’t revolve around food, like going for a walk, playing a game, or watching a movie together.
- Get support for yourself. Taking care of a child with an eating disorder is emotionally draining. It’s not selfish to seek your own support, whether through therapy, a support group, or by learning more about how parents can participate in treatment. Your well-being matters, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
An eating disorder is diagnosed after a thorough evaluation, usually by a team that may include a doctor, a therapist, and a dietitian. The process often starts with a visit to a pediatrician who will perform a physical exam and may order tests to check your child’s overall health and rule out other medical issues.
A mental health professional will also talk with your teen about their eating patterns, body image, and emotional well-being. A formal diagnosis helps ensure your child receives the specific type of treatment they need for a successful recovery.
If you think your teen might have an eating disorder, the most important first step is to encourage them to talk with a trusted adult. This could be you, another family member, a school counselor, or your family doctor. Reaching out for help is a sign of incredible strength, not weakness.
The goal is to connect with a professional who can provide an accurate assessment in a compassionate way. Assure your child they are not alone and that with the right support and treatment, healing and recovery are absolutely possible.
Eating disorders can have a serious impact on nearly every system in the body, leading to medical complications, and deeply affect a teen’s emotional well-being. Physically, they can lead to heart and digestive problems, bone density loss, dizziness, and severe nutritional deficiencies that can interfere with growth and development.
Emotionally, these disorders often exist alongside anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The constant focus on food and weight can feel all-consuming, making it difficult for a teen to engage with friends, school, and other aspects of life.
Atypical anorexia nervosa involves all the same restrictive behaviors, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image seen in anorexia nervosa. The key difference is that the person’s weight is not medically underweight. They may have lost a significant amount of weight but still be in a “normal” or larger body.
It is crucial to understand that this condition is just as medically and psychologically serious. It carries similar health risks and requires the same comprehensive professional treatment to address the underlying disorder.
Yes, the widespread media conversation about new weight loss drugs can be very triggering for teens who are vulnerable to eating disorders. This intense focus can amplify social pressure to be thin and promote the idea of a “quick fix” for changing one’s body, potentially leading to various mental health issues and reinforcing disordered eating patterns.
For many teens, this can increase anxiety and body dissatisfaction. It’s a great opportunity for parents to have open conversations that focus on overall health and well-being rather than on weight or appearance.
For reliable information and support, several national organizations are fantastic resources for parents. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) provides a helpline, educational articles, and tools to help you find treatment providers in your area.
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) also offers free support groups and recovery resources. These organizations provide evidence-based information to help your family navigate the path to recovery. Your pediatrician can also be a great source of guidance.
Finding Hope and a Path Forward
If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken the first and most important step: seeking information. Remember, recovery from an eating disorder is absolutely possible, especially with early and compassionate support. By learning the warning signs, seeking a professional evaluation, and creating a supportive environment for treating eating disorders , you can guide your child toward a healthier future. You are not alone on this journey. For more information and support, consider reaching out to national organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). Taking action is a sign of strength and love. Call us now for a consultation.
Navigating this path can feel overwhelming, but hope and healing are real. The journey starts with understanding the signs, seeking professional guidance, and creating a circle of support for both your child and yourself. You don’t have to do this alone. If you’re ready to take the next step, our compassionate team at Key Healthcare is here to help. You can reach us at (800) 421-4364 or get in touch through our contact page. A brighter, healthier future is possible, and it begins with a single, hopeful step forward.
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