Warning Signs of Kids' Eating Disorders
As a parent, you've most likely heard about or have given some thought to the issue of kids' eating disorders. Anorexia (self-starvation) can be fatal. Bulimia (bingeing and purging) can ruin teeth, cause serious heart problems and permanently damage major organs in the body. Compulsive overeating can lead to obesity.
Only a medical professional can actually diagnose an eating disorder, but you can keep an eye out for the following warning signs. If you notice them in your child, get to a doctor or therapist as soon as possible.
A child with an eating disorder:
- Displays a sudden abnormal weight loss or weight gain.
- Eats a lot less than usual, or eats a lot more than usual.
- Diets all the time, even when thin or at a normal weight.
- Has a distorted body image—feels "too fat" even when thin.
- Exercises excessively (too much) or compulsively (can't stop).
- Is obsessed with weight; is terrified of gaining weight.
- Always counts calories and food grams; always reads labels on food packages; refuses to eat foods with fat in them; drinks diet sodas all the time.
- Abuses laxatives, diuretics (for water loss), diet pills, supplements, and "natural" diet aids.
- Often makes excuses not to eat ("I just ate," "I'm not hungry," "I'm too wired to eat," "My stomach is too upset right now," "I don't like that—I'll eat something later").
- Leaves the table during meals; spends time in the bathroom right after eating; runs the water to mask any sounds; vomits after eating.
- Acts weirdly around food: eats only certain types of foods; chews food, then spits it out before swallowing; skips meals or takes only tiny portions; acts "disgusted" with food; eats only "safe" foods; will only eat from a certain plate or bowl; cuts food into tiny pieces; chews every bite the same number of times; keeps moving food around the plate; cooks for others but won't eat the food.
- Refuses to eat around other people; avoids restaurants.
- Eats in secret; gorges on food when alone; hides food; has a lot of empty food packages and wrappers.
- Is moody, irritable, secretive, sad, cranky, touchy, and/or tired all the time; has dramatic mood swings.
- Starts wearing very loose-fitting, baggy clothing, or very tight-fitting, revealing clothing.
- Uses lots of negative self-talk ("I'm a pig," "I'm a loser," "Everyone hates me"); has poor self-esteem.
- Constantly complains about being "fat," "huge," or "obese"; talks constantly about food and weight; is jealous of people who are thin and vows to be like them.
- Claims that being thin will change his or her life ("I'll feel better about myself when I'm thin," "People will like me more when I'm thin").
- Obsesses about his or her body; hates it or parts of it; spends a lot of time in front of the mirror or refuses to look in a mirror.
- Withdraws from or avoids friends and family.
- Lies about eating; feels ashamed or guilty after eating.
- Cuts himself/herself or hurts self in other ways.
- Has physical signs of a problem—like dull, stringy hair (or loss of hair), tooth decay, very dry skin, rashes, cold hands, scrapes on the backs of his or her knuckles (from self-induced vomiting), constant sore throat, or fine hair growing on the face or body.
- Denies that anything is wrong.
- For more information, visit the National Eating Disorders Association or call (800) 931-2237 toll-free.
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