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05.02.22
Identifying and treating eating disorders in teens

Eating disorders are on the rise in the U.S. and throughout the world. Of all ages, teens are most likely to suffer from an eating disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 2.7 percent of adolescents aged 13-18 develop an eating disorder. Eating disorders can affect both girls and boys. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital reports that eating disorders have the highest risk of death of any mental health disorder. 

What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is a mental health condition that causes severe disturbances in people’s eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. Eating disorders often involve eating too much, not eating enough, excessive exercise, and abusing medications like diuretics and laxatives for the purpose of weight control.  

Without treatment, eating disorders can lead to physical problems that affect the heart, bone loss, seizures, anemia, hormone imbalances, and, in late stages, organ failure. Psychological effects include distorted thoughts, obsessive behaviors, low self-esteem, self-harm, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and risk for suicide. 

Types of eating disorders

The most common eating disorders are:

  • Anorexia nervosa: Eating so little that bodyweight is well below normal. It often involves excessive exercise to keep weight down.
  • Bulimia nervosa: Purging after eating can also include excessive exercise.
  • Binge eating disorder: Eating large amounts of food often and in secret.
  • Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): In ARFID, a person is unable to, or refuses to, eat certain foods based on texture, color, taste, temperature, or aroma. 

What causes eating disorders?

Unfortunately, no one knows what causes eating disorders, but some factors may make a child more susceptible. These include:

  • Having a parent or sibling with an eating disorder
  • Being a teen or in the early 20s
  • Taking part in a sport or activity with a focus on weight or appearance (such as modeling, wrestling, dance, gymnastics, diving, or long-distance running)
  • Feeling the need to be perfect all the time
  • Having an existing mental health problem like depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder

What are the signs to watch for?

Food-related signs

  • Constant dieting and trying fad diets (such as liquid diets), or reading lots of diet books
  • Avoiding certain foods or making a sudden change in diet (such as becoming a vegetarian overnight)
  • Suddenly eating less food
  • Cooking food but not eating it, or eating only a very small amount
  • Not wanting to eat with family or friends
  • Going to the bathroom often after meals

Other signs

  • Rapid weight gain or loss
  • Constant talk about weight
  • Constant checking of weight
  • Negative talk about a specific body part
  • Fear of gaining weight
  • Excessive exercise
  • Seeming to take many showers (to hide sounds of purging)
  • Taking diet pills or laxatives
  • Missing periods
  • Change in relationship with peers
  • Interest in pro-eating-disorder websites (websites that promote eating disorders)
  • Muscle wasting and weakness
  • Brittle hair and nails
  • Dry and yellowish skin
  • Growth of fine hair all over the body (lanugo)

If you suspect your child has developed an eating disorder:

Get help early. It’s important for parents to remember that an eating disorder is a mental health condition and not a bad behavior. When intervention happens early, a person has a better chance of recovery. Make an appointment with your child's doctor to determine the best treatment plan for your child. Treatment may include referral to specialized outpatient or inpatient programs and psychotherapy. Mount Nittany Physician Group Pediatrics will refer patients to the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital Eating Disorder Clinic for specialized treatment.
 
Talk to your child about your concerns. Be calm, direct, and caring. Let them know you are there to help. Provide mental health support. 
 
Go to all medical and care visits. Work with the care team to get the help your child needs. Ask questions.
 
Be patient and supportive. Learn what you can do to help your child. Try to keep your relationship with your child strong and positive. Make time to listen, talk, and do things you both enjoy.
 
Focus on a healthy lifestyle. Encourage everyone in your family to be active every day and eat a varied diet.