How to Recognize and Treat Eating Disorders in Teens

Does My Teen Have an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating can affect anyone, but they are especially common among teenagers. These conditions can deeply impact how your child views food, eating habits, and body weight, influencing both their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Some of the most common eating disorders are:

• Anorexia, a condition that causes people to lose more weight than is healthy for someone at their age and height. People with anorexia often fear being overweight, think they are more overweight than they actually are and use extreme diets and exercise to lose weight.

• Bulimia, a disorder that involves regular episodes of bingeing (eating a large amount of food in a short amount of time) followed by purging (ridding the body of the food through methods like laxatives or vomiting).

• Binge eating disorder, a condition when someone regularly eats very large amounts of food. They can’t control how much they eat and often can’t stop eating.

Learn more about different types of eating disorders.

As a parent or caregiver, it’s important to understand that eating disorders can seriously affect your teen’s health, increasing the risk of heart problems, damage to the digestive system, and even kidney failure. In severe cases, these disorders can become life-threatening. While the challenges can feel overwhelming, early intervention is crucial and can be lifesaving. By learning to recognize the signs of an eating disorder, you can take the first step in getting your child the support and help they need.

What Causes Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders among teens have been on the rise in recent years for many reasons, including:

1. Lack of Control and Feeling Isolated

For some teens, eating disorders are ways of taking control when their lives feel too chaotic. When they feel like they can’t manage what’s going on around them or feel isolated, they may start strictly moderating their diet to regain a sense of control.

2. Too Much Body Talk

Teens are highly sensitive to social cues and often absorb them quickly. They can be deeply influenced by messages that suggest being overweight is something to be ashamed of. With the rise of social media, they are now exposed to these types of harmful messages more than ever before. This pressure to be “skinny enough” can lead them to become obsessive and develop dangerous habits.

3. Struggling with Weight Gain

Like many Americans, teenagers struggle with body weight. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 1 in 5 children and teens have obesity. Overweight and obesity may be on the rise for a few reasons:

• Teens who spend more time at home may have fewer opportunities for physical activity. They may also have easy access to snacks at any time of the day.

• Many adolescents experience sleep problems like insomnia or oversleeping. Both too much and too little sleep have been linked to weight gain.

• Food insecurity — when a household can’t provide enough food for each person to lead a healthy and active lifestyle — may lead families to turn to inexpensive foods that are often less healthy.

If body-conscious teens notice that they’ve gained weight, they may do whatever they can to lose it. For some teens, that means skipping meals, exercising compulsively or purging. Some teens may use food to cope with negative feelings or boredom, leading to binge eating episodes and grazing on food throughout the day.

4. Depression and Anxiety

Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are already common in teens and have been increasing. These conditions can sometimes be linked to eating disorders, affecting your child's health both physically and emotionally. Many teens who have eating disorders also report experiencing depression, anxiety or a behavioral disorder.

Signs of Eating Disorders in Teens

Some of the most common signs of eating disorders in teens include:

• Eating alone

• Eating large amounts of food in a short amount of time

• Excessively exercising

• Missing or having irregular periods

• Not eating at all or eating very little

• Obsessing over food

• Thinking they are overweight, even if they are very thin

• Vomiting after eating

Learn more about the signs of eating disorders.

In addition to changes in these eating and exercise habits, you can also look for mental health signs in your child such as:

• Avoiding social interaction

• Behavior changes, like increased irritability

• Chronic headaches, stomachaches or fatigue

• Frequent sad moods

• Hopelessness about the future

• Low self-esteem

• Not enjoying things that used to make them happy

• Recurring worry or fear about routine parts of their life

How to Help a Teen with an Eating Disorder

If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to talk to your child’s pediatrician or a behavioral health specialist. While eating disorders can impact your teen's physical, mental, and emotional well-being, there is hope. With early intervention and support, your child can begin the path to recovery and healing.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, contact Children’s Nebraska. Our multidisciplinary team offers a comprehensive approach focused on early intervention to care for the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of your child. Learn more about the Eating Disorders Program at Children’s and how it can support your child.