James Donaldson on Mental Health - What Is an Eating Disorder and When to Worry

What signs to look for Kids with eating disorders often try to keep their unhealthy eating habits and behaviors a secret, but there are still some signs that parents might notice.

Signs of anorexia Losing weight unexpectedly and/or being dangerously thin (Despite their extreme thinness, kids with anorexia usually don’t think that they are unhealthy and actually want to lose even more weight.) Obsessing over calorie counts, nutritional facts, and diets Spending many hours exercising to burn off calories Skipping meals Avoiding eating socially Irregular periods, thinning hair, and constant exhaustion Signs of bulimia Exercising excessively or using diet pills or laxatives Going to the bathroom immediately after meals Spending a lot of time in the bathroom Having a sore throat, sore knuckles, discolored teeth, and poor enamel Hoarding food in her room Having large amounts of food that go missing at home Preventing Eating Disorders Eating disorders can affect all kinds of kids for all kinds of reasons.

Still, there things you can do to help your child build a healthy relationship with food and eating and reduce the risk that they might develop an eating disorder.

Try to establish healthy eating habits .

Make a routine of eating healthy, balanced meals as a family.

Discuss foods in terms of how healthy they are, not how “good” or “bad” they are.

Don’t criticize your child’s weight or appearance.

Adolescence is a difficult time for most kids, and it’s essential to provide them with a nurturing and supportive environment.

Some kids are more likely than others to develop eating disorders.

Be extra vigilant if you have a family history of eating disorders or if you know that your child is under extreme pressure to look a certain way.