Many kids — particularly teens — are concerned about how they look and can feel self-conscious about their bodies. This can be especially true when they are going through puberty, and undergo dramatic physical changes and face new social pressures.
Unfortunately, for a growing proportion of kids and teens, that concern can grow into an obsession that can become an eating disorder. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa cause dramatic weight fluctuation, interfere with normal daily life, and damage vital body functions.
Parents can help prevent kids from developing an eating disorder by nurturing their self-esteem, and encouraging healthy attitudes about nutrition and appearance. Also, if you are worried that your child may be developing an eating disorder, it's important to intervene and seek proper medical care. This is also true if there is any family history of eating disorders.
About Eating Disorders
Generally, eating disorders involve self-critical, negative thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, and eating habits that disrupt normal body function and daily activities.
While more common among girls, eating disorders can affect boys, too. They're so common in the U.S. that 1 or 2 out of every 100 kids will struggle with one, most commonly anorexia or bulimia. Unfortunately, many kids and teens successfully hide eating disorders from their families for months or even years.
People with anorexia have an extreme fear of weight gain and a distorted view of their body size and shape. As a result, they strive to maintain a very low body weight. Some restrict their food intake by dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise. They hardly eat at all and often try to eat as few calories as possible, frequently obsessing over food intake. The small amount of food they do eat becomes an obsession.
Bulimia is characterized by habitual binge eating and purging. Someone with bulimia may undergo weight fluctuations, but rarely experiences the low weight associated with anorexia. Both disorders can involve compulsive exercise or other forms of purging food they have eaten, such as by self-induced vomiting or laxative use.
Although anorexia and bulimia are very similar, people with anorexia are usually very thin and underweight but those with bulimia may be a normal weight or even overweight. Binge eating disorders, food phobia, and body image disorders are also becoming increasingly common in adolescence.
It's important to remember that eating disorders can easily get out of hand and are difficult habits to break. Eating disorders are serious clinical problems that require professional treatment by doctors, therapists, and nutritionists.
Causes of Eating Disorders
The causes of eating disorders aren't entirely clear. However, a combination of psychological, genetic, social, and family factors are thought to be involved.
For kids with eating disorders, there is a large gap between the way they see themselves and how they actually look. People with anorexia or bulimia frequently have an intense fear of gaining weight or being overweight and frequently think they look bigger than they actually are. Also, certain sports and activities like cheerleading, gymnastics, ballet, ice skating, and wrestling may put some kids or teens at greater risk for eating disorders.
There is also an increased incidence of other problems among kids and teens with eating disorders, like anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Sometimes, problems at home can put kids at higher risk of problem eating behaviors.
Some research suggests that media images contribute to the rise in the incidence of eating disorders. Most celebrities in advertising, movies, TV, and sports programs are very thin, and this may lead girls to think that the ideal of beauty is extreme thinness. Boys, too, may try to emulate a media ideal by drastically restricting their eating and compulsively exercising to build muscle mass.
Concerns about eating disorders are also beginning at an alarmingly young age. Research shows that 42% of first- to third-grade girls want to be thinner, and 81% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat. In fact, most kids with eating disorders began their disordered eating between the ages of 11 and 13.
Many kids who develop an eating disorder have low self-esteem and their focus on weight can be an attempt to gain a sense of control at a time when their lives feel more out-of-control.
The Effects of Eating Disorders
While eating disorders can result from serious mental and behavioral health conditions, as well as trauma (for example, sexual abuse), they can lead to very serious physical health problems. Anorexia or bulimia may cause dehydration and other medical complications like heart problems or kidney failure. In extreme cases, eating disorders can lead to severe malnutrition and even death.
With anorexia, the body goes into starvation mode and the lack of nutrition can affect the body in many ways:
- a drop in blood pressure, pulse, and breathing rate
- hair loss and fingernail breakage
- loss of periods
- lanugo hair, a soft hair that can grow all over the skin
- lightheadedness and inability to concentrate
- anemia
- swollen joints
- brittle bones
With bulimia, constant vomiting and lack of nutrients can cause:
- constant stomach pain
- damage to the stomach and kidneys
- tooth decay (from exposure to stomach acids)
- "chipmunk cheeks," when the salivary glands permanently expand from throwing up so often
- loss of periods
- loss of the mineral potassium (this can contribute to heart problems and even death)
Warning Signs
It can be a challenge for parents to tell the difference between kids' normal self-image concerns and warning signs of an eating disorder.
While many kids and teens — girls in particular — are self-conscious, compare themselves with others, and talk about dieting, this doesn't necessarily mean they have eating disorders. Kids with eating disorders show many abnormal behaviors and physical signs.
Someone with anorexia might:
- become very thin, frail, or emaciated
- be obsessed with eating, food, and weight control
- weigh herself or himself repeatedly
- count or portion food carefully
- only eat certain foods, avoid foods like dairy, meat, wheat, etc. (of course, lots of people who are allergic to a particular food or are vegetarians avoid certain foods)
- exercise excessively
- feel fat
- withdraw from social activities, especially meals and celebrations involving food
- be depressed, lethargic (lacking in energy), and feel cold a lot
Someone with bulimia might:
- fear weight gain
- be intensely unhappy with body size, shape, and weight
- make excuses to go to the bathroom immediately after meals
- only eat diet or low-fat foods (except during binges)
- regularly buy laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
- spend most of his or her time working out or trying to work off calories
- withdraw from social activities, especially meals and celebrations involving food
If You Suspect an Eating Disorder
If you suspect your child has an eating disorder, it's important to intervene and help your child get diagnosed and treated. Kids with eating disorders often react defensively and angrily when confronted for the first time. Many have trouble admitting, even to themselves, that they have a problem. Sometimes getting a family member or friend who has been through treatment for an eating disorder can help encourage someone to get help.
Trying to help when someone doesn't think he or she needs it can be hard. As hard as it might be, getting the professional assistance needed, even if your child resists, is the best help you can give as a parent. Approach your child in a loving, supportive, and non-threatening way when your child feels comfortable and relaxed and there are no distractions.
Your child may be more receptive to a conversation if you focus on your own concerns, and use "I" statements, rather than "you" statements. For example, steer clear of statements like "you have an eating disorder" or "you're obsessed with food," which may only prompt anger and denial. Instead, try "I imagine that it's very stressful to count calories of everything you eat" or "I'm worried that you have lost so much weight so quickly." Cite specific things your child has said or done that have made you worry, and explain that you want your child to see a doctor to put your own mind at ease.
If you still encounter resistance, talk with your doctor or a mental health care professional about other approaches.
Treating Eating Disorders
Treatment focuses on helping kids cope with their disordered eating behaviors and establish new patterns of thinking about and approaching food. This can involve medical supervision, nutritional counseling, and therapy. The professionals will address a child's perception about his or her body size, shape, eating, and food.
Kids who are severely malnourished may require hospitalization and ongoing care after their medical condition stabilizes.
Generally, the earlier the intervention (ideally, before malnutrition or a continual binge-purge cycle starts), the shorter the treatment required.
Preventing Eating Disorders
You can play a powerful role in your child's development of healthy attitudes about food and nutrition.
Your own body image can influence your kids. If you constantly say "I'm fat," complain about exercise, and practice "yo-yo" dieting, your kids might feel that a distorted body image is normal and acceptable.
At a time of great societal concern about obesity, it can be tricky for parents to talk with their kids about their eating habits. It's best to emphasize health, rather than weight. Make sure your kids know you love them for who they are, not how they look. It's OK to appreciate attractiveness in celebrities — if your kids (and you!) feel OK about how they look, it won't prompt them to try to change to be like someone else. Getting the message that they're great as they are and that their bodies are healthy and strong is a wonderful gift that parents can give their kids.
Try to avoid power struggles regarding food — if your teen wants to "go vegetarian," be supportive even if you're an avid meat-eater. Teens frequently go through "faddy" eating periods, so try to set good limits, encourage healthy eating, and avoid fighting over food issues. Kids can catch on pretty quickly if their parents panic over one skipped meal. Try to gain perspective and talk to your kids about what's going on if they don't want to eat with the family.
Finally, take an active role in creating a healthy lifestyle for your family. Involve your kids in the preparation of healthy, nutritious meals. Let them know that it's OK to eat when hungry and refuse food when they're not. Also, make exercise a fun, rewarding, and regular family activity.
Developing your own healthy attitudes about food and exercise will set an excellent example for your kids.
Reviewed by: Michelle New, PhD
Date reviewed: December 2008
