Signs of Disordered Eating in Teens: A Guide for Parents

Posted by on November 08, 2024

As a parent, your child’s health and well-being are your top priorities, and the teen years can create shifts in how your child interacts with food. While some changes in appetite and eating patterns are normal as they grow, it’s important to recognize when these behaviours could be signs of a bigger issue: disordered eating.

Disordered eating refers to a range of irregular eating behaviours that may not yet qualify as a full-blown eating disorder, but can still be harmful to your teen’s physical and mental health. Early recognition and intervention are key in preventing the development of severe eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.

Here are seven key signs of disordered eating in teens that parents should be aware of:

  1. Obsessive Focus on Food, Weight, or Body Shape

One of the first signs of disordered eating is an unhealthy preoccupation with food, weight, or body shape. Teens may become hyper focused on calorie counts, fat content, or the number on the scale. They may constantly compare their body to others and express dissatisfaction with their appearance, even if they are at a healthy weight.

You may notice them cutting out entire food groups (like carbohydrates or fats), obsessing over eating healthfully, refusing to eat foods they previously enjoyed, or engaging in strict dieting behaviours that seem extreme or unnecessary for their health.

  1. Skipping Meals or Eating in Secret

If your teen is frequently skipping meals, claiming they “already ate,” or, “aren’t hungry,” this can be a red flag. While occasional changes and fluctuations in appetite are normal, a pattern of consistently avoiding meals can be a sign of a deeper issue. It’s important for teens to eat regular meals and snacks throughout the day, every day, to ensure that their bodies are getting the right amount of fuel.

Eating in secret or hiding food wrappers can also be signs that your teen is engaging in binge eating or feels shame around their eating habits. This secrecy often points to an unhealthy relationship with food and needs to be addressed in a compassionate and shame-free way.

  1. Dramatic Weight Changes

Rapid weight loss or gain, especially without a clear medical reason, can be an indicator of disordered eating. Even if weight changes are framed as “healthy,” or, “fitness goals,” extreme weight fluctuations can indicate behaviours like restrictive eating, binge eating, or purging. Although it’s normal for teens to fluctuate in weight as they grow, big changes in weight could be a sign of something else going on.

Remember that disordered eating isn’t always visible–someone can struggle with these behaviours even if their weight remains stable or falls within a “normal” range.

  1. Avoiding Social Situations Involving Food

Teens with disordered eating often feel anxious or uncomfortable around food, leading them to avoid social events like family meals, parties, or gatherings where food is present. They might make excuses to avoid eating in front of others, isolate themselves during meal times, or get upset when certain foods are served.

Social isolation around food can signal feelings of shame, guilt, or fear, and may be an attempt to hide their eating habits from others. If this is a pattern you’re noticing with your teen, it could be a sign of disordered eating. 

  1. Extreme Exercise or Compulsive Movement

While regular physical activity is beneficial, exercising to the point of exhaustion or as a way to “compensate” for eating is a red flag. Although your teen may discover a new physical activity they’re passionate or excited about, if they feel anxiety about missing workouts, skip social activities so they can exercise, or if exercise seems to take up a lot of their time and energy, it may be more than a healthy lifestyle change. 

This behaviour is often driven by an underlying fear of gaining weight or feeling “out of control” when it comes to food and body image. Teens who are overly rigid about their exercise routine or who become distressed if they miss a workout may be using exercise to control their weight or cope with emotions, which can quickly become dangerous.

  1. Emotional Changes and Mood Swings

Disordered eating doesn’t just affect physical health–it can also take a toll on mental well-being. If you notice increased irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depression in your teen, these could be linked to disordered eating behaviours.

Teens may also show low self-esteem, increased sensitivity to comments about food or weight, or a sudden change in how they view themselves. They may withdraw from friends and activities they once enjoyed as their focus narrows to their eating habits and body image.

  1. Fixation on “Clean” or “Healthy” Eating

While an interest in nutrition can be positive, an obsession with eating only “clean” or “healthy” foods can become unhealthy. Teens who fear eating foods they deem “bad” or “unhealthy” may develop an overly rigid approach to their diet. This can lead to orthorexia, a condition characterized by an unhealthy obsession with eating only “pure” or “whole” foods.

If your teen is becoming increasingly rigid in their food choices, or expresses anxiety about eating something “imperfect,” it could be a sign of disordered eating.

 

How to Support Your Teen

Recognizing the signs of disordered eating early is key to preventing more serious eating disorders down the line. If you suspect your teen may be struggling with disordered eating, the most important thing you can do is offer non-judgmental support. Open up a conversation with them about how they’re feeling and listen to their concerns. Avoid making comments about their weight, and instead focus on how they’re feeling mentally and emotionally.

With the right support, including working with a Registered Dietitian or therapist who specializes in teen disordered eating, you can provide the guidance your child needs to build a healthier relationship with food and their body.

If you have concerns about your teen’s eating habits, our team is here to help. Reach out to schedule a consultation, and let’s work together to support your teen’s health and well-being.

 

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