Doctors do not know why some people develop eating disorders, but there are signs and symptoms to watch out for.
Things like genetics, personality, and emotional well-being, or some combination of these, may play a factor in the development of eating disorders. It is imperative to know what to look out for and to take action as soon as possible.
“The key to treatment is early intervention,” said Dr. Seeba Anam, psychiatrist and medical director of the Eating Disorders Program at the University of Chicago Medicine. “There’s often a period of time where eating disorders occur and go undetected. If parents have suspicions, it makes sense to call us.”
The most common types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
Anorexia nervosa is a condition where people severely restrict food or eat very small quantities of only certain foods. They may have a fear of gaining weight or engage in behaviors to prevent weight gain. They may weigh themselves repeatedly. Part of the issue is one of perception as those with anorexia may see themselves as being overweight despite being dangerously underweight.
Teens who suffer from bulimia nervosa usually eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, followed by forced vomiting. The disorder can also involve excessive use of laxatives, fasting, excessive exercise, or a combination of these behaviors.
ARFID is when a person avoids or restricts food. This leads to nutrient and calorie deficiency, which can affect one’s ability to grow and develop normally. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people with ARFID do not have a distorted body image or fear of gaining weight. People with ARFID may lose interest in social functions that involve food.
University of Chicago Medicine says that the following behaviors could be warning signs of an eating disorder:
- Skipping meals, snacks or cutting out food groups they used to enjoy
- Making strict rules around eating
- Significant or rapid weight loss
- Not socializing with friends or family in order to avoid eating with them
- Spending lots of time counting calories or planning out meals
- Excessive exercise
- Cutting out calorie-dense foods
- Taking medications to suppress appetite
- Buying or using laxatives that haven’t been prescribed
- Weighing themselves multiple times a day
- Secretive eating
Also, be on the lookout for the following physical symptoms:
- Lethargy or tiredness
- Decreased ability to concentrate
- Disruption in menstrual cycles
- Frequently feeling cold, even in warm surroundings
- Dizziness or fainting
- Becoming sick after eating
If you believe your child is suffering from an eating disorder, click here for resources from Children’s Health.