Signs You Teen May Have an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders often develop during adolescence, but the symptoms may not be what parents expect. Many eating disorders go undetected and untreated because parents don't recognize the warning signs.

Learning to identify the subtle signs of an eating disorder can help you catch a problem early. Early intervention is crucial for effective treatment.

Watch for the following warning signs that may indicate your teen has an eating disorder:

1. Body Insecurity:

2. Harsh self-criticism about weight or appearance.

3. Feeling "fat" or ugly despite being at a healthy weight.

4. Skipping Meals:

5. Frequent excuses for not eating, such as "already ate at a friend's house."

6. Crash dieting or fasting.

7. Excessive Exercise:

8. Spending hours each day engaged in physical activity.

9. Obsession with burning calories.

10. Picky Eating:

11. Avoiding entire food groups or eating the same things for every meal.

12. Refusal to try new foods.

13. Disappears After Meals:

14. Quickly leaving the table or bathroom after meals.

15. Suspected purging (vomiting or using laxatives).

16. Wearing Baggy Clothes:

17. Wearing clothes that are several sizes too big to hide weight loss.

18. Stashing Food in the Bedroom:

19. Hidden stashes of food or empty wrappers in the bedroom.

20. Cooking Big Meals for Others:

21. Enjoying the preparation of food but not eating it themselves.

22. Avoids Eating in Public:

23. Refusal to eat in restaurants, cafeterias, or at family gatherings.

24. Feels Cold All the Time:

25. Frequent complaints of being cold, even in warm weather.

26. Dry Skin:

27. Skin problems due to dehydration common in bulimia and anorexia.

28. Swollen Cheeks:

29. Puffy cheeks due to swollen salivary glands as a result of purging.

30. Rigid Eating Habits:

31. Obsessive checking of food labels or ingredients.

32. Extreme restrictions on food intake.

If you see warning signs, talk to your teen's doctor. Early identification and treatment can make a big difference in recovery from an eating disorder.