Spotting the signs of disordered eating in youth: Tips for folks and caregivers

In the age of social media, youth are always bombarded with viral trends and toxic messages that set unrealistic standards concerning the ideal body image. This has translated right into a far too common expression of body shape dissatisfaction in young people.

Eating disorderssimilar to anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder are serious mental health conditions that affect roughly a million Canadians. These conditions are also on the rise in youth, with research showing that health-care visits for eating disorders doubled in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, in comparison with before the pandemic.

This is concerning, since there are already very long wait times for eating disorder programs.

Impact of eating disorders

Individuals with eating disorders experience a problematic relationship with food, often accompanied by significant distress about their weight, shape and size. Many experience body image dissatisfaction and restrictive eating.

Eating disorders don’t discriminate. They can occur in people of any race/ethnicity, age, socioeconomic class or gender. Youth who don’t “fit” the stereotype of an eating disorder, especially those from Black, Indigenous and racialized backgrounds, may face delayed recognition and diagnosis.

Eating disorders impact every aspect of a person’s life and contribute to significant distress for the affected person and their family, including their siblings. They can have serious and life-threatening complicationssimilar to bradycardia (heart beating too slowly), osteoporosis (bone weakening) and anemia (low red blood cell count). Eating disorders are also related to a high rate of premature death.

As clinicians and researchers, we’ve studied and worked with youth and their families battling eating disorders or “disordered eating” (the spectrum of unhealthy eating behaviour and patterns). Below we provide a guide for folks and other supportive adults on recognizing the signs of disordered eating in youth and offer practical resources and tricks to support them effectively.

Signs of disordered eating

Considering the growing concern concerning the rise in eating disorder behaviour in youth, and the importance of timely recognition and motion, the next signs and symptoms of disordered eating are essential to look out for:

Behaviours related to disordered eating:

• Excessive exercise to cut back weight or change body shape

• Going to the toilet immediately after eating

• Eating in secret

• Restricting foods, similar to a particular food group

• A preoccupation with reducing weight or maintaining a low body weight

• Frequently weighing themselves due to body image dissatisfaction

• Unusual behaviour around food similar to weighing/measuring food or cutting food into tiny pieces, or large consumption of liquids at mealtimes (for calorie dilution and a sensation of fullness)

Physical signs of disordered eating:

• Unexplained weight reduction or weight fluctuations (up or down)

• Delayed puberty or amenorrhea (missed periods)

• Sensitive or damaged teeth

• Dizziness or fainting

• Feeling cold

• Stomach pain

Social and psychological signs of disordered eating:

• Personality changes, similar to social withdrawal and increased irritability

• Depression or anxiety

• Fighting with others about food, eating and weight

• Avoidance of food-related social activities like birthdays or sleepovers

General recommendations for all parents and caregivers

1. Be looking out for sudden or drastic changes in your child’s eating habits, similar to extreme weight-reduction plan, avoiding certain foods, preoccupation with weight, and fears about losing control of overeating. Also, keep a watch out for frequent fluctuations in meal patterns.

2. Pay attention to any physical changes you notice in your child, similar to unexplained weight reduction or gain, persistent fatigue, or changes in mood. These may very well be signs of underlying issues related to disordered eating.

3. Be mindful of withdrawal from social situations that centre on food, similar to avoiding gatherings where meals are involved.

4. In addition to social media useparent role modelling can shape children’s attitudes and behavior toward food and body image. As a result, we recommend that folks ditch the weight-based talk. It is best to avoid commenting on people’s physical appearances, weight, shape and body sizes, including your personal and others in your life. Rather, we recommend parents concentrate on health moderately than appearances and empower youth to develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies.

The importance of early identification and intervention

If you notice among the signs and symptoms of disordered eating, it is important to speak along with your child. Invite them to share their experiences and listen without judgement. Express compassion, kindness and concern about their health and well-being.

If you think your child’s health is in danger, warmly but firmly tell them that you just are fearful about them and organize contact with a health-care skilled. Make an appointment along with your primary care provider and come to your appointment prepared to debate the variety of behaviour you may have been seeing.

Previous research suggests that quickly searching for help may support higher recovery from an eating disorder. This awareness motivates each providers and relations into motion to quickly discover eating disorder behaviour in youth and to advocate for them to receive comprehensive care from a various health-care team including psychologists, physicians, dieticians and social employees.

If you experience a protracted wait for targeted support in your area, consider also exploring reputable organizations in your geographical location.

It is significant for folks and caregivers to acknowledge that negative body talk doesn’t mean that your child has an eating disorder. It is, nevertheless, something to be mindful of, especially when coupled with the signs of eating disorders provided above.

The National Eating Disorders Information Centre helpline and live chat can be found seven days every week. For Helpline call 1-866-NEDIC-20 (toll-free) or live chat at nedic.ca