How to Identify Early Warning Signs for Eating Disorders
Eating disorders have long been a topic of concern for parents and community members in the young adolescent and teenage years. And while the mainstream media has and continues to portray underweight and unhealthy celebrities as ideal, social media is also becoming an increasing presence as a possible risk factor for developing an eating disorder (see Social Side Effects).
Eating disorders usually surface in the young adolescent and teenage years, specifically ages 13-18 years old. More studies, however, are indicating kids are developing them at younger and younger ages. Eating disorder behaviors generally develop in this age range because of age-specific changes. The brain is going through chemical and anatomic changes, puberty begins and the body physically changes. Teenagers are also gaining a sense of self in relation to their surroundings and peer group. Other risk factors for developing an eating disorder are:
Gender: Females represent 90 percent of the eating disorder population by report, although more studies show the incidence within males is increasing, and likely closer to 25 percent of the eating disorder population is male.
Genetics: Family history of eating disorders increases risk.
Personality/temperament: Perfectionistic, high-achieving personalities are at risk of developing anorexia nervosa, while more impulsive extroverted personalities can develop bulimia nervosa (although anyone with any of these traits can develop any particular eating disorder).
Society and media: Kids see unrealistic messages that being thin means being beautiful, smart and successful. Additionally, social media can be a forum for body shaming and dieting tips/tricks.
Sports: Athletic activities that portray a certain body image as ideal for that particular sport can put someone at risk. Ballet, cheerleading, swimming, wrestling, dance, even football are examples. Running, in particular, has been shown to have the highest risk of any sport.
Family relationships and attitudes: Poor relationships and interactions and family members that focus on thinness and appearance increase risk.
Dieting: The greatest trigger for developing an eating disorder, dieting causes chemical changes in the brain and biological and hormonal changes in the body.
It is important to note that someone may have all of the risk factors above, or only one of them and develop an eating disorder. There is never one thing, event or person to blame.
Red flags that someone may be engaging in eating disorder behaviors include:
- Weight loss
- Constant thoughts about body size and/or weight with fear of weight gain
- Skipping meals
- Avoiding certain food groups
- Reading food labels, counting calories and refusing to eat anything that it is not known exactly what is in it
- Rigidity in eating the same foods over and over
- Avoiding situations that may involve eating or eating in front of others
- Excessive exercise
- Evidence of eating large amounts of food
- Signs of purposeful vomiting (soiled toilet, going to the bathroom or showering after eating, running water in the bathroom)
- Low heart rate, dizziness, cold intolerance and fatigue
- Loss of periods or irregular periods
It is important that if you notice any of these warning signs or have any suspicion about an eating disorder, you don’t delay seeking treatment. Treatment includes a team of physicians, dietitians and psychological professionals who have training in treating eating disorders. Eating disorders have the highest mortality of ANY psychiatric illness. This means many patients will die from suicide or medical complications caused by their eating disorder. Remember, having an eating disorder in not a choice, much like being diagnosed with depression or cancer. The sooner an individual seeks treatment, the more likely he or she can fully recover.
For more information, visit ARChildrens.org/Services/Eating-Disorders-Clinic.
Social Side Effects
Social media is now the way many teenagers interact with each other, which puts this population at risk of being bullied and body-shamed online and could lead to developing an eating disorder. It is important for parents to limit screen time and monitor social media activity. If you notice any of the following hashtags, you may need to start a conversation with your child about self-worth.
Anorexia: #ana, #proana, #proanamia, #proed, #eatingdisorder, #thinspo, #thinspiration, #skinny, #anorexia, #fat, #diet, #thynspooo, #hipbones, #sue, #secretsociety123
Binge Eating: #bingeeating, #bingefood, #overeating, #starving
Bulimia: #bulimia, #bulimic, #lax, #purge
Information courtesy of TeenSafe, a service that allows parents to monitor their child’s smartphone. For more information and online security tips, visit TeenSafe.com.
Modeling Healthy Body Image
It is important to remember that a parent may be doing everything right and a teen can still develop an eating disorder. But generally, these tips can help families create healthier home environments:
- Model healthy eating (which means that everything is OK in moderation) and body acceptance.
- Have enjoyable meals together that promote communication as often as possible.
- Include family or group activities that are non-physical in nature and encourage interests and hobbies outside of sports or exercise.
- Build healthy self-esteem that focuses on things such as one’s character rather than appearance.