Eating Disorders

As a parent, noticing early signs that your child may be struggling with an eating disorder is critical. Watch for:

• Changes in eating habits—what, when, and how much they eat
• Increasingly restrictive diets
• Unexplained weight swings
• Negative comments about their body image
• Over-exercising
• Spending excessive time in the bathroom

Eating disorders, like other mental health challenges, are never a choice. Even the smallest concern should prompt a gentle conversation with your child and a visit to your doctor.

Eating disorders in youth include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Anorexia Nervosa involves a strong fear of weight gain, distorted self-image, and severe food restriction, causing unhealthy weight loss.

Signs your child may have anorexia include:

• Extreme dieting or limiting food intake
• Fear of gaining weight despite being underweight
• Persistent dissatisfaction with body shape and size
• Withdrawing from social events with friends and family
• Avoiding meals or food-centered activities
• Physical symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, hair thinning, or missed menstrual cycles

Bulimia Nervosa is marked by repeated binge eating episodes followed by actions to prevent weight gain, such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative misuse.

Watch for these signs:

• Episodes of eating large amounts quickly
• Compensatory behaviors like fasting, purging, or over-exercising
• Obsession with body shape and weight
• Physical issues such as dental damage, swollen glands, electrolyte problems, or irregular periods

Binge eating disorder involves frequent episodes of eating large quantities quickly, without purging behaviors.

Signs include:

• Repeated episodes of eating excessive food rapidly
• Eating until uncomfortably full
• Eating large amounts even when not hungry
• Eating alone due to embarrassment
• No efforts to offset binges like vomiting or laxative use

ARFID is a condition where children avoid or restrict food intake due to sensory sensitivity or lack of interest, not because of weight concerns.

Look for signs like:

• Poor weight gain for age
• Nutritional deficiencies such as anemia or low bone density
• Reliance on supplements
• Lack of interest in eating
• Avoidance of foods by texture, smell, or color, unrelated to body image

Eating disorders rarely have a single cause; genetic, environmental, and psychological factors all influence a child’s relationship with food and body image.

Risk factors include:

• Poor body image or excessive focus on weight
• Early dieting habits
• Sports emphasizing weight, like gymnastics, ballet, or wrestling
• Family history of eating disorders
• Mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression

Early detection and treatment often lead to better recovery. If you notice warning signs, talk to your pediatrician about referrals to mental health specialists.

Effective treatment options include:

• Nutrition counseling: Helps rebuild a healthy relationship with food and ensures proper nutrition through personalized meal plans with a registered dietitian.
• Medical monitoring: Tracks physical health impacts through regular check-ups and tests.
• Talk therapy: Provides support to address emotional triggers, build coping skills, and improve self-esteem.
• Medications: May be used to treat related conditions like anxiety or depression.

At Sammy Kim, MD, we know your child’s emotional health matters as much as their physical health. Our caring team includes a board-certified pediatric psychologist specializing in child behavioral health.

We offer same-day visits in our Encino, CA clinic. To schedule, call (818) 789-0941 or contact us online.