Does your child have an eating disorder? Expert psychologist reveals the top 5 warning signs to look out for

Eating disorders are a mental health condition that is often misunderstood, and the associated shame and judgment can lead those affected to mainly hide their condition from others.

According to BEAT, an estimated 1.25 million people in the UK have some form of eating disorder, marking Eating Disorder Awareness Week – aimed at raising awareness and dispelling misconceptions.

Conditions such as anorexia and binge eating disorder can affect people of any age, but often develop in childhood and the teenage years.

And since hiddenness is a common factor, how can you know if your child belongs to the group that is struggling?

Former NHS consultant clinical psychologist with 20 years experience, Dr. Lynne Greene tells FEMAIl the signs to look out for if you’re worried about your child.

There are numerous signs that your child may be developing an unhealthy relationship with food, according to Dr. Lynne, lead psychologist for childhood eating disorders and adolescent inpatient care.

“It’s not always easy to determine if a child’s eating has become a problem,” she said.

‘There are many overlaps between diet culture and eating problems, so it can be difficult to spot the signs at an early stage.

“It’s important to remember that a child doesn’t have to be underweight to have an eating disorder.”

The former CAMHS clinical lead explained that eating disorders can occur at any weight:

“In fact, the false idea that a child must be underweight to have an eating disorder is harmful because it can prevent early diagnosis.”

‘It’s important to remember that early indicators of eating problems don’t necessarily just have to be behaviors around food and eating.

‘Eating problems can present themselves in different ways in different people.’

1. Becoming obsessive about food intake

One of the possible indicators that your child has an eating disorder is if he starts obsessively counting calories or making major changes to his diet.

According to Dr Lynne, this could mean cutting out entire food groups entirely, or even grouping them into ‘good’ and ‘bad’ categories.

Another behavior change you may notice is that your child may start skipping meals or avoiding eating around others, Kooth’s chief clinical officer added.

However, detecting eating disorders is not an exact science, and according to Dr. Lynne, some conditions can often be confused with others.

‘Children with gastrointestinal problems, food allergies or sensory processing issues may struggle with their relationship with food and may exhibit behaviors similar to those seen in eating disorders as a way of coping.’

She said: ‘Loss of appetite is also linked to other mental disorders, such as depression or severe anxiety.

‘It may be useful to seek support from professionals who specialize in helping people with eating problems, as they are best placed to carry out a thorough assessment.’

2. Excessive exercise

Excessive exercise is a warning sign that a young person in your care may be developing an eating disorder, but it can be difficult to recognize, the psychologist explained.

Key indicators of excessive exercise include continuing with activity even when you are unwell or injured, Dr Lynne revealed.

Dr. Lynne explained how to approach your child about a potential health problem and stated that it is essential to keep the lines of communication open.

“If you’re worried, trust your instincts. Whatever change you notice, it is always important to have an open and honest conversation about it.’

She added: ‘Parents should try to approach their child openly and without judgement.

‘Keep in mind that your child may not have recognized to themselves that there is a problem, so they may be resistant at first.

‘Conversely, they may be aware that something is wrong and feel very anxious, so just knowing that you have noticed and are there to support them is likely to be reassuring in itself.’

3. Obsessively checking their bodies

According to Dr. Lynne, a telltale sign of an eating disorder is obsessively weighing oneself or constantly checking one’s body.

While it may be normal to weigh yourself every now and then, stepping on the scale daily can not only be a sign of a growing problem and also affect mood, she said.

The Chief Clinical Officer explained that developing a distorted view of your child’s appearance can also be an early sign of an eating disorder.

This includes your child thinking he is overweight, not being able to see that he has lost weight, or even thinking that he can visibly see the food he just ate.

However, as parents, preventive measures can be taken to promote a healthy relationship with food and a healthy body image at home.

‘Parents and primary caregivers play a crucial role in protecting their children from external factors that can lead to the development of eating disorders,’ said Dr Lynne.

‘One way to promote a healthy relationship with food, our emotions and our bodies is to create a safe and non-judgmental space where children can talk about their feelings and concerns.

‘These could include conversations about food, self-perception, body image and how they view themselves and others.’

She added: ‘Children learn through modelling, therefore parents can model healthy behaviors related to diet and body image.

‘It may be helpful to encourage balanced eating habits, be mindful of the language used around food and avoid dieting behaviors or derogatory comments about their bodies.’

4. Rapid behavioral changes

Signs of a developing problem with food will manifest not only in their relationship with food, but also in their emotional behavior.

Irritability, becoming withdrawn or feeling more tired are indicators that the body may be lacking nourishment, according to Dr. Lynne.

Other signs may be that your child lacks motivation or desire to socialize.

They may also become overly preoccupied with their appearance and avoid having photos taken or even mirrors and surfaces where they can see their reflection, the psychologist explained.

However, the former clinical psychologist urged parents to teach their children to “appreciate their bodies.”

‘It can be helpful to teach children to appreciate their bodies and celebrate their uniqueness, while at the same time recognizing the challenges that arise from images seen on social media and other sources.

She added: ‘By participating in such discussions, children can begin to understand how to distinguish between fact and fiction and develop the ability to evaluate information and form their own opinions, especially when exposed to content which may be misleading or inappropriate.”

5. Changes in their physical appearance

Although Dr. Lynne emphasizes that people with eating disorders do not look one particular way, changes in your child’s physical appearance may indicate an underlying problem.

According to the clinical psychologist, signs to look out for include weight loss or fluctuations, dental problems, changes in the menstrual cycle and hair loss or thinning hair.

‘Eating problems can be very worrying, but they are treatable,’ says Dr Lynne.

‘We know that early intervention means the best possible outcomes and that the support of friends and family is crucial to recovery.’

Dr. Lynne explains that the first GP appointment can be daunting and encourages parents to attend with their child, adding that even a small gesture can make a ‘big difference’.

She added: ‘In addition to providing emotional support, you’ll likely gain insights into your child’s behavior that they don’t have. This can help the GP get a more complete picture of what happened.’

Beat, the UK eating disorder charity, has a range of support available and also has leaflets available for parents on how to prepare and make the first GP appointment.