Does My Child Have an Eating Disorder? Signs and Symptoms
Noticing an eating disorder in your child can be incredibly challenging, and that’s not your fault.
Eating disorders often start with subtle changes—small shifts in mood, habits, or eating patterns that can easily blend into the everyday challenges of adolescence. There is also still a lot of stereotyping about eating disorders, and what they “look” like, so if your child doesn’t “look” like they have an eating disorder, it can be even harder to imagine that you might be dealing with ED.
Parents also naturally want to trust their child’s independence and choices, so these early signs may not stand out. Please know that it’s normal to miss the early signals, as eating disorders are often ‘secretive’ disorders, so it is important that parents to recognize the signs and symptoms because understanding what to look for can be the first step in supporting your child.
In this blog, we’ll explore the signs of eating disorders, common reasons they can go unnoticed or misdiagnosed, and the importance of seeking help. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and early intervention can make a significant difference.
WHAT IS AN EATING DISORDER?
First and foremost, eating disorders are a mental illness, with physical symptoms and manifestations. That means that by the time you are noticing concerning behaviours, it is highly probable that something has been brewing in the background for a period of time.
So, why do eating disorders go unrecognized? It is not only parents who can miss the signs, but health professionals as well.
COMMON REASONS EATING DISORDERS GO UNRECOGNIZED
Medical labs appear normal
Some individuals with an eating disorder may have normal lab results and blood tests, even if their health is compromised, giving doctors no cause for alarm.. This can happen because the body often goes into a “survival mode,” adapting to restricted intake by prioritizing essential functions. For example, electrolyte and blood sugar levels may appear normal because the body redistributes resources to maintain vital organs. Additionally, lab results may not detect damage occurring at a cellular or organ level, and some deficiencies or imbalances only emerge after prolonged restriction or purging. Regular, specialized monitoring is essential for accurate health assessment.
Can mimic ADD, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression
Eating disorders in adolescents can sometimes resemble ADHD because both conditions can involve symptoms like restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. When a young person’s body is deprived of adequate nutrients due to an eating disorder, it can impact their ability to focus, regulate emotions, and maintain steady energy levels. Additionally, preoccupation with food, body image, or exercise routines can mimic ADHD behaviours, making it hard to differentiate between the two. This overlap can delay diagnosis, making it crucial to look at broader patterns, including eating and mood changes. (For more detail, click HERE to read our blog on ADHD in Eating Disorder recovery.)
Can mimic OCD
Eating disorders in adolescents can sometimes resemble OCD because both conditions may involve rigid thoughts, rituals, and compulsive behaviours. In eating disorders, these behaviours might appear around food, exercise, and body image—such as strict eating routines, obsessive calorie counting, or compulsive exercise. Adolescents may feel driven to complete these rituals to reduce anxiety, which is also common in OCD. This overlap can make it difficult to distinguish between the two conditions, especially as both can include intrusive thoughts and perfectionistic tendencies.
May appear to be a GI issue or IBS
Eating disorders in adolescents can often be mistaken for IBS or other gastrointestinal (GI) issues due to overlapping symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and nausea. When an adolescent restricts food or engages in disordered eating patterns, it disrupts digestion, alters gut motility, and can lead to discomfort and nutrient deficiencies—all of which mimic GI conditions. Additionally, the stress and anxiety tied to eating disorders can amplify GI symptoms, making it challenging to differentiate between GI disorders and underlying disordered eating behaviours. (To read about this in more detail, check out the blog we did HERE )
Professional is not trained in eating disorders
According to studies, medical students receive LESS THAN TWO HOURS of training in ED during their 4-6 years of schooling. This means many healthcare providers are not aware of what to look for, which can lead to a misdiagnosis, or lack of appropriate concern. (SOURCE)
Confused for food allergies
Eating disorders in adolescents can sometimes be mistaken for food allergies because both can involve symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, and nausea after eating certain foods. Adolescents with eating disorders may avoid specific foods, attributing discomfort to supposed intolerances or allergies, when, in reality, the symptoms stem from restrictive eating patterns, nutrient deficiencies, or anxiety around food. This can lead parents and doctors to suspect allergies or intolerances instead of underlying disordered eating, especially when the young person firmly believes certain foods are causing harm.
Behaviours are not obvious
Eating disorder behaviours in adolescents can be subtle and easy to overlook. Often, they appear as small changes, such as avoiding certain foods, claiming fullness quickly, or showing increased interest in nutrition and exercise. These behaviours can blend into typical teenage habits or preferences, especially as adolescents gain independence in their choices. Additionally, adolescents may hide their behaviours or explain them away as health-conscious choices, making it hard for parents and caregivers to see the underlying struggle until symptoms become more severe.
“Normal” or above weight - the person does not “look” sick
Eating disorders in teens with normal to overweight body sizes can be harder to detect because we often associate eating disorders with being underweight. This misconception can mask symptoms in teens who are at a “healthy” weight or higher.
High functioning
When a teenager is high-functioning at school or in sports, signs of an eating disorder may be easily missed because they seem to be thriving in other areas. Their strong academic or athletic performance can mask underlying struggles with food and body image, and their self-discipline can make disordered behaviors appear as dedication or motivation. Often, these teens may also downplay their struggles, making it hard for others to recognize the issue until it becomes more severe.
Looks like healthy lifestyle changes
Some teens may receive praise for weight loss, or changes in their eating patterns such as becoming vegetarian or vegan, masking the disordered eating behaviours that led to it. This can delay both diagnosis and treatment, as the outward appearance doesn’t always match the severity of the internal struggle.
The person with an eating disorder does not know they have an eating disorder, or are in denial/experiencing agnosia
One of the most difficult symptoms of malnutrition (as a result of a restrictive ED) is the person's lack of belief that they are unwell. Anorexia can lead to anosognosia, which is a lack of awareness of one’s own illness. This means the person will adamantly deny that there is a problem, or that they are struggling. (Tabitha Farrar writes an excellent and informative blog on this topic, you can check it out HERE)
If you have noticed some signs, and wondering what to do next, take a look at some of the books and resources we have created for parents.
EARLY SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS DEVELOPING AN EATING DISORDER
Changes in Eating Habits
Your child may start refusing certain foods, claiming they “aren’t hungry” at meal times, or skipping meals. This can be gradual, with initially small restrictions that become more routine. We also see many teens (particularly females) who decide to become vegetarian or vegan. While this does not guarantee an eating disorder is developing, many of the adolescents we work with will eventually admit that they made this choice because it gave them a valid reason not to eat certain things, avoid certain scenarios, or be in complete control of their own food preparation. You may notice that your child has become more interested in diets or “health”, and start to exhibit fear around what certain foods will do to their health or body. Another subtle sign is an increase in “food play”. You may notice that food is cut into exceptionally small pieces, smeared around the plate, picked at, and takes a very long time to finish.
Hiding, Hoarding, or Lying About Food
You may notice your child is eating in secret, hiding food in their room (or other places outside of typical food spaces), and trying to hide the evidence. You may also notice that your child is lying about how much, or when they have eaten.
Fixation on Food and Weight
Increased concern about calories, weight, or body shape. They may frequently weigh themselves, calculate calories, or talk excessively about nutrition or dieting. Another early warning sign is noticing that your child starts to compare their body to others, and become more self conscious about their body and/or shape.
Social Withdrawal
They may avoid family meals or gatherings, claiming other commitments or preferring to eat alone. This can be a way to control what and how much they eat without others noticing. Many people struggle with a lot of guilt, shame and embarrassment about food, and avoiding social food occasions allows some relief from these emotions. Your child may also find ways to avoid eating at home, such as getting a job or signing up for a class that gives them a valid reason not to eat with the family at home.
Mood Changes
Watch for increased irritability, anxiety, or emotional withdrawal, particularly around food. They may become defensive or anxious when mealtimes or eating habits are mentioned.
Increased Exercise
Compulsive exercising, even when tired, injured, or unwell, can be a coping mechanism. This often includes strict workout routines that are hard for them to skip without feeling guilt or stress. This can sometimes go unnoticed, as it may initially appear as “healthy lifestyle changes”.
Irregular or Absence of Menstrual Cycles
The absence of a menstrual cycle for three or more months can be an indicator of eating disorder.
Noticeable Changes in Weight
If your child has deviated from their typical growth curve, whether weight gain or weight loss, this could be an early sign that an eating disorder is developing.
Eating By Proxy
People with eating disorders are actually obsessed with food, and will often spend an inordinate amount of time involved with food but not eating it. They may love to bake and feed others, consume cooking shows and obsessively read recipe books. This can be an attempt to “eat” without actually having to consume the food.
As we see, there are many reasons an eating disorder can go unnoticed, and a variety of subtle to obvious signs and symptoms that may indicate an eating disorder is developing, or, that an eating disorder is already present.
If you're wondering, or have a feeling something is not right, trust your instinct. This is not a time to “wait and see” if you’re right, as early intervention has been shown to increase the probability of full, long term recovery.
Talk to an Eating Disorder professional, and learn how to navigate the journey to recovery with confidence. Our Center offers many different levels of support, including our 12 week Parent 1:1 Program, our Youth Intensive Recovery Program, Meal Support and more.