Eating Disorders: Spotting the Signs in Teens

According to the NHS, 2.6% of 11-16 year olds and 12.5% of 17-18 year olds in England are living with an eating disorder. And the numbers seem to be rising.

Like with all mental health conditions, we know that early intervention is key. But how do you know if your teen is struggling with an eating disorder?

In an earlier Let’s all Talk Mental Health session, we were joined by Dr Bryony Bamford and Cliona Brennan from The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image, who shared some early signs to look out for.

🍴Secretive Behaviour: If your teen is suddenly secretive about their eating habits or you notice food disappearing, they might be eating in secret.

🍴Mood Swings: Unexplained mood swings or irritability can be linked to changes in eating behaviour.

🍴Social Withdrawal: Avoiding social situations, especially those involving food.

🍴Weight Fluctuations: Sudden weight loss or gain (but remember that eating disorders are not always visible through weight changes).

🍴Changes in Eating Patterns: Skipping meals, cutting out entire food groups, or expressing guilt after eating.

🍴Preoccupation with Food: Obsessively reading food labels, counting calories or having an intense interest in cooking food but not always eating it

🍴Increased Sensitivity: A heightened sensitivity to comments or jokes about body shape, weight, or eating can indicate body image concerns.

🍴Low Self-Esteem: Frequent negative comments about their body or appearance could suggest self-esteem issues.

🍴School Difficulties: A sudden drop in grades or disinterest in schoolwork can be related to the mental strain of an eating disorder.

🍴Sports Performance: For teens involved in sports, a noticeable change in performance or activity levels could be linked to eating issues.

If you're worried about a teen and their eating habits and behaviours, please don't wait to get help.

You can access all of our past sessions, including this one, on our online hub. Register here or log in now.