Summer can be a vulnerable time for children and teens for disordered eating. From increased screen time on social media, to insecurities popping up with swimwear, to eating out on vacations trying new foods – it can set the stage for disordered eating to slip in.

Eating disorders and disordered eating are complex issues and are multifactorial, meaning they develop for many reasons. No one person, one food experience, or one comment can cause an eating disorder. And because eating disorders develop for several reasons, there are an abundance of opportunities to intervene and pursue early treatment, or even better prevention.

Warning Signs for Adolescent Disordered Eating

• Increased awareness and interest in looking at nutrition facts labels
• At restaurants, starts requesting to split meals, order off the ‘healthy’ menus, or noticeably starts eating less of their meals consistently
• No longer requests spontaneous food like FroYo, candy at the movie theatre, a milk shake at the drive-thru, snacks at sporting games
• Complaining of fullness or hunger, when maybe they haven’t eaten enough or they are plenty fed
• Increased interest in making ‘healthy’ versions of recipes or over eating vegetables
• Food that disappears very, very fast alongside wrappers hidden throughout the home
• Apparent distress, anger, and outbursts when plans change related to food
• Vocalizing they wish they looked like someone else, comparison to friends’ bodies, or that they dislike their own body
• Increased time spent moving outside of normal – doubling up on workouts, taking the dog on numerous walks per day, exercising in secret in their bedroom
• Cutting out food groups entirely, researching food intolerances and sensitivities
• Mentioning fear of getting sick, increased concerns about food safety

When Should My Child or Teen See an Eating Disorder Dietitian?

If you find yourself genuinely curious if you’re child should see an eating disorder dietitian, I would recommend pursuing an initial appointment. At Meant To Eat Nutrition Counseling, our dietitians are skilled and meet families where they are at. We seek to provide compassionate, curious care and really understand your child or teen’s relationship with food. At any spot on the disordered eating to eating disorders spectrum, we can provide evidence-based interventions to protect and care for your child. Early intervention is always best.

Schedule an appointment ASAP if your child or teen has…

• Experienced weight changes that do not align with their normal growth curve
• Started to skip meals, snacks, and/or has recently cut out food groups
• Reports feelings of tiredness, dizziness, fainting, nausea, or lack of appetite
• Engaged in more negative body talk, body checking, body comparison, or body hatred
• Counting calories or researching nutrition or food heavily

Scheduling an appointment could be beneficial if your child or teen has…

• Expressed interest in dieting or changing the way they eat
• Attempted to hide or sneak food
• Vocalized concerns about their growth, nutrition, or body image
• Interested in knowing what to eat and how to take care of their bodies

We are here for you and your family. Please reach out to schedule a free 15 min discovery call or to inquire about resources we recommend for parents!