Signs Your Teenage Daughter May Have an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders can be deeply challenging, often taking root during adolescence, a time when young people navigate physical changes, emotional ups and downs, and social pressures. For many teenagers, this is an especially vulnerable time. Young teenagers (both girls and boys) can be influenced by societal appearance ideals, hormonal shifts, and the search for their own identity. As parents, it’s natural to feel worried or concerned, but recognising the early signs of a potential eating disorder can make a difference. By approaching the situation with awareness, care, and understanding, you can help your child navigate these difficult times and find the support needed to heal and regain confidence.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are more than just unhealthy eating habits. They are complex conditions involving physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. These disorders often stem from a difficult relationship with food, body image, and self-worth.

Common Types of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can take different forms, and understanding their unique characteristics is an important step in recognising potential patterns.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is marked by severe food restriction (eating very little) due to an intense fear of gaining weight. Often accompanied by a distorted body image, individuals with anorexia may become dangerously underweight.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia involves a cycle of binge eating followed by behaviors used to compensate for the food consumed during a binge. These behaviors can include vomiting, fasting, using laxatives or diet pills, or excessive exercise. This disorder can be harder to detect, as individuals with bulimia may not be underweight. Unlike anorexia, a person with bulimia may not “look” unwell.

Binge Eating Disorder

Like bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder involves regular episodes of binge eating. However, unlike bulimia, individuals with binge eating disorder do not compensate for the food consumed during their binges. Those with this disorder often experience significant guilt, shame, and distress over their eating behavior.

Orthorexia

Orthorexia is not a formal diagnosis but is widely recognised as a form of anorexia nervosa or OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder). It involves an obsession with eating "pure" or "healthy" foods. This obsession takes priority over other aspects of life, such as socialising, relationships, or hobbies. Any deviation from eating "allowed" foods typically triggers intense anxiety, guilt, and distress. You can find more information about orthorexia [here].

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

A person with ARFID will severely limit the amount of food they are willing to eat, often resulting in significant nutritional deficiencies or low weight.  However, the reasons for them restricting their food intake is NOT due to a desire to lose weight or related to a dissatisfaction in body image.  A person with ARFID may avoid eating certain foods due to sensory sensitivities, a fear of aversive consequences such as choking or vomiting, or a general lack of interest in food and distortion in physical sensations of hunger or fullness. 

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Body Dysmorphia, formally known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), is not an eating disorder, however it may be co-morbid to an eating disorder, or sometimes confused with an eating disorder.  BDD is characterised by an obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws or defects in one’s physical appearance. These flaws are often minor or not visible to others, but they cause significant emotional distress and can severely impact daily life.

Warning Signs That Your Child May Have an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders can be extremely hard to detect, not least because they are often highly secretive. Young people will frequently try to hide their eating disorder behaviours, partly due to shame or embarrassment, and partly because they may fear being forced to give them up. Eating disorders are one of the few mental health conditions that are often valued by the individual. The secretive and valued nature of eating disorders makes them especially difficult to identify and treat. However, there are a number of physical, emotional, and social changes that may indicate the presence of an eating disorder.

Physical Changes

Changes in Weight and Appearance

Not all eating disorders are associated with weight changes, and it is important not to dismiss the possibility of an eating disorder just because someone doesn’t “look” unwell. However, some eating disorders—particularly anorexia nervosa—are associated with changes in weight. Unexplained weight loss, frequent fluctuations in weight, or an increased preoccupation with weight may signal a problem. 

Health Complications

Eating disorders often result in physical health problems. While many of these may not be obvious without medical checks, some may be noticeable. Dry skin, thinning hair, dental problems, gastric discomfort, and fatigue can all result from changes in eating habits and may all be noticeable to a parent.

Amenorrhea

In girls, the loss of menstruation (amenorrhea) is often—though not always—a consequence of an eating disorder.  If your teen mentions missing a menstrual period, a change in their diet could be a reason for this.

Behavioral Changes

Changes in Eating Habits

Sudden and sustained dietary restrictions such as refusal to eat certain food groups, avoiding meals socially or with the family, skipping meals entirely, eating significantly less, or avoiding previously enjoyed foods can all indicate the onset or presence of an eating disorder.

Food Preoccupation

Though preoccupation itself may be hard to identify, indicators of thought preoccupation may include talking excessively about food or weight, asking a lot of questions about what is being cooked or served, regularly commenting on others' eating habits, or spending significant time looking at recipes, diets, or food-related content on TV or social media.

Secretive Eating

Binge eating is almost always carried out in secret due to the intense shame associated with it. However, there may be clues indicating bingeing, such as finding hidden food wrappers or noticing large amounts of food missing from the cupboards or fridge.

Compensatory Behaviors

Compensatory behaviors, such as purging or excessive exercise may also be hidden from parents.  Sudden changes in exercise levels or noticing that your child spends a long time in the bathroom after meals may suggest that they are engaging in compensatory behaviours.  

Emotional, Social, and Psychological Changes

The emotional toll of eating disorders is profound and often visible through changes in mood or personality.

Increased Anxiety or Depression

Mood disorders like anxiety or depression often co-occur with eating disorders. Your daughter may seem withdrawn, irritable, or overwhelmed. Intense mood swings or a sense of being “cut off” from others can be noticeable. Intense emotions may be particularly apparent around meal times, and you may notice an increase in tension or arguments before, during or after eating.

Social Withdrawal

Many teens with eating disorders begin to lose interest in previously enjoyed activities. They may start to isolate themselves or decline social events they previously wouldn’t have missed. This could be due to low mood or anxiety, or because these events involve food, and they don’t feel able to partake in social eating.

Psychological Changes

Eating disorders almost always stem from a psychological difficulty but also exacerbate and sometimes contribute to psychological challenges. Low self-esteem, perfectionism, fear of failure, reduced confidence, and a fear of losing control can all be associated with eating disorders.

Body Dysmorphia and Negative Self-Image

Though eating disorders aren’t always about weight, poor body image and a desire to change one’s appearance are often present. If you notice your teen speaking negatively about their body, expressing dissatisfaction with their appearance or weight, or appearing preoccupied with their looks, this could indicate that they are at risk of developing an eating disorder.

Why Teens Are Especially Vulnerable to Eating Disorders

The teenage years are a time of rapid change, bringing unique pressures that increase the risk of developing eating disorders. Academic pressure, hormonal shifts, increasing social awareness, and the development of identity all combine to make this an exceptionally challenging time. Eating disorders may be perceived by your teen as a "solution" to these difficulties, offering a sense of control, achievement, or emotional numbing.  In a culture that glorifies dieting, thinness, and beauty, adolescents are especially vulnerable to disordered eating.

How to Approach a Teen About Suspected Eating Disorders

Many parents struggle with how to approach their child about suspected eating difficulties.  It is important to pick the right time to broach these conversations, when emotions aren’t running high and you're not short on time.  It is essential to remain calm, compassionate and non judgemental.   Start by expressing that you’re worried about their health and well-being, rather than focusing on appearance or behaviours. Make it clear that you are there to support, not to criticise and ask them if there is anything they are concerned about or need your support with.  

When and How to Seek Professional Help

It’s hard to watch your child struggle, and even harder to know when to step in. But seeking help early can be life-changing. If you notice ongoing changes or concerning signs that don’t seem to improve, trust your instincts and reach out to a healthcare professional. Parents often know their child best, so it’s important not to ignore your gut feelings. Early intervention can provide the best chance for recovery, so seeking advice sooner rather than later is crucial.

Eating disorders are serious conditions affecting an alarmingly high number of people. It’s essential to remember that they require not only empathy and understanding but also specialised knowledge to treat effectively. At The London Centre, we understand how complex eating disorders are. If you're a parent seeking further support, feel free to contact us at info@thelondoncentre.co.uk, and we’ll be happy to help.

Link to ‘Signs your teenage son may have an eating disorder’