Not just a teenage problem
Regulating your eating is often about gaining a sense of control, and eating disorders thrive on secrecy, shame and stigma. Added to that, younger children may not have the vocabulary to express their worries, or may not know that their behaviour around food is problematic. The warning signs can be subtle and our assumptions about the condition unhelpful — for instance, it's generally assumed that this is something that develops in adolescent girls.
Increasingly, boys are being diagnosed too. And the damage that can be inflicted on a body that's still growing is significant. Early recognition matters.
Increased risk
Some children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) can have issues around eating. Getting used to different foods and textures is 'one of the tasks of developmental learning,' says Dr Dasha Nicholls, Clinical Reader in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Imperial College, in our film Understanding Eating Disorders. The way children interact with food can be about control and independence, frustration and fear. The difference between regular fussy eating and a disorder is when the physical and emotional health of the child is at risk.
As with other mental health challenges, early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference. The NHS acknowledges this, stating that it is vital children and young people with eating disorders, along with their families and carers, can access effective help quickly — and that offering high-quality care as soon as possible can improve recovery rates, reduce relapses, and limit the need for inpatient admissions.
Contrary to what many believe, weight loss won't be the first sign of a problem — that comes much later. The initial signs are behavioural. Watch out for rule-making around food and that most invidious of symptoms: secrecy. 'Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses, and accessing specialist help as soon as possible leads to the best chances of making a full recovery,' says Tom Quinn, Director of External Affairs at Beat Eating Disorders.
The longer an eating disorder goes untreated, the harder it is to reverse — which is why early intervention is so important.
Further information
- NHS advice for parents on eating disorders
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists overview for parents and carers
