--- title: 'Understanding Eating Disorders in Children' url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/understanding-eating-disorders' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/understanding-eating-disorders.md' date: '2025-05-24' description: 'Eating Disorders in Children Eating disorders in children are serious mental health conditions characterized by unhealthy eating behaviors, distorted body image, and extreme concerns about weight or food. While often associated with adolescents and adults, these disorders—including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)—can affect children as young as six, with potentially severe physical and emotional consequences. Early recognition and intervention are crucial, as childhood eating disorders can disrupt growth, development, and overall well-being. Increasing awareness of risk factors, such as societal pressures, genetic predisposition, and psychological triggers, is essential to support affected children and their families.' taxonomy: category: - 'Mental Health' tag: - Anxiety - 'Eating Disorders' type: - Video contributor: - 'Professor Dasha Nicholls' - 'Kate Kinninmont' - 'Daniela Cesarei' partner: - 'Imperial College London' --- # Understanding Disordered Eating in Children [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ Eating Disorders ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Eating%20Disorders) [ ![Nip in the Bud](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/themes/nitb/images/logos/round-logo.png) ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us "About Nip in the Bud") ![Professor Dasha Nicholls](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/06.about-us/02.authors-and-experts/professor-dasha-nicholls/professor-dasha-nicholls.jpg) Speaker [Professor Dasha Nicholls](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/authors-and-experts/professor-dasha-nicholls)expert Duration: 0h 8m 30s Published: December 2021 Produced and Directed by: [Kate Kinninmont](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/authors-and-experts/kate-kinninmont) #### Warning: Please note – some images and content may be upsetting or disturbing. This film is not intended to be watched by children ## Eating Disorders in Children Eating disorders in children are serious mental health conditions characterized by unhealthy eating behaviors, distorted body image, and extreme concerns about weight or food. While often associated with adolescents and adults, these disorders—including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)—can affect children as young as six, with potentially severe physical and emotional consequences. Early recognition and intervention are crucial, as childhood eating disorders can disrupt growth, development, and overall well-being. Increasing awareness of risk factors, such as societal pressures, genetic predisposition, and psychological triggers, is essential to support affected children and their families. --- Was this helpful? 0 0 Share: [Next Post ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/boys-get-anorexia-too) #### Other Related Posts: ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/06.anxiety/managing-childrens-anxiety-about-coronavirus/anxiety-about-covid.jpg) ### Article: Managing children's anxiety about coronavirus [Article: Managing children's anxiety about coronavirus](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/anxiety/managing-childrens-anxiety-about-coronavirus) This article was posted at the height of the Covid pandemic but still has useful tips for helping children cope with the anxiety that global health events… [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/06.anxiety/anxiety-tips-for-teachers/anxiety-tipsforteachers.jpg) ### Factsheet: Anxiety: Tips For Teachers [Factsheet: Anxiety: Tips For Teachers](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/anxiety/anxiety-tips-for-teachers) Learn how to recognise anxiety in children, understand common signs in the classroom, and discover practical strategies to help pupils feel calmer and… [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/04.school-life/practical-classroom-tips-for-neurodivergence-and-mental-health/OCDStill005.jpg) ### Factsheet: Practical classroom tips for neurodivergence and mental health [Factsheet: Practical classroom tips for neurodivergence and mental health](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/practical-classroom-tips-for-neurodivergence-and-mental-health) Here are some simple tips to help accommodate the different needs of children in the classroom [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Neurodivergence ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Neurodivergence) [ PTSD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:PTSD) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) [ ODD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ODD) [ Conduct Disorder ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Conduct%20Disorder) --- ## Navigation - Parent: [Eating Disorders](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/eating-disorders.md) - Previous: [Boys get Anorexia too](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/boys-get-anorexia-too.md)