6 Signs Your Child Might Have An Eating Disorder

6 Signs Your Child Might Have An Eating Disorder

Figure 1 Knowing the signs of an eating disorder can ensure that your child gets the help they need.

An eating disorder is a mental health issue that can have negative effects on our eating patterns and our body weight and it can cause a wide range of other health conditions. There are many physical, social and emotional consequences of eating disorders and it can affect adults, teens and even children. One of the main causes of eating disorders, especially in children is social pressure and wrong assumptions about physical appearance.

These can cause a child to drastically change their eating habits and begin showing some of the common signs of an eating disorder. Knowing just what these signs are is important as it will enable you to get your child the help they need, before their eating disorder becomes much worse.

Here are 6 signs that your child might have an eating disorder:

Cognitive Decline-

children spend a lot of time and effort on their education, at home and in their social environment. Children with eating disorders have problems concentrating and it is harder for them to memorise details and understand concepts. The most obvious sign of cognitive decline is that students will start to have poor grades at school.

Progressive Weight Loss-

children with eating disorders have a lower calorie intake and they don’t grow along with the normal growth standards. They refuse to eat and force themselves to have more physical activities as a way to avoid excess body weight.

Fear Of Being Overweight-

it is quite common for overweight children to get bullied at school and life can be very difficult for them. As a result, they become terrified if they gain just a couple of kilos of body weight, even though it’s part of their normal developmental growth.

Secretive And Distant-

an eating disorder could also indicate that children may have a more complex mental issue. Fear of bullying and criticism could cause children to become secretive and distant. They avoid social interaction with any group of students or people due to previous bad experiences.

Difficulty Sleeping-

weakness and lack of nutrition could cause restlessness and discomfort. This may cause an overall sleeping difficulty or even insomnia.

Digestion Problems-

a lack of food can increase the level of stomach acid, which will cause discomfort and pain. A reduced intake of dietary fibre can also cause constipation.

Contact Stepping Stones Clinic

To learn more about eating disorders in children, contact Stepping Stones Clinic today and speak to an expert who can answer your questions.

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to share it on your favourite social media sites.

 

Scroll to Top