Watch out for these silent signs of eating disorder in children
Most children are fussy eaters. This habit, which generally stems from an aversion to certain textures or tastes, and irregular routines, goes away with age. However, when pre-teens and teenagers exhibit similar eating behaviour, it can be a serious cause of concern. Today’s youngsters are obsessed with unrealistic notions and standards of beauty, thanks to advertisements, movies, and a barrage of content circulating on the internet regarding ideal body. In many cases, this hang-up leads to eating disorder, a mental health condition common among teenagers these days.
TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorder is an umbrella term for a group of complex mental health conditions that can seriously impair health and social functioning. It leads to unhealthy food habits, obsession with body weight and shape. The symptoms include severe restriction of food, binge eating, over-exercising among others. There are various types of eating disorder. The common ones include:
Binge Eating: In this condition, people periodically indulge in heavy eating and are unable to control portions. They feel guilty or ashamed about their eating behaviour.
Anorexia Nervosa: This eating disorder triggers an intense fear of becoming fat. Even thin people with anorexia nervosa experience this and indulge in extreme food restriction.
Bulimia Nervosa: This disorder is characterized by a cycle of binge eating and purging. A person indulges in an episode of over eating which follows remorse and insecurity about gaining weight. Consequentially, he or she resorts to forcing the consumed food out of the body by inducing vomiting or ingesting laxatives.
SPOTTING EATING DISORDER
This condition manifests through a wide-ranging variety of symptoms. Eating disorders are usually self-diagnosable and need professional help for recovery in severe cases. Here is a low-down on the warning signs.
Noticeable change in eating patterns
One of the very first manifestations of an eating disorder is a change is dietary habit. If your child switches to a different type of eating pattern, exhibits a sudden curiosity about veganism or aversion to certain types of food, it is possible that she believes such diet can help her lose weight.
Abnormal changes in body weight
Children It is normal for children to gain weight as part of their development process. However, under normal circumstances, there is a predictable pattern of gaining kilos. But if you notice an unusual weight change in your youngster, both in terms of gain and loss, it may be a sign a sign of eating disorder.
Avoiding family meals
Family meals establish a routine of healthy eating habits in children. If your kid persistently refuses to eat with the family, insists on eating out frequently, or loses interest in a previously enjoyed food, it may be cause for concern. Other signs include excessive or abnormal concern about meal preparation, constituents of the food and portion sizes.
Puberty issues and irregular menstruation in women
These can be a potential sign of an eating order. In women, absence of a menstrual cycle for three months or more is an indicator of this condition.
Hoarding and hiding food
Children suffering from binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa tend to hide food in their rooms or other places. There is a feeling of shame and guilt that they associate with binge eating episodes. Hence, they often eat secretly. Such behaviour is an alarming cause of concern and should be addressed with great patience and care.
Sudden increase in physical activities
Regular exercise and the habit of staying active through the day is healthy. However, over exercising or preoccupation with workouts can be a sign of eating disorder. While kids with anorexia aim to control weight by working out excessively, this is a form of compensation for binge eaters.