4 Signs Of Eating Disorders In Your Child To Pay Attention To At Meal Times

Presented by BetterHelp.

You may think seeing the signs of an eating disorder in your child would be simple— but with how busy our lives get, it can be quite easy to miss the signs. Here are a few symptoms you should look out for around dinner time that may signal your child is struggling with an eating disorder:

1. A Sudden Change In Taste

If your child is suddenly no longer interested in their favourite comfort foods or fun, new recipes— something deeper might be going on. On their own, different preferences and tastes may mean nothing at all. However, if it’s paired with other changes in behavior, it’s worth digging a little deeper into what’s caused this switch. An eating disorder may be at play.

2. Reduced Portions

Restricting calories is a common sign of anorexia nervosa disorder. According to BetterHelp, nearly one percent of American women will develop anorexia at some point in their life. Paying attention to a change in the amount your child serves themselves at mealtimes can help you to better detect an eating disorder at play. BetterHelp has some great articles to check out so you can learn more about anorexia and other eating disorders.

3. Appearing To Eat, Without Actually Eating

While tracking how much food your child puts on their plate may help you see the signs of an eating disorder— it’s also important to play close attention to how much your child is actually eating. Your child may cut food into tiny pieces, move food around the plate, or take a long time to eat to give the impression that they are eating, when they may have hardly eaten anything at all. Your child may also drink more water while at the table, even though they have barely touched their food. They may use this strategy to help them feel less hungry.

4. A Decreased Presence At Mealtimes

Your child showing up late, leaving early, or not attending family meals at all could be a sign of an eating disorder. Especially if your child is telling you they have already eaten or if they head straight to the bathroom after a meal. This likely isn’t something to worry about if it’s sporadic, however, if these behaviors become more commonplace— it could be a sign of a larger issue.

Next Steps To Take

It’s important to talk to your child calmly about your concerns. They may not even recognize these actions are unhealthy and potentially dangerous. Explain to them why you are worried and the consequences of eating disorders. Your child likely won’t tell you they have an eating disorder right away, or even recognize it in themselves. However, it’s important you open the door to conversation and let them know you are available to talk non-judgmentally when they are ready. If the behavior continues or gets worse, it may be time to reach out for professional help.