What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are mental health concerns that impact the way people think about food and their bodies. Eating disorders can cause changes in the ways kids and teens eat, resulting in problems with their daily life.
What are symptoms of an eating disorder?
Symptoms of eating disorders vary depending on the type of eating disorder. People with eating disorders may:
- Eat much less because they intensely fear gaining weight
- Eat much more food than normal and feel out of control during eating
- Eat a very limited diet (for example, eating only certain foods)
- Worry a lot about their body size and appearance
- Obsess over calories, portions, and gaining weight
- Avoid activities that involve food or eat in secret
- Exercise too much to avoid gaining weight
- Avoid preferred activities that may include foods they feel are unhealthy
- Try to “get rid of” calories and food after eating more than usual
- Avoid foods out of fear of vomiting, choking, or contamination
- Fail to grow or gain weight as expected
What kinds of eating disorders are there?
Common eating disorders include:
Anorexia
This is when someone drastically limits the amount of food they eat due to body image issues or a fear of gaining weight
Bulimia
Where someone eats large portions of food and feels out of control, then tries to compensate for the food they ate (e.g., by intentionally vomiting).
Binge Eating Disorder
When someone eats large portions of food and feels out of control but does not engage in behaviors to compensate.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
When someone severely limits the type or amount of food they eat due to specific fears or worries (e.g., fear of vomiting, choking, contamination)