Understanding Eating Disorders in Children: A Guide for Parents and Educators

Supporting a child who may be struggling with eating concerns can be overwhelming and heartbreaking. You might have noticed them skipping meals, fixating on their body size, or engaging in extreme eating behaviors like compulsive dieting or binge eating. Unfortunately, eating disorders in children are becoming increasingly common, leaving parents and educators unsure of where to turn for help.

At Child Therapy Center LA, we see behaviors like these not as problems to "fix," but as signals from a child’s nervous system saying, “I’m overwhelmed, and I need support.” This perspective can help you better understand what’s going on and take compassionate, effective steps to help a child heal.

This guide is here to walk you through everything you need to know about eating disorders in children—from what they are to tips for recovery and prevention. Our goal? To make sure you feel supported and confident in tackling these challenges with care and kindness.

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect a child's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors around food and body image. They aren’t lifestyle choices or simple dieting gone too far. Rather, these disorders are rooted in a complex web of risk factors, including genetic, psychological, and social influences.

While eating disorders vary in form, they share one key characteristic: they take a tremendous toll on both a child’s physical health and emotional well-being. Here’s a breakdown of the most common eating disorders diagnosed in children:

Anorexia Nervosa

• Symptoms: Extreme restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image.

• Risks: Severe weight loss, growth delays, heart complications, and bone-density loss.

• Psychological Impact: Preoccupation with control and perfectionism, often linked to anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  
  

Bulimia Nervosa

• Symptoms: Cycles of binge eating followed by purging, often through vomiting or excessive use of laxatives.

• Risks: Acid reflux, tooth enamel decay, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances that can lead to heart issues.

• Psychological Impact: Shame and secrecy, often accompanied by depression or anxiety.

  
  

Binge Eating Disorder

• Symptoms: Repeated episodes of eating large quantities of food quickly, often without hunger and followed by guilt or distress.

• Risks: Unhealthy weight gain, digestive issues, and increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

• Psychological Impact: Emotional eating tied to stress, low self-esteem, or other mental health conditions.

  
  

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

• Explanation: Eating behaviors and symptoms that don’t fully align with the criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder but are still harmful and disruptive.

Each of these disorders is distinct, yet all of them can be serious. Early intervention is key to preventing life-threatening complications and fostering full recovery.

Risk Factors and Causes

Eating disorders don’t develop in isolation or as a matter of "willpower." They are influenced by a mix of underlying factors, many of which are beyond the child’s control. Here are the most significant contributors:

Genetic Factors

A family history of eating disorders or other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, can increase a child's vulnerability.

Psychological Factors

Children with low self-esteem, perfectionist tendencies, or anxiety-based disorders are particularly at risk. Conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often overlap with restrictive eating.

Social Factors

The intense pressure to conform to unrealistic body ideals, often amplified by social media, can lead children to unhealthy eating behaviors. Peer pressure and bullying around body size can also play a major role.

Lifestyle and Family Dynamics

A busy schedule can sometimes result in skipped meals, while stressful family dynamics may lead to a child using food as a form of control. The National Institute highlights how cultural attitudes toward food, dieting, and appearance contribute to these struggles.

Understanding these risk factors helps parents and educators better empathize with a child’s experience while steering them away from blame or guilt.

Spotting the Signs of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders often hide in plain sight, with children working hard to mask their struggles. But there are signs. Paying close attention to behavioral shifts, physical symptoms, and emotional changes can make early intervention much more effective.

Behavioral Signs

• Restrictive Eating: Cutting out certain foods or entire food groups.

• Binge Eating: Eating unusually large amounts of food in secret.

• Compulsive Exercise: Exercising excessively to "burn off calories."

• Secretive Eating Habits: Hiding food wrappers or avoiding family meals

  
  

Physical Symptoms

• Sudden weight gain or weight loss.

• Recurring digestive problems, such as acid reflux or constipation.

• Tooth enamel damage (due to purging).

• Fatigue and weakness affecting daily activities.

• For adolescents, menstrual irregularities.

  
  

Emotional Symptoms

• Frequent discussions about body image and weight.

• Extreme distress when eating certain foods.

• Social withdrawal from friends or family.

  
  

Why Early Intervention is Crucial

Left untreated, eating disorders can lead to serious complications, including:

• Nutritional Deficiencies hindering growth.

• Heart Problems, like arrhythmias from severe restriction or purging.

• Bone Density Loss, increasing the risk of fractures.

• Impact on brain development, especially in younger children.

Severe episodes can be life-threatening, reinforcing the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment Options for Eating Disorders

The good news? Recovery is absolutely possible.

Therapy as a Foundation

Therapy helps children explore the root causes of their eating behaviors. At Child Therapy Center LA, we prioritize:

• Individual Therapy to help children tune into their emotional and physical needs.

• Family Therapy to strengthen relationships and model healthier eating behaviors.

• Nervous System Education, which guides families to a whole-body approach to healing.

At CTC LA, we believe that the sensory system plays a critical role in eating disorders so our therapists are trained to help kids and teens identify the unique qualities of their sensory system. Using food as a way to cope (whether it’s binging or restricting) is the body’s way of protecting or regulating itself. This is why we find success with so many of our families… we don’t simply focus on changing the behavior (binging or restricting) we go to the ROOT of the issue, which is why their body is doing this in the first place. 

Nutrition Counseling

Food becomes a critical part of recovery. Nutrition counseling, often paired with therapy, helps children develop a healthier relationship with food.

Other Treatments

• Medication may assist if anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder are contributing factors.

• Support from Mental Health Professionals ensures personalized care throughout the recovery process.

Supporting a Loved One Through the Journey

If you know a child struggling with an eating disorder:

• Approach them with compassion, not judgment.

• Avoid comments about their body size or eating habits.

• Offer to help them find professional treatment.

• Stay involved in therapy as a family.

Prevention Strategies

While prevention isn’t always possible, there are steps you can take to create a healthy foundation:

• Promote Positive Body Image by celebrating things unrelated to appearance.

• Encourage Proper Nutrition without labeling foods as "good" or "bad."

• Be cautious of social factors, like idealized images on social media.

• Foster Open Communication where children feel safe sharing difficult feelings.

Where Compassion Meets Recovery

Eating disorders are serious, but with the right environment and support, children can regain their health, joy, and sense of self. At Child Therapy Center LA, we work closely with families to address the root causes of these struggles. Together, we ensure that healing is not just possible but sustainable.

Take the first step today by scheduling a free consultation. Your child’s resilience, paired with community support, is a powerful recipe for recovery.