Understanding how eating disorders affect teenagers

Teenagers often face pressure to meet societal expectations, whether related to their appearance, lifestyle, or body image. These pressures can contribute to the development of eating disorders among teens. Eating disorders often emerge during the teen years, though they can occur at any age. 

In fact, some research has shown that girls aged 6 to 10 worry about their weight. By age 14, up to 70% of girls try to lose weight. And about 8% of 15-year-old girls diet severely, which can increase their risk of developing an eating disorder by 18 times compared to those who don’t diet. While weight concerns can contribute to certain eating disorders, they are not the sole cause — eating disorders can also stem from emotional, psychological, or social factors. Around 3% of teens develop an eating disorder. 

If you’re worried that your teen may have an eating disorder, early treatment is key. With the support of loved ones and qualified professionals, your teen can recover from an eating disorder. 

Signs of eating disorders in teenagers

Certain eating disorders are more common in teenagers — including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive intake disorder (ARFID). If you suspect your teen might have one of these eating disorders, here are some common warning signs to watch out for: 

Anorexia nervosa

• Preoccupation with their weight or appearance
• Skipping meals or avoiding eating
• Restricting food intake
• Eating small portions of food
• Refusing to eat foods perceived as high in sugar, fat, or calories
• Engaging in excessive exercise
• Fearing weight gain 

Bulimia nervosa

• Eating larger-than-normal portions of food (binging) within a short time period
• Fasting 
• Purging food, like with vomiting or excessive exercise
• Hiding food to binge and purge it privately
• Experiencing significant distress related to appearance 
• Misusing diet pills or diuretics 

Binge eating disorder

• Eating larger-than-normal portions of food (binging) within a short time period 
• Eating even when feeling full or not physically hungry
• Eating quickly during binges
• Eating alone or in secret
• Experiencing significant distress including feeling depressed, guilty, disgusted, upset, or ashamed about eating habits

Avoidant/restrictive intake disorder (ARFID) 

• Avoiding foods that have a certain color, taste, texture, or smell
• Limiting food intake or avoiding certain types of food
• Lacking interest in food or eating
• Worrying that eating could lead to choking, vomiting, or other negative outcomes
• Feeling weak or dizzy due to inadequate nourishment

Recognizing these signs early on can help your teenager receive an accurate and faster eating disorder diagnosis. A healthcare provider, like a primary care doctor, or a mental health professional, like a therapist or psychiatrist, are usually involved in the diagnosis process. When diagnosing an eating disorder, they’ll typically consider your teen’s history, symptoms, thought patterns, and eating behaviors.

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What causes teens to develop eating disorders? 

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions. So, there isn’t one universal cause that will lead to developing one. But there are certain realities that can increase the chance that your teenager will develop an eating disorder. 

Here are some risk factors to be aware of: 

Unhealthy social media use 

Unhealthy social media use has been linked to negative mental health outcomes, including disordered eating and body image issues. Teens may be particularly vulnerable to these negative outcomes due to the high volume of idealized and curated content they encounter.

You might notice your teen using the latest Instagram filter or comparing their body to those of their peers, influencers, or celebrities. They might want to try the latest diet trend promoted on TikTok or Instagram, or scroll social media to learn how celebrities have altered their bodies. 

It’s essential to talk to your teen about the potential impacts of social media, help them understand the difference between real and altered images, and encourage them to unfollow accounts that contribute to feelings of insecurity or body dissatisfaction.

Negative body image

If your teen struggles with body image concerns, they may be at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. Social media can certainly contribute to your teen’s body image issues, but families can also influence how teens see their bodies. 

For instance, if a parent is constantly dieting or focusing on their own body flaws, teens might follow that example. On the other hand, parents can set a positive example by speaking positively about their own bodies or reminding teens that weight does not define self-worth. 

While you can’t cause your teen to develop an eating disorder, you can play an important role in their recovery and promoting a healthy body image. 

Control and perfectionism

Eating disorders are sometimes a way for teenagers to exert control over their lives. This can be especially true for young people who feel they don’t have much control, like with difficult family circumstances. 

Further, there’s a strong connection between eating disorders and perfectionism. A teen might set a weight loss goal and punish themselves if they don’t reach it, like with restricting what and how much they eat. 

Other factors to consider 

A variety of other risk factors can play a role in the development of an eating disorder.

• Genetics: If a teen has a first-degree relative with an eating disorder, like a parent or sibling, they can be up to 10 times more likely to develop one. 
• Being assigned female at birth: Girls are more than twice as likely to develop an eating disorder. However, experts are recognizing the existence of eating disorders among boys more.
• Gender and sexuality: Research shows there’s a higher prevalence of eating disorders among LGBTQ+ teens than their straight or cisgendered peers. 

How eating disorders can affect teens and their families

Eating disorders can have significant and potentially life-threatening impacts on teens’ physical, mental, and emotional health. As a parent, it  can be challenging to navigate, but you can support your teen through education and connecting them with essential resources. With the right support, many teens can recover from eating disorders and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. 

Here’s a breakdown of some of the different health consequences associated with eating disorders and teens:

Physical health

• Gastrointestinal effects, like acid reflux, nausea, and constipation
• Impacts to the reproductive system, like an irregular or interrupted menstrual cycle
• Changes to bone density, most commonly seen with anorexia nervosa 
• Cardiovascular issues, like arrhythmia or heart attacks
• Brain function impacts, like trouble with learning and increased impulsivity  

Emotional and mental health

• Mood swings and emotional instability
• Co-occurring mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety
• Loneliness and social isolation
• Suicidal thoughts and/or suicide*

*The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 confidential support through trained crisis counselors. If you or someone you care about is experiencing emotional distress, self-harm, or a suicidal crisis, please call or text 988. For life-threatening emergencies or immediate assistance, call 911. 

Your teen’s eating disorder can also affect the people around them, including you. It’s important to remember to take care of yourself too. Practicing self-care can help you stay healthy and better equipped to support your child.

Here are some self-care habits you can practice:

• Make time for your partner or children. Often when a child has an eating disorder, the family’s energy and time is focused solely on them. Spending quality time with your partner or other children, if you have them, can offer emotional relief. 
• Engage in hobbies. You may worry about your child a lot. But this can take a toll and, often, isn’t productive. Disconnecting from your worries temporarily with an activity you enjoy can provide you with needed relief. 
• Connect with parents who have a teen with an eating disorder. Parent support groups can help you feel less alone and offer a community of people who understand what you’re going through. 
• Talk with a therapist. You might also benefit from processing your feelings around your child’s eating disorder with a professional. This can provide a healthy outlet for difficult emotions and provide strategies to cope with the stress and anxiety that often come with caregiving. 

Seeking treatment for eating disorders in teens

Despite the severe health impacts of eating disorders, many teens with these conditions never receive specialized treatment. Tragically, eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental health disorder, with someone dying from an eating disorder every 52 minutes. This makes it even more crucial to access early and comprehensive support for your teen. With the right support, your teen can recover. 

There are several eating disorder treatments for teens, including: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT-ED): Since eating disorders are mental health conditions, the gold standard to treat them is often through talk therapy — specifically CBT-ED. With CBT-ED, a therapist can teach your child how to learn their untrue and unhelpful thought patterns and explore their relationship with food. Additionally, CBT-ED can help them dismantle negative body image issues and re-build their self-esteem. 
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT is another type of talk therapy that focuses on emotional regulation, which is often challenging for those with eating disorders. DBT helps teens manage their intense emotions and develop healthier ways of coping, which is crucial for the recovery process. 
• Nutritional education: While not therapy, nutritional education can be transformative when healing from eating disorders. A registered dietician can help your teen understand why eating healthily is crucial for their body. This can help create a new and positive relationship with food for your teen. 

Know that relapses can and do happen during eating disorder recovery. But your teen can get back on track. As a parent, you can be a steadfast source of support throughout their journey, reminding them of their progress and goals, while celebrating their wins. And with the additional guidance from a mental health professional, your teen can continue moving toward a healthier relationship with food and their body.

Find care with Rula

Eating disorders are challenging diagnoses for anyone at any age, but they often start during the teen years. If you’re worried that your teen is showing signs of an eating disorder, don’t hesitate to get help. Early detection and treatment is key — and you can play a pivotal role in connecting them with the right support and resources for lasting recovery. 

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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