Early Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder in Teens: What Parents Should Know
Sara Fruchter
Dr. Sara Fruchter is a staff psychologist at Gordon Therapy Group. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and eating disorders across the lifespan, and especially enjoys working with children, adolescents, and their families.
Sara Fruchter
Dr. Sara Fruchter is a staff psychologist at Gordon Therapy Group. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and eating disorders across the lifespan, and especially enjoys working with children, adolescents, and their families.
“What’s normal teen identity development and moodiness, and what’s something I should be worried about?”
“My teen wants to start taking Pilates classes with her friend. Is that her wanting to enjoy an exercise class, or does she want to lose weight?”
“My son is now drinking a protein shake every day and seems focused on going to the gym. Should I be worried?”
“My child is spending a lot of time in their room and seems preoccupied, distracted at mealtimes, and leaves a lot over on their plate. When I ask, they say they’re just tired or busy, and I can’t really tell what’s going on.”
Parents ask us questions like these a lot. It usually starts when they notice something different about how their teen is eating, exercising, feeling, or spending time with friends.
And a lot of that is just being a teenager. Bodies change, moods swing, friend groups shift, and not every change means something is wrong.
Here’s the hard part. Early eating disorder signs can look a lot like a kid who just wants to be fit and healthy, which most of us would cheer on.
Teens may also hide what they’re doing. Or they may not want help yet.
Knowing the early warning signs of an eating disorder in teens lets you notice the patterns that matter. You don’t have to treat every skipped breakfast as an emergency.
What Is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect eating behaviors and a person’s relationship with food and body image. They can involve:
- Restricting food intake, such as eating less, skipping meals, or avoiding certain foods.
- Binge eating, which involves eating unusually large quantities of food with a sense of loss of control and may occur in secret.
- Compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
For a lot of teens, self-worth gets tied up with weight and body image. Controlling food or exercise becomes a way to try to change their weight or shape.
It hurts, too. Guilt, shame, and anxiety around eating and body image are common.
It can get hard to focus at school, keep up with friends, or show up for social plans. In more severe cases, eating disorders can also lead to serious medical complications.
Eating disorders can affect people of any gender or body size. Your teen does not need to be underweight or to have lost a noticeable amount of weight to be struggling.
What Are the Early Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder in Teens?
Eating disorders do not show up overnight. Symptoms often start small and build over time.
That’s why the early signs matter. Spotting them helps you understand what your teen may be going through and get them the support they need.
Here are some common warning signs to watch for.
Changes in Eating Behaviors
- Skipping meals, eating less, or eating smaller portions.
- Avoiding foods they used to enjoy, or cutting out food groups.
- Rigid food rules, or getting more and more focused on “healthy” eating, calories, or ingredients.
- Eating larger amounts, or losing control while eating.
- Hiding food or eating in secret. You might find wrappers in a backpack or under the bed.
Emotional Changes
- More anxiety, irritability, or sadness in general.
- Guilt, shame, or distress after eating.
- More worry about food, weight, or body image.
Physical Changes
- Fatigue, dizziness, or feeling cold.
- Stomach and digestive complaints.
- Changes in weight, either loss or gain.
Social Changes
- Avoiding meals with family or friends.
- Pulling out of plans that involve food, like pizza after practice or a friend’s birthday dinner.
- Turning down invitations or spending more time alone in their room.
Other Behavioral Changes
- Exercising excessively, or feeling like they can’t skip a workout.
- Switching to looser, baggier clothes, if that’s new for them.
- Checking their body in the mirror a lot, or saying negative things about how they look.
- Spending a long time in the bathroom after meals.
So what does it mean if you’ve seen one of these? On its own, one time, not much.
Teens skip lunch. They try new workouts.
What matters more is the pattern. If the changes stick around, if you’re seeing several at once, or if your teen seems distressed, that’s when to look closer and get a professional opinion.
What to Do If You’re Concerned About Your Teen
Eating disorders look different in every teen. There’s no single warning sign or pattern that gives you the answer.
They’re also easy to miss in teens who aren’t at a low body weight or haven’t lost weight. So watch for the warning signs no matter what size your teen is, and whether or not their weight has changed.
If something seems off, think about an evaluation with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help teens work through upsetting thoughts and feelings about food and body image.
Family-Based Treatment (FBT) may be recommended when teens need their family’s support to eat more and gain weight.
If your teen’s weight has changed a lot, or you’re seeing physical symptoms that worry you, call their pediatrician to check on their physical health. With your consent, we can coordinate with your teen’s pediatrician as part of their care.
If there’s any concern for immediate safety, yours or your loved one’s, please contact your doctor, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or dial 911 now.
You don’t have to wait until things get severe to reach out. Getting support early can make a real difference.
Support for Teens and Families on the Upper West Side
At Gordon Therapy Group, our licensed clinical psychologists, including Dr. Fruchter, work with teens and their families using evidence-based CBT. We go at a pace that fits your family.
You can see us in person on the Upper West Side near the 1/2/3 and B/C trains. We also offer HIPAA-secure telehealth for residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Request an Appointment | Call (917) 972-5671
