Recognizing Teen Eating Disorders: Signs of Eating Disorders in Teens
When it comes to eating disorders, prevention and early intervention is key,
The therapists at Reclaim therapy specialize in providing eating disorder therapy in Pennsylvania.
we want to empower parents with knowledge, so you know what to look for when it comes to concerns about your teen’s relationship with food and their body.
ating disorders occur across the lifespan in all body types. And, we know that teens, adolescents, and young adults are at significant risk for developing eating disorders. Research has shown that the average onset of an eating disorder is between the ages of 13-18 and that eating disorders occur in close to 3% of teens in that age range, which is higher than in the general population.
There are many nuanced reasons for this including puberty, bullying, social media exposure, social media use, your family’s relationship with, and beliefs about, food and body, genetic predisposition, athletics, and feeling overweight.
Understanding Body Image and Risk Factors in Teens
Sometimes my heart just aches when I think about how our precious teens see themselves. Body image... it's such a tender thing, isn't it? The way our kids view their bodies can either lift them up or tear them down, and when those thoughts turn dark, eating disorders can creep in like shadows. When our young ones struggle with how they see themselves, their little hearts can break under the weight of low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. And that's when the enemy whispers lies about anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. These aren't just words—they're battles our teens face, and they can steal so much from their bodies and souls if we don't step in with love and truth.
It breaks my heart how it often starts—this innocent desire to change their bodies, maybe lose some weight. Social media feeds them lies about what they should look like, and suddenly our beautiful children start restricting food, bingeing in secret, or trying dangerous ways to control their weight.
There are things that make our kids more vulnerable, and it's heavy to think about. Sometimes it runs in families—eating disorders, anxiety, depression, those obsessive thoughts that won't let go. When our teens are in gymnastics, dance, or wrestling, there's this extra pressure to be thin, to fit a certain mold. And don't get me started on those diet supplements and weight loss products that promise quick fixes but deliver heartbreak. It's like the world is conspiring against our children's peace of mind, and we've got to be their shield.
When our teens start changing how they eat, losing weight too fast, or becoming obsessed with food and exercise, our mama hearts should be on high alert. Sometimes they pull away from family dinners, become secretive about meals, or create rigid rules that steal their joy. These aren't just phases—they're cries for help, and recognizing them early is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.
Healing our teens from eating disorders... it's not a solo journey. It takes a village. Working with counselors, doctors, and nutritionists who understand adolescent hearts can help our kids find their way back to healthy eating, self-love, and strength against the world. It's a battle, but we're not fighting alone.
As parents, we hold such power in our hands and words. We can create homes where food is a gift, not an enemy, where bodies are celebrated, not criticized. When we talk openly about eating without shame, avoid harsh rules or negative talk about weight, and show them what healthy looks like through our own lives, we're building fortresses around their hearts. If you see those warning signs creeping in, don't wait—reach out for help. Early intervention is a gift that keeps on giving.
Here are some common, and not so common, symptoms of an eating disorder in teens to keep an eye out for:
Lack of growth in a growing child according to the child’s growth curve, or lack of weight gain
Refusal to eat certain food groups, refusal to eat at meal times, sudden changes to eat “healthier” or requests to overhaul their diet to be vegan or vegetarian.
Engaging in excessive or rigid movement practices
Increased interest in cooking shows, nutrition labels or interest in cooking meals for others- people of all ages who are not eating enough might replace eating with other food-focused activities
Disappearing after meals- this is common in teens who are engaging in purging behaviors
Body insecurity and body comparisons
Wearing baggy clothes- often to disguise weight loss
Avoiding eating in public or in groups
Hiding food in their bedroom, sneaking food, or stashing/hiding wrappers or boxes of food
Loss or delay of a menstrual cycle
Tracking the food that they eat
Physical symptoms such as irregular heart rhythms, dehydration, skin changes, or hair loss
It is important to note that not all teens with eating disorders are visibly underweight. Early signs of eating disorders can be subtle and may not always include dramatic changes in appearance.
Research has shown that children with a high number of eating disorder symptoms at the age of 9 also had a high number of symptoms at 12. In this particular study these symptoms included restriction of food, binge eating, feelings of shame or anxiety about body changes and purging. Regular episodes of disordered eating behaviors can persist without timely intervention.
The research also cited 3 major symptoms that parents should keep an eye out for including teens who are dissatisfied with their bodies, girls with depressive symptoms and symptoms of disordered eating cited above. This to say, without intervention, eating disorder symptoms will likely continue throughout the teen years.
Research has also shown that if a teen receives treatment within the first 3 years of the onset of an eating disorder they have a much greater chance for recovery. For example, one study showed that patients receiving treatment for bulimia within the first few years of onset had a recovery rate of 80%, while those who waited 15 years after onset experienced recovery at a rate of 20%.
Again, prevention and early intervention is key to helping our kids live big, full lives, free from obsession with food and weight. We provide eating disorder therapy in Pennsylvania for both teens and adults.
We want parents to know that you are not to blame if your teen is exhibiting signs of an eating disorder. If you see red flags that your teen is having a hard time with food or their body image, it is important to share your concerns with your pediatrician or seek help from an eating disorder specialist.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you are in need support for yourself or your teen.
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Here at Reclaim Therapy we provide specialized eating disorder therapy in Pennsylvania.
We’re a group of trauma therapists committed to the prevention and specialized treatment of body image and disordered eating. We believe that knowledge is power and that eating intuitively and becoming body compassionate is something that we are all worthy of.