Children with eating disorders often worry about their appearance, avoid eating with their family, hide food, have mood changes, and exhibit unusual behavior.
Academic pressure and expectations from family can affect children’s eating habits. Changes in nutritional behavior are signs of eating disorders. Early recognition helps parents intervene promptly and prevent malnutrition and rickets.
Extreme in eating habits
Children with eating disorders often skip meals, eat less or avoid certain foods for unknown reasons. Some children even lie about eating, just move food on the plate, hide food, secretly throw it away, or pretend to eat to avoid being asked. These behaviors indicate that children are feeling anxious, self-conscious, or confused about food and their weight. Parents should calm down, talk and find out how their children feel during meals to promptly provide support.
Worry about weight
Children often mention that they are fat, look in the mirror to see their appearance, and pay too much attention to calories or diets. Statements like “you need to be thinner” or “you shouldn’t eat this” can be an early warning. Instead of denying, parents should encourage children to share reasons and remind them of the importance of health.
Signs of physical abnormalities
Children who lose weight quickly, are pale, tired, or have thinning hair may not be getting enough nutrition. These physical manifestations often appear later than abnormal eating behaviors, so parents often realize when the problem has existed for a while.
Changes in mood and emotions
Emotional changes are early signs of an eating disorder, such as children becoming unusually quiet, irritable, or avoiding participating in social activities. Instead of scolding or pressuring, parents should gently talk, listen patiently and let children know that they will not be judged.
General recommendations for parents: Create a fun meal atmosphere, diversify dishes, let children participate in meal preparation, maintain a fixed meal schedule, limit junk food and set a good example in eating habits. A gentle, patient approach helps children gradually adjust their behavior and maintain proper nutrition.