Eating disorders in children are often accompanied by a wide variety of physical, behavioral and psychological warning signs. However, it’s important to understand that the presence of these symptoms in your child does not necessarily indicate an eating disorder. That said, here’s an overview of common eating disorder signs and symptoms organized by category.

Physical Eating Disorder Warning Signs

• Fainting, lightheadedness or dizziness that can’t be attributed to a known health problem or medication
• Sudden, dramatic weight-loss or constant changes in weight
• Unusual or chronic fatigue that hinders even the most basic activities
• Physical signs of self-induced vomiting, including calloused knuckles and tooth damage

Behavioral Eating Disorder Warning Signs

• Avoidance of food, frequent absence during meal time or strange excuses not to eat
• Fixation on dieting, calorie-counting or excessive exercising
• Sudden interest in meal planning, food preparation or new rituals surrounding eating
• Signs of self-induced vomiting like bathroom trips after (or during) meals
• Disappearance of large amounts of food from the fridge, pantry or cupboards
• Extreme interest in body shape/size, diet & exercise tips or viewing images of thin people
• Keeping secrets or not providing much detail about eating habits

Psychological Eating Disorder Warning Signs

• Distorted body image – claiming to be overweight when actually at a healthy weight or even underweight
• Depression and anxiety, especially around eating
• Wild fluctuations in mood or temperament
• Low self-esteem that is out of character for your child

Taken individually, observations like these may not be cause for alarm. On the other hand, if you see a combination of behavioral, physical and psychological eating disorder warning signs – exhibited consistently over time – it could be time to approach your child.