It is very common for teenagers to struggle with their body image. The normal physical changes that take place during the teen years, combined with media images, peer pressure, and hormonal fluctuations, can often lead even the healthiest teen to feel unattractive.
But when does a natural desire to look and feel healthy turn dangerous? Most parents are aware of the typical signs of an eating disorder; it is easy to spot when their child’s body or eating habits change significantly. However, there are often more subtle signs of a problem that show up well before it is physically obvious.
Laure Ross is a therapist at Sierra Tucson, which specializes in behavioral healthcare. Ross explains that many of the more subtle signs are often mistaken for normal behavior, so parents should be aware of them so they can intervene and get help before things progress. Ross cites here own Sierra Tuscon rehab center in Arizona as the type of center that can offer support.
Ross has offered Digital Journal readers some key signs for parents to observe in the event that their teenager is developing an eating disorder. These are:
Sign #1: Eating and Exercise Changes Without Goals
Ross explains that: “Most people embark on a diet and an exercise plan with a specific goal. Studies show that those who set specific, measurable goals (such as losing 20 pounds in six months) are more successful than those who don’t have a specific plan. And there are cases when teens legitimately should lose weight; obesity is epidemic among young people, and many should lose a specific amount of weight to avoid health problems. It’s also normal for athletes to increase their workouts during the pre-season and to adjust their eating habits to improve performance. In most cases, this is not cause for concern.”
She adds that: “What should raise red flags, though, is a constant refrain of “I need to lose weight” and a quest to keep losing even after achieving a healthy goal. It’s especially worrisome among teens who are already at a healthy weight. If you notice your teen continuing to restrict eating, exercising heavily without a reason, or saying things like ‘Just a few more pounds’, have a conversation with them. Ask questions about your teen’s goals and motivations for the behavior. If the answers are vague, or seem out of line with good health, further intervention may be necessary.”
Sign #2: Obsession With Food and Eating
With food obsession, Laure Ross notes that “It’s no mystery that teens can eat — a lot. Growth spurts and changes in the body can lead formerly light eaters to have ravenous appetites, and vice versa. So when is there a problem? If your child who previously ate normally suddenly becomes obsessed with food and eating, or more accurately, avoiding food or meals, choosing foods that meet certain arbitrary parameters, and constantly talking about food (especially negatively), he or she could be dealing with an eating disorder.”
Ross explains that “People who have a healthy relationship with food see it as part of their lives, not the center of it. Eating disorders often make food the focal point of life, to the detriment of other interests and activities.”
Sign #3: Exercise as Punishment
Exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle. However, Laure Ross is aware that “it’s hard to argue that it can ever be too much of a good thing. However, when your teen suddenly becomes obsessed with working out without an assignable cause (like conditioning for a sport) or uses exercise as a form of self-punishment for perceived eating transgressions, there could be an issue. Statements like ‘I ate too much today — I have to run five miles and do 500 crunches now’ are not healthy, especially when your teen follows through, and should spark some concern.”
Sign #4: Unusual Mealtime Rituals and Behaviors
With the fourth sign, Ross indicates that “eating disorders are closely related to obsessive-compulsive disorders, and thus often come with an array of ritualistic behaviors.”
In terms of signs, she warns that “if you notice that your teen suddenly develops new behaviors during mealtimes — or starts regularly avoiding mealtimes altogether — investigate further. Some behaviors to watch for include cutting up food into small pieces, only taking a certain number of bites, carefully chewing each bite of food a specific number of times, and new and increasing restrictions on what they can eat, such as no food with a specific ingredient or of a specific color.”
Sign #5: Changes in Mood and Communication
With the fifth sign, food, and what and how much we eat, is directly tied to our mood. Laure Ross explains this by stating “eating too little or not often enough can lead to low blood sugar, which can cause irritability and mood swings, among other problems. If your teen seems moodier than normal, and you notice other worrisome behaviors, have a conversation. It may just be the normal angst of the teen years, but it could be something far more sinister and harmful.”
Ross’ key message is that early intervention in eating disorders is vital to avoid long-term physical and emotional damage, and to help re-establish a healthy relationship with food and body image. Here final message is: “be alert to these subtle signs and get help when necessary — it might just save your child’s life.”
