Eating Disorders in Childhood: What Parents Need to Know
When we think of eating disorders, we often picture teenagers or young adults. But the truth is, eating disorders can and
do affect children—even at surprisingly young ages. Early signs are often overlooked or mistaken for “picky eating” or “phase-related behavior,” but catching these concerns early can make a world of difference in a child’s long-term health
and well-being.
What Eating Disorders Look Like in Children
Eating disorders in childhood can show up differently than they do in older teens or adults. Some signs to look for include:
Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming “fat,” even in very young children.
Extreme pickiness or rigid eating habits that go beyond typical childhood food preferences.
Skipping meals, desiring to eat alone, hiding food, or expressing guilt after eating.
Excessive focus on body size, weight, or appearance.
Unexplained weight changes or stunted growth.
Emotional changes, such as withdrawal, irritability, or increased anxiety around mealtimes.
Understanding Diagnoses in Childhood Eating Disorders
Eating disorders in children are diagnosed using the same criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) that apply to adolescents and adults. However, symptoms may look different in younger children, making diagnosis more complex.
Some common childhood eating disorder diagnoses include:
Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and disturbances in body image. In children, this may present as slowed growth, refusal to eat with the family, or distress around certain foods.
Bulimia Nervosa: Involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use. While less common in very young children, early warning signs can emerge in preteens.
Binge Eating Disorder: Recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control, often accompanied by shame or guilt. In children, this may appear as secretive eating or frequent complaints of stomach pain after eating.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Unlike anorexia, ARFID is not driven by body image concerns. Instead, children may restrict eating due to sensory sensitivities, fear of choking or vomiting, or low interest in food. ARFID often develops in early childhood and can severely affect growth and nutrition.
Understanding Diagnoses in Childhood Eating Disorders
Eating disorders don’t have a single cause—they develop from a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. For children, some of the most common influences include:
Genetics and Biology: Children with a family history of eating disorders, anxiety, or depression may be more vulnerable. Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism or sensitivity, can also play a role.
Psychological Factors: Low self-esteem, difficulty managing emotions, or struggles with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies can increase risk.
Social and Cultural Pressures: Even young children are exposed to messages about dieting, appearance, and “ideal” body types through peers, media, or social environments.
Family Dynamics: High levels of stress, conflict, or certain parental attitudes toward food and body image may contribute.
Trauma or Stressful Events: Experiences such as bullying, sexual or medical trauma, or major life transitions can sometimes trigger disordered eating behaviors as a way for children to cope or regain a sense of control.
Feeding Difficulties in Early Childhood: Children with sensory sensitivities, selective eating habits, or medical conditions affecting appetite may be at higher risk of developing restrictive patterns later on.
Understanding these factors helps reduce stigma and emphasizes that eating disorders are not simply “choices” children make, but complex mental health conditions that require compassionate, specialized care.
Myths & Misconceptions About Childhood Eating Disorders
Unfortunately, myths about eating disorders can prevent children from getting the help they need. Here are some common misconceptions:
“Children are too young to have an eating disorder.”
In reality, eating disorders can begin in early childhood. Delaying care because of age only increases risks.“It’s just picky eating—they’ll grow out of it.”
While all children have preferences for textures and tastes, extreme “pickiness”, persistent restriction, distress around food or mealtimes, or health consequences point to something more serious, such as ARFID or another eating disorder.“My child doesn’t look underweight, so they can’t have an eating disorder.”
Eating disorders affect children of all body sizes. Weight is not the only marker—emotional distress, medical issues, and eating patterns are equally important.“Talking about it will only make things worse.”
Gentle, supportive conversations and early professional help are key to recovery. Avoiding the issue can allow it to deepen.“Parents are to blame.”
Eating disorders are complex conditions with many contributing factors. Parents are not the cause—and in fact, they are one of the most important parts of a child’s recovery team.
Dispelling these myths is critical for recognizing the seriousness of eating disorders in childhood and ensuring families seek support as soon as possible.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Children’s bodies and brains are still developing, which means untreated eating disorders can have lasting effects on growth, development, and overall health. The earlier a child receives support, the better their chances for a full recovery. Early intervention not only restores physical health but also helps children build healthier relationships with food, their bodies, and themselves.
Therapeutic Approaches That Support Recovery
At The Current, our specialized child and adolescent therapists use evidence based treatments for eating disorders in childhood. Treatment requires both specialized expertise and developmentally sensitive care.
Play Therapy: For younger children, play therapy provides a safe and creative way to explore feelings, reduce anxiety, and process experiences. Because children often express themselves more naturally through play than conversation, this approach helps them build coping skills, improve self-esteem, and develop healthier ways of relating to food and their bodies.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): IFS helps children and adolescents identify and understand the different “parts” of themselves—for example, the part that feels pressure to be perfect, or the part that feels scared or out of control. By nurturing self-compassion and inner balance, IFS supports long-term healing and resilience.
Family-Based Treatment (FBT): Widely considered the gold standard for childhood and adolescent eating disorders, FBT empowers parents to take an active role in their child’s recovery. Families learn how to support safe eating, interrupt disordered behaviors, and gradually return responsibility for food back to the child in a supportive, structured way.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E): CBT-E is a highly effective, structured treatment that helps children and adolescents identify and change unhelpful thought patterns around food, weight, and body image. It also focuses on reducing behaviors that maintain the eating disorder while building healthier coping skills.
These therapeutic approaches, combined with family involvement and collaboration with medical providers, provide a strong foundation for recovery.
Why a Collaborative Treatment Team Matters
Eating disorder recovery is never “just about food.” It requires an integrated approach that supports the whole child—body, mind, and emotions. That’s why collaboration between therapists, medical providers, and dietitians is so important. If you child begins treatment with a therapist at The Current, they will provide you with referrals to get a specialized treatment team in place.
Medical Providers: Eating disorders can impact growth, hormones, heart health, and other essential body systems. Pediatricians or specialists help monitor a child’s physical stability and overall health throughout treatment.
Registered Dietitians: Dietitians play a crucial role in helping children rebuild a balanced and nourishing relationship with food. They provide meal guidance, education, and family support to take the fear and uncertainty out of eating.
Therapists: While medical providers and dietitians address the physical side of recovery, therapists focus on the emotional and psychological roots of the eating disorder. Together, this collaboration ensures no piece of recovery is left unaddressed.
When families work with a coordinated treatment team, children receive the most effective care possible. This team-based approach helps reduce relapse risk, strengthens family confidence, and builds a foundation for lasting recovery.
How We Can Help
At The Current, we provide specialized outpatient treatment for eating disorders in children and adolescents. Our therapists partner closely with medical providers and dietitians to ensure every child receives comprehensive, well-rounded care.
If you suspect your child may be struggling with food or body image issues, don’t hesitate to connect with us.