How Eating Disorders Affect Teens and Adolescents

For many individuals, eating disorders quietly interfere with daily life, affecting concentration at school, relationships with family and friends, and even physical growth and development. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can deeply affect physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Although they are treatable, they are considered serious due to their potential long-term consequences when left unrecognized or untreated.

Eating disorders are mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all ages, genders, races, weights and sexual orientations. However, the adolescent and teenager population is at an increased risk of developing eating disorders because of developmental changes affecting their perception. 

Eating disorders are associated with devastating medical complications and high mortality rates if left untreated. 

The vast majority of those with eating disorders are not visibly emaciated. As the prevalence of eating disorders among adolescents and teenagers continues to increase, while it is essential for clinicians to be knowledgeable about early warning signs in adolescents, awareness must also extend to those most closely affected, including friends, family members, and individuals experiencing disordered eating themselves. When warning signs are recognized early and support is encouraged from both professional and personal networks, timely treatment becomes more accessible, significantly improving recovery outcomes and long-term well-being.

Eating disorders in teens and adolescents are characterised by disturbed eating behaviour associated with concerns about weight and shape or by avoidance due to sensory aspects of food.

There are many types of eating disorders which include Anorexia Nervosa which is characterised by severe restriction of food intake due to intense fear of gaining weight . While Anorexia nervosa is dominated by extreme food restriction, Bulimia nervosa involves binge eating and purging, where individuals attempt to eliminate consumed food through behaviours like self-induced vomiting. Binge eating disorder involves consuming excessive amounts of food as a way to cope with stress or emotional pressures. Unlike anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, it does not involve purging or restrictive eating, but it can lead to overweight or obesity. Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, and Binge Eating disorder vary widely in their presentation, which is why recognising different types is critical rather than treating them as a single condition. Without specific knowledge of these conditions, they can evade detection, delaying time to diagnosis and treatment. 

Stress plays a significant role in the development of eating disorders among adolescents and teens. Chronic stress affects the body`s hormonal balance, especially by increasing cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol can disrupt normal hunger and satiety signals, leading to changes in appetite such as overeating, loss of appetite, or irregular eating patterns. Over time, these disruptions may contribute to disordered eating behaviours.

The treatment of eating disorders in adolescents requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, including psychological therapy, nutritional rehabilitation and medical management. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is commonly used to address distorted thoughts and unhealthy eating behaviours. Nutritional counselling helps restore healthy eating patterns, while medical treatment is necessary to avoid complications. In some cases anti-depressants may be prescribed. Parents are understandably concerned about their child's eating behaviours, as eating disorders can significantly impact health and confidence.

Recent research suggests that internet-based self-help interventions using cognitive behavioural techniques are superior to no treatment in patients with eating disorders, although face-to-face therapeutic interventions continue to demonstrate greater effectiveness.

Because adolescence is a vulnerable period for both physical and emotional growth, early recognition of eating disorder warning signs can make a meaningful difference. Supporting peers, encouraging open conversations, and ensuring timely access to treatment are key to improving recovery and long-term outcomes.

RESOURCES;

1. PubMed

2. National Eating Disorders Association 

3. Academy for Eating Disorders