Eating Disorders:Warning Signs and Symptoms

You can't tell whether a person is struggling with an eating disordered just by looking at her, but there are often warning signs. Warning signs or "red flags" might suggest that a young person may develop or already has an eating disorder.

Below is a list of signs that are linked to certain types of eating disorders. A person who has an eating disorder may have one or more of these signs. These signs may also mean that a person has another kind of health condition, so it's best to talk with an adult about your concerns before jumping to any conclusions.

Red flags for Anorexia:

• Skips meals
• Makes excuses not to eat
• Over-exercises (makes exercise a top priority)
• Eats only "safe" foods (low calorie, low-fat)
• Doesn't eat certain food groups (ex. carbs, fats)
• Has unusual behaviors around food (organizing food, cutting food into small pieces, always finding something wrong with food, pushing food around the plate)
• Cooks or bakes food for others but doesn't eat it
• Watches food shows or visits food websites constantly
• Obsessively reads nutrition information or counts calories
• Constantly weighs themselves, or "body checks" (looks at their body in the mirror or feels their body with their hands)
• Chews a lot of gum or drinks large amounts of water, coffee, diet soda, or calorie-free beverages
• Denies that there is a problem despite weight loss

Red flags for Bulimia:

• Uses the bathroom after eating or in the middle of meals
• Consumes unusually large amounts of food at one time
• Loses control around food
• Has scars or calluses on hands and knuckles from using their finger to vomit
• Hides food or empty wrappers
• Diets often
• Food may be missing from cabinets at home or disappears rapidly

Red flags for Binge Eating Disorder:

• Frequently eats large amounts of food in one sitting
• Loses control around food
• Eats when not hungry
• Eats alone
• Eats as a way to control emotions
• Hides food or empty wrappers
• Others notice food disappearing rapidly
• May hoard food

Written and reviewed by the CYWH Staff at Boston Children's Hospital

Source: youngwomenshealth.org