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Recognising the signs of an eating disorder in teens is essential for ensuring young people get the care and compassion they need. At ABBI Clinic, our specialist team has the expertise and experience to create eating disorder treatment programmes that enable teens to heal and support them through the emotional and psychological journey of recovery.
Eating disorders are mental health conditions that can impact people of all ages, not just adults. Teenagers can also develop unhealthy eating habits that impact their physical health, emotional wellbeing, and everyday routines.
Since teenagers experience a lot of bodily and emotional change during their formative years, it isn’t always easy to identify when an eating disorder has developed. Indicators such as body mass index (BMI) become less reliable because teenagers experience rapid, variable spurts in growth and development. Instead, weight changes and eating behaviours must be looked at more closely.
At ABBI Clinic, we offer tailored treatment plans to teens aged 13 years and over. Our specialist team creates personalised plans that support teenagers in the ways they need to feel safe and secure throughout their healing process. We also take steps to involve caregivers where necessary, enabling families and wider support networks to help teens recover.
Identifying eating disorders in teenagers is not always straightforward. Those who develop these conditions can often be secretive, and teens can develop sophisticated ways to keep their unhealthy eating habits from their parents or friends. Knowing how to recognise the signs of eating disorders, therefore, is key to ensuring treatment is provided as soon as possible.
Teenagers typically gain weight gradually as they grow throughout puberty. Noticeable weight loss or an inability to gain weight might therefore be a sign of conditions like anorexia nervosa.
Eating regularly is important for teens, as it supports their physical growth, but inconsistent or overly strict eating patterns can be indicators of disordered eating. These can include skipped meals, eating select foods, eating very small portions, or eating only at very specific times or in specific places.
With conditions that involve an obsession with ‘clean’ foods, such as orthorexia nervosa, or only eating low-calorie foods, teens might exhibit an unhealthy focus on how healthy foods are. This might manifest as obsessive label-checking or avoidance of certain foods.
Fashion experimentation is an inevitable part of growing up, but certain clothing choices might be made to cover up weight loss. In conjunction with other signs and symptoms, consistently choosing oversized clothing could be a sign of an eating disorder.
Eating disorders can disrupt the body’s rhythms and cycles, and malnutrition can cause the menstrual cycle in young women to become irregular, stop, or not start altogether.
For many parents and carers, it can be distressing to consider that their teenager might be living with an eating disorder. At ABBI Clinic, we know that developing these conditions is unfortunately more common than many might first think, and families of affected individuals should not feel as though they are alone in their experience.
According to NHS data, the rate of eating problems in 2023 was 59.4% among young people aged 17 to 19, with rates of 77.5% among young women and 42.3% among young men. Children’s Commissioner also found that the number of young people starting eating disorder treatment has risen significantly since COVID, rising from 7,580 in 2018-19 to 11,810 in 2022-23.
These statistics not only show that eating disorders amongst teenagers are rising, but also highlight the need for specialist, timely treatment that we make accessible here at ABBI Clinic.
Teens experience a lot of change in their formative years, and just like adults, they can also experience a lot of stress and demands that increase the likelihood of developing an eating disorder. There is no single cause of eating disorders in teens, but contributing factors can include:
• Pressure from media and peers to look a certain way
• Lack of control over actions and decisions at home
• Bullying or fat shaming from other teens
• Emotional instability during adolescence
• Life disruption caused by changes in school, family breakdown, and friendship losses
• Genetic predispositions
Parents can often feel powerless when they learn that their child has an eating disorder. Whether they are displaying the first signs of disordered eating or are receiving treatment at a specialist clinic, you may find it difficult to recognise how best to offer support and guidance. At ABBI Clinic, we offer the following advice for parents and carers:
Teens who develop eating disorders may find it difficult to talk about their experiences. They can become withdrawn, become irritated easily, or find it difficult to regulate their emotions, but maintaining open channels of communication is essential.
While they might not want to talk right away, making your child aware that you are available and willing to listen to their feelings and experiences can be pivotal for recovery.
These conversations might be challenging at first, but a patient, calm approach always works best. Steer clear of discussing their appearance or diet, and retain a blameless, open tone to help them express themselves more confidently.
Every parent wants to support their child, but what you might not realise is that there are so many available ways to express your commitment to the recovery process.
You may want to take the time to learn as much as you can about a particular eating disorder, offer much-needed support for small wins and steps towards recovery, and serve as a clear role model by being open and honest about your emotions and experiences.
What also cannot be overestimated is the impact that expressing love and support to a teen or young person can have on their recovery. Being a constant source of positivity and understanding goes a long way.
It isn’t easy to watch your teenage child or loved one live with an eating disorder. At ABBI Clinic, we always want to support our patients and their families as much as possible, so we encourage parents to look after themselves and maintain healthy routines in order to support their children as consistently as they can.
Everyone’s experience of eating disorders is different, and supporting a healthy, sustainable recovery means accessing a tailored treatment plan designed specifically for you. Your plan may consist of the following:
Individual therapy sessions give you dedicated one-to-one time with a specialist psychological therapist. Sessions provide a confidential space to explore the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may underlie your eating disorder.
Group therapy sessions bring you together with others on a similar journey in a structured, safe, and facilitated environment. Sessions create space for sharing experiences, building skills, and supporting one another.
Family therapy involves working with you and the people closest to you to explore how relationships and home dynamics may be contributing to your eating disorder and build frameworks for supporting your recovery.
During individual sessions with a specialist eating disorder dietitian, who works closely alongside the rest of your treatment team, you will work towards rebuilding a healthy, flexible relationship with food, addressing any nutritional concerns, and developing practical eating skills that you can carry forward after treatment.
Supported mealtimes are a core part of our Day Care programme and an important element of treatment for many people. You will prepare and eat meals in a supportive, structured group environment, with your clinical team present throughout.
If you are on a Day Care programme, you will be seen by a Consultant Psychiatrist as part of your initial assessment, and psychiatric oversight will continue throughout your treatment where clinically indicated.
Our mental health nursing team provides clinical monitoring and practical support throughout your treatment. Regular physical health checks, including weight monitoring and medical observations, are carried out by our nurses, who are present throughout the day.
Looking to learn more about eating disorders in teens? Find answers to our most commonly asked questions here, or reach out to get in touch with a member of our expert team.
At ABBI Clinic, teenagers can be enrolled in a Day Care or Outpatient programme, depending on the support and care they need. Within these programmes, they can receive support through a range of specialist treatments, including individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy.
If you believe that your child is at risk of developing an eating disorder, there are a few steps that can be taken to help reduce the chances of it manifesting. These include promoting healthy, judgement-free perceptions of food and eating, avoiding assigning food moral value, and celebrating the pleasure and nourishment food provides.
If your child will be receiving treatment privately, you can contact us directly to arrange an initial consultation, whether you are self-funding or using private health insurance. We also accept referrals from GPs, other healthcare professionals, and NHS Community Eating Disorder teams. If you would like more information about any of these routes, please contact us.
