Eating disorders in children are serious mental health conditions involving unhealthy eating habits, body image concerns, and disruption of growth and well-being. ๐ง Early recognition & intervention are vital for recovery and to prevent long-term complications.
๐ Common Eating Disorders in Children
- ๐ฅ Anorexia Nervosa: Restrictive eating, fear of weight gain, distorted body image โ weight loss/failure to thrive.
- ๐คฎ Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating + purging (vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise). Weight may be normal but guilt and body dissatisfaction are prominent.
- ๐ Binge Eating Disorder: Recurrent episodes of overeating without purging โ obesity & metabolic risk.
- ๐ซ ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder): Common in younger children, refusal/avoidance of foods โ malnutrition & growth failure, but no body image concerns.
- ๐งฉ Pica: Persistent ingestion of non-food substances (chalk, dirt, paper); associated with developmental delay & nutritional deficiencies.
โ ๏ธ Signs & Symptoms
- โ๏ธ Rapid weight loss / poor weight gain
- ๐ฅ Unusual eating rituals (cutting food into tiny pieces, skipping meals)
- ๐ช Frequent bathroom trips after meals (possible purging)
- ๐ฅถ Feeling cold, dizziness, fatigue (malnutrition)
- ๐ค GI complaints: bloating, constipation, pain
- ๐ Mood changes: anxiety, irritability, low mood, withdrawal
๐ฏ Risk Factors
- ๐งฌ Genetic: family history of eating or psychiatric disorders
- ๐ง Psychological: perfectionism, low self-esteem, anxiety
- ๐ Environmental: peer/media pressure, โthin idealโ culture
- ๐ฅ Trauma/Stress: bullying, adverse childhood events, family disruption
๐ Complications
- ๐ฅฆ Malnutrition: growth delay, vitamin/mineral deficiencies
- โค๏ธ Cardiac: arrhythmias, hypotension, sudden cardiac death risk
- ๐ฆด Bone health: osteoporosis, delayed puberty
- ๐ฉบ GI: reflux, gastritis, constipation, oesophagitis
- โ๏ธ Hormonal: amenorrhoea, delayed puberty
- ๐ง Mental health: depression, self-harm, suicide risk
๐ฉบ Diagnosis (DSM-5 & Clinical)
- ๐ History: eating habits, exercise, weight changes, triggers
- ๐ฉบ Examination: vitals (bradycardia, hypotension), BMI, pubertal staging
- ๐งช Lab tests: electrolytes, FBC, renal/liver function, ECG
- ๐ง Psychiatric evaluation: mood/anxiety comorbidity
โ๏ธ Management
Requires a multidisciplinary approach (paediatrics, psychiatry, dietetics, psychology, family).
- ๐ฅฆ Nutritional rehabilitation: restore healthy intake & weight; hospitalisation if severe
- ๐ง Psychotherapy: CBT for distorted thinking; FBT (family-based therapy) in children
- ๐ Medical monitoring: weight, vitals, electrolytes, ECG
- ๐ Medication: SSRIs for co-morbid anxiety/depression (not first-line)
- ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง Family support: parental education, structured mealtime strategies
๐ Prognosis
Early diagnosis = best outcomes โ
. Many children recover fully, though some struggle into adolescence/adulthood. Prognosis worsens with delayed recognition, severe malnutrition, or psychiatric comorbidity.
๐ References