Spotting the signs of disordered eating in teens 

The teen years are a time of changes, not just to a growing body but also in developing an identity, increasing independence and making more choices … including choices around food. While some changes to eating habits are normal, others could signal early stages of disordered eating. 

Registered dietitian Carla Burke noted common signs of disordered eating in teens to watch out for and what parents or caregivers can do to help. 

Disordered eating vs. eating disorders 

“Disordered eating exists on a spectrum and may not always meet criteria for a formal eating disorder,” said Burke. “Eating disorders can be difficult to treat, so early intervention is really essential to prevent more serious physical and psychological consequences.” 

On one end of the spectrum, there is intuitive eating, or eating to nourish and fuel yourself while maintaining a largely neutral relationship with food. At the other end are clinically diagnosed eating disorders, with severe problems not only around what food is eaten, but also the thoughts and feelings around food.  

Between these extremes, you can often find behaviors that fall under disordered eating, where behaviors and feelings around food can have negative consequences but don’t necessarily meet the standard for a clinical diagnosis.  

Disordered eating can become an eating disorder 

“While the primary difference between disordered eating and eating disorders is if those behaviors cause a significant impairment in the individual’s life, there can be overlap when it comes to disordered eating as a descriptive term,” said Burke. “Someone counting calories and someone with a diagnosed eating disorder can both be said to be showing signs of disordered eating.” 

Disordered eating can also develop into an eating disorder later. 

Signs of disordered eating to watch for 

“First off, watch for changes in how someone eats or the ‘rules’ they start applying to food,” said Burke. “Think suddenly restricting through skipping meals or cutting out entire food groups, following rigid ‘clean eating’ rules or feeling anxiety around certain foods.” 

You may see your teen begin to label foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ The truth is that save allergies, there is no food, besides alcohol, that should be considered entirely off-limits or ‘bad.’ Food isn’t a moral decision, but a nutritional necessity. 

Other signs of disordered eating include: 

• Preoccupation with body image or weight: Frequent “body checking,” where your teen looks at themselves or takes photos of their body in order to critique it or see if it’s ‘acceptable,’ negative self-talk or an intense fear of weight gain are all red flags for disordered eating. Teen athletes or fitness enthusiasts may begin claiming that being leaner will improve their performance. 

• Changes in weight, growth or energy: Unexplained weight loss, slowing growth, fatigue, dizziness or frequent injuries may all be signs that your teen isn’t eating enough to support their health. You might also notice them becoming more irritable or prone to anger. 

• Avoiding or withdrawing from social situations involving food: Your teen may start avoiding eating around family or friends, making excuses to skip team meals if they’re in sports or even insisting on eating in isolation. These are all signs of growing discomfort or distress around eating. Lunchtime is a common and easy time for a teen to claim they’re ‘not hungry’ and start avoiding meals. 

• Excessive or compulsive exercise: Regular time spent training is normal for teen athletes. It becomes a potential concern when there is exercise that feels driven, inflexible or based around guilt – think “since I ate a cupcake, now I have to run on a treadmill or I’m failing.” Teens are very impressionable and it’s common to pick up poor relationships with food by hearing the guilt and self-judgement of social media influencers, adults or other teens around them. 

Teen athletes may be at higher risk of developing disordered eating 

“Teen athletes may face unique pressures related to performance, body composition or sport-specific ideals,” said Burke. “Sports that emphasize leanness, weight categories or aesthetics like gymnastics, wrestling, distance running and others can increase their vulnerability.” 

In some cases, disordered eating may contribute to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) – a condition that affects metabolism, bone health, hormones and performance. RED-S affects both male and female athletes and is a replacement term for Female Athlete Triad. 

What to do if you’re concerned about your teen’s relationship with food 

“Start with a nonjudgemental, honest conversation,” said Burke. “Approach them with curiosity and care, not criticism. Focus on what you’ve observed rather than assumptions. For instance, mention that you’ve noticed that they seem stressed and anxious around food lately, and ask how they’re feeling. More importantly, really listen to their response.” 

Don’t talk about or focus on their weight or appearance. Instead, shift the conversation toward athletic performance, health, energy, mood and overall well-being. Even the most well-intentioned comments about weight may actually reinforce harmful beliefs. Focus on the goals of the teenager, not your own. 

Encourage evaluation by a pediatrician or registered dietitian. Early, team-based care leads to better outcomes. It’s also important to help normalize consistent meals and snacks throughout the day.  

Emphasize that fueling is essential for cognitive function, performance, recovery and injury prevention, not just body size. 

Create a positive environment around food and the body 

“Diet talk may feel natural and normal in our society, but it can be very harmful, especially when your child is growing and developing,” said Burke. “They’re already dealing with insecurity around a rapidly changing body. Seeing and hearing their parents and other trusted adults focusing on ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods, worrying over calorie counts or emphasizing a guilt-based relationship with food can cement those ideas within them.” 

Instead, model balanced eating at home and discourage harmful messaging around food or weight. Restrictive diets simply do not work when it comes to any goal. Encourage your child to focus on getting enough nutritious foods to keep fueling their bodies and work toward their goals instead. 

“Disordered eating can be easy to miss, especially in high-achieving teens or dedicated athletes,” said Burke. “Being observant, fostering open communication and acting early can give adults a powerful role to play in protecting a teen’s health, development and relationship with food.” 

If you’re unsure whether a behavior is concerning, it’s always okay to ask for help from a pediatrician or registered dietitian. Early support can make all the difference.