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Anorexia nervosa (AN) impacts people of all ages, body types, genders, and ethnicities. However, anorexia in teens may have different symptoms, causes, and risk factors than anorexia in adults.
If your child is struggling with AN, it may be helpful to learn more about anorexia nervosa symptoms in teenagers and the types of approaches that are more likely to help.
The first step toward understanding teenagers with anorexia nervosa is learning what the disorder looks like in this population. Some early signs of anorexia in teenagers include:1,2
It's also common for those struggling with AN to wear loose clothing to hide the shape of their body. As a restrictive food intake disorder, the primary characteristic of anorexia nervosa is limiting food intake in any form. In a teenager, this could look like fights around dinner or refusals to eat what was made for them. They could find excuses to not eat meal, like making plans with friends or studying.
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There is no one cause of anorexia nervosa in teenagers or anyone else who struggles with the condition. AN is a complex disorder developed from biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Some common risk factors for those with anorexia nervosa include:3
Still, puberty is considered a particularly vulnerable time for eating disorder development, as the hormonal changes, psychological development, and social atmosphere impacting people in this age range can contribute to the onset of disordered eating symptoms.4
Anorexia nervosa is a common eating disorder, but it's still misunderstood by many.
Some people believe that AN only impacts young, white females, but the reality is that anorexia nervosa can affect anyone, regardless of their age, race, or gender.
AN also impacts people of all body types. People can have a normal body weight or a higher body weight and still struggle with anorexia nervosa. This is sometimes called atypical anorexia nervosa, and, as most people associate AN only with underweight individuals, it's often overlooked.
Another common myth is that anorexia is a choice or that anorexia nervosa symptoms in teenagers are "just a phase." AN is a serious mental health disorder, and signs of this eating behavior are a good indication that someone needs help.
Learning more about the early signs of anorexia in a teenager can help you understand what they're going through mentally, physically, and emotionally. This can be an excellent way to build empathy and compassion, which are both important when supporting someone through treatment and recovery.
But if your child, friend, or loved one is struggling with anorexia nervosa, there are other ways you can help.
When it comes to anorexia in teens, it's crucial that they receive appropriate treatment. AN can lead to serious physical and mental health consequences, but early intervention has been connected with less severe symptoms and a shorter duration of illness.5
The first step toward treatment is getting a complete and thorough evaluation from a medical or mental health expert. Receiving a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa will allow you to enroll them in various eating disorder treatment programs or receive insurance coverage for their care.
Still, even after your child receives the help they need, it’s important to be there for them. Recovery is rarely a straightforward journey, and there will likely be setbacks and even relapses. When these things happen, it's important to keep the faith, focus on the progress made, and continue supporting your loved one along their journey.
The most important thing to remember is that recovery is indeed possible and that your support and encouragement can make a huge difference in the life of a teenager with anorexia.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
