Be alert to changes in teens' weight and eating habits Significant changes in a teen's weight or eating habits could signal potentially serious food-related problems. But dramatic weight loss or gain, sudden interest or preoccupation with exercise, food, calories, body weight or size indicate that food is becoming a problem. Teens with eating problems might wear oversized clothing to hide weight loss or gain, visit the restroom frequently after meals, exercise compulsively or excessively, develop food rituals like cutting food in tiny pieces, avoid social occasions that involve food, or appear moody or depressed.
Early treatment is key to preventing eating problems from developing into eating disorders.
Bulimia, or induced vomiting, and anorexia nervosa, or intentional starvation, are very difficult to treat and can be life-threatening disorders. Copyright 1999 Baylor College of Medicine. All Rights Reserved.