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. Healthy Parents can help children stay healthy by emphasizing the importance of frequent hand washing. Close contact in the classroom allows many illnesses to quickly spread from one child to the next. Some of the most common are upper respiratory tract infections, chicken pox, conjunctivitis or pinkeye, head lice, and scabies. Because children are often contagious before their illness is known, contact can't be completely avoided.