Some children develop intense fear or anxiety around specific foods, which can stem from sensory issues, choking incidents, past illness, or anxiety-related eating disorders like ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). Whether your child refuses certain textures, fears food contamination, or avoids entire food groups, gentle and structured exposure can help them regain confidence with eating.

Teaching children about food is important, but overemphasizing "healthy eating" messages can unintentionally create food anxieties, disordered eating behaviors, and negative body image. What starts as a well-intentioned effort to promote health can lead to rigid food rules, guilt around eating certain foods, and an unhealthy relationship with food.

Weight restoration is a critical part of eating disorder recovery for children who have lost a significant amount of weight due to anorexia nervosa, ARFID, or other restrictive eating disorders. However, this process can be emotionally challenging for both the child and the parents. Understanding what to expect, how to handle resistance, and how to provide emotional and practical support is key to a successful recovery.

When a child is diagnosed with an eating disorder (ED), treatment is essential for their physical health, emotional well-being, and long-term recovery. Early intervention increases the likelihood of full recovery, but the process can be challenging and emotional for families. Here’s what to expect from pediatric eating disorder treatment and how parents can support their child through recovery.

In 2023, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated guidelines on the treatment of children and adolescents with overweight and obesity — the first major update in 15 years. These new recommendations have generated a great deal of discussion — especially among pediatricians, therapists, dietitians, and parents of children in larger bodies.

Schools play a pivotal role in shaping children’s attitudes toward health, nutrition, and body image. Given that young people spend a significant portion of their day in the classroom, educational institutions have both the opportunity and responsibility to identify early signs of disordered eating and foster environments that encourage healthy habits (National Eating Disorders Association, 2023). By implementing comprehensive policies, training staff, and engaging families, schools can help prevent and address pediatric eating disorders before they escalate.

Treating pediatric eating disorders effectively involves more than focusing solely on symptoms related to food and body weight. A holistic approach aims to address all aspects of a child’s well-being, including their physical, emotional, social, and developmental needs. By evaluating the whole person rather than isolating the problem to eating behaviors alone, caregivers and professionals can create a more comprehensive plan that fosters lasting recovery

Proper nutrition is a cornerstone in the treatment and recovery of pediatric eating disorders. Diet plays a multifaceted role in healing by addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of these disorders. Establishing balanced, nourishing eating habits not only repairs the body but also supports emotional and cognitive recovery.

One of the lesser talked-about — but emotionally painful — side effects of eating disorders is hair loss or noticeable changes in hair texture, thickness, or growth. For many teens and young adults, especially, these physical signs can increase distress or shame.

Most patients with eating disorders are treated outpatient or in specialized programs (like IOP or residential). However, a trip to the emergency room may be necessary when there's a medical emergency or acute safety risk, including:

Whether you're struggling with anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, or another form of disordered eating, your oral health is part of your overall health — and your dentist can play an important role in early detection and long-term healing.

Eating disorders aren’t just about food, body image, or weight. They are often:

• Attempts to manage anxiety or chaos

• Ways to feel control or structure when life feels unpredictable

• Numbing tools for emotional pain or trauma

• Signals that something deeper is distressing the person

Eating disorders don’t just affect nutrition and weight — they can also impact the body’s ability to eat safely. One symptom that can be frightening, misunderstood, and often overlooked is dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.

For kids and teens with restrictive eating disorders (like anorexia nervosa, ARFID, or OSFED), restoring weight is often a life-saving step. Medical complications like bradycardia, hypotension, loss of menses, or growth delays can emerge quickly when the body doesn’t get enough energy to grow.

When we talk about malnutrition, people often think of physical signs — weight loss, weakness, or fatigue. But one of the most profound (and often invisible) effects of malnutrition happens where we least expect it:

The brain.

Whether from an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa, ARFID, or even chronic dieting, undernourishment directly affects how the brain functions, feels, and processes the world. And when the brain is underfed, it can impact everything from emotions to memory, focus, sleep, and even personality.

Let’s take a look at how malnutrition changes the brain — and why nutritional rehabilitation is critical not just for the body, but for the mind.

Eating disorder recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some people do well with weekly outpatient therapy and dietitian support. Others need more intensive care to break free from the cycle of disordered behaviors, restore physical health, and feel emotionally safe enough to heal.

If you're wondering whether it’s time to consider a higher level of care — like intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), residential, or inpatient treatment — you're not alone.

When most people hear the term “eating disorder,” they tend to picture extreme thinness or assume it’s all about food. But eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect people of all body sizes, genders, ages, and backgrounds — and they don’t all look the same.

Whether you’re a parent, provider, or someone seeking answers, it’s important to understand the different types of eating disorders. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward healing.