Common Myths About Eating Disorders in Children

Eating disorders in children are often misunderstood, leading to delayed diagnosis, ineffective interventions, and stigma. Here are some of the most common myths and the facts that debunk them.

1.        Myth: "Children are too young to develop an eating disorder."

             Fact: Eating disorders can develop as early as age 6.

• Anorexia, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and binge eating behaviors have been diagnosed in children under 10.

• Early-onset EDs may not always look like adult EDs but can still cause serious health consequences.

2.    Myth: "Eating disorders in kids are just a phase—they’ll grow out of it."

                Fact: Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, not phases.

• Ignoring early signs can lead to chronic, long-term struggles with food and body image.

• Early intervention leads to better recovery outcomes and prevents long-term damage to growth and development.

3.    Myth: "Children only develop eating disorders because of body image concerns."

                Fact: While body image can be a factor, many young children develop EDs due to:

• Sensory issues (common in ARFID)

• Anxiety or perfectionism

• Fear of choking or vomiting

• Food aversion after illness

• Family stress or trauma

4.    Myth: "Only girls get eating disorders."

                Fact: Boys also develop eating disorders, but their symptoms may look different.

• Boys may engage in excessive exercise, restrictive eating, or muscle dysmorphia behaviors (bigorexia).

• Because eating disorders are often seen as a "girl’s issue," boys are less likely to be diagnosed and treated.

5.    Myth: "Children with eating disorders are always underweight."

                Fact: Many children with eating disorders are at or above average weight.

• Kids with binge eating disorder (BED) or atypical anorexia can appear to have "normal" or "healthy" weight while still suffering from severe eating disorder symptoms.

• Weight alone is NOT an indicator of whether a child has an eating disorder.

6.    Myth: "If a child is eating something, they don’t have an eating disorder."

                Fact: Many children with eating disorders still eat but in a disordered way.

• ARFID kids may eat only a few "safe foods" and refuse everything else.

• Kids with anorexia may only eat specific foods or very small portions.

• Some kids binge eat in secret and then restrict food later.

7.    Myth: "Only strict dieting leads to eating disorders."

                Fact: eating disorders can develop without dieting.

• Trauma, anxiety, and sensory sensitivities can trigger restrictive eating.

• Unintentional weight loss (e.g., from illness) can also trigger eating disorder behaviors.

• Even well-meaning “healthy eating” messages can spiral into obsessive food rules.

8.    Myth: "Parents are to blame for their child’s eating disorder."

                Fact: Eating disorders are complex, brain-based illnesses.

• While family dynamics can contribute, genetics, personality traits (e.g., perfectionism, anxiety), and environmental triggers all play a role.

• Blaming parents discourages them from seeking early intervention and support.

9.    Myth: "If a child isn’t talking about their body, they don’t have an eating disorder."

 Fact: Younger children may not be able to verbalize their struggles.

• Instead, they may show signs like extreme pickiness, food avoidance, emotional outbursts at mealtimes, or obsessive behaviors around food.

• Some children internalize their distress rather than expressing it.

10. Myth: "Eating disorders are just about food."

Fact: Eating disorders are mental health conditions with deep-rooted emotional and psychological components.

• Food control is often a way to manage anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, or a need for control.

• Simply "making a child eat" does not address the underlying emotional struggles.

Final thoughts

Misconceptions delay diagnosis, prevent proper treatment, and contribute to stigma. Early intervention is crucial in helping children recover and develop a healthy relationship with food.Bottom of Form

Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate help, please contact a healthcare professional or crisis intervention service immediately.