Eating Disorder Warning Signs

Last week was Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  Dr. Tracie Pasold of Arkansas Children's Hospital stopped by to share some of the possible warning signs of an eating disorder.

Warning Signs of possible Eating Disorder

• Obvious weight loss
• Extreme concern regarding weight and body shape
• Obsession with calories, fat grams, carbs (reading food labels)
• Dieting, especially in a child or adolescent
• Skipping meals
• Avoiding foods previously liked
• Long stay in restroom after meals
• Missed menstrual periods
• Fainting
• Not eating with family
• Food rituals, such as cutting food up in tiny pieces
• Excessive exercise or exercise becoming a priority above all other activities
• Evidence of bingeing; signs of purging (vomiting)
• Social isolation/withdrawal
• Change in mood (depression) or irritability

For more information on this or other topics you can visit the Arkansas Children's Hospital website:

 http://www.archildrens.org/