Binge eating disorder in Kids and Teens

Source: WebMD

Binge eating disorder most often appears in teens and young adults. Both boys and girls can have it. It’s slightly less common than other eating disorders, but it too can harm health.

What Is It?

Binge eating means eating large amounts of food, much more than you need, in one sitting. Someone with binge eating disorder does this at least once a week over three months or more, and can’t seem to stop doing it. You may “zone out” while eating. Afterward, you feel shame, guilt, or other sad feelings.

People with this disorder often binge when they aren’t even hungry. They may prefer to do it in private. They may keep eating even though their stomach hurts.

Unlike other eating disorders, a person who binge eats doesn’t also purge (throw up) or over-exercise. This can lead to obesity and related risks, like diabetes or heart disease.

Being obsessed with food this way can also add stress, spoil friendships, and exhaust mental energy.

How to Spot It

Because people who binge eat tend to hide it, it makes it hard for a parent to find out.

Signs include:

Large amounts of food that seem to vanish. Do whole boxes of cookies or crackers go missing often?

Tell-tale wrappers. Do you find empty bags or boxes in trash cans?

Food stashes. Have you seen supplies of snacks in desk drawers, backpacks, the garage, or odd places around the house? Has your child stolen food?

Late-night binges. Does your child seem to wait to eat huge amounts when alone?

Yo-yo weight. Does your child gain and lose? Or has there been a sudden weight gain? Binge eaters tend to weigh too much, but weight may also swing from low to high.

Eating quirks. Does your child hardly eat at meals or fast, but not lose weight? Refuse certain foods? He may skimp when around others and gorge later. Or he may skip meals to try to make up for a binge.

Trouble at home or school. Does your child seem depressed or anxious? Is he bullied or teased? Food can be a way of coping. A child may eat for comfort, to escape or avoid dealing with tough things, or to rebel against rules. Half of those with binge eating disorder are depressed.

How to Help Your Child

If you’re worried your child may have this disorder:

Learn as much as you can about it. The causes of binge eating disorder are unclear. It’s likely there’s more than one cause. Genes, body image, diet history, and emotional health are factors that seem to play a role.

Talk with your child in private, when you’re calm. Say something like, “I’m concerned about you and what’s going on with you,” without talking about eating or food. Remember, this illness isn’t about eating. It’s about feelings and other issues.

Listen. Don’t judge or make it about blame. Try “I” statements. (“I noticed you ate all the cookies last night.”) Avoid saying “you.” (“You have a problem.” “You should stop that.”)

Show extra support. Don’t harp about what to eat or how much.

A Guide to Understanding Eating Disorders

Have family activities that aren’t food-based. Have a game night, walk the dogs.

Talk to your child’s doctor. The quicker you take action, the less ingrained the habit will become. The doctor can check overall health and refer you to experts.

Treatment

There’s no single treatment for binge eating disorder. A mix of talk therapy, learning new ways to cope with triggers that set off binges, nutrition classes, and family training can help your child reach a healthy mindset and stable weight.

There is no FDA-approved medication for the disorder, but in early studies some medications have shown promise. Sometimes antidepressant medications are prescribed either for bingeing behavior itself or for related problems involving depression.

It also helps to work on boosting overall health and body image. Yoga, movement classes, meditation, or doing art may help.

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