Does your child have these eating habits? They could be signs of mental health issues

Eating habits are an important part of a child’s overall health and well-being. A healthy diet provides the nutrients that kids need to grow and develop properly. It also helps to boost their mood and energy levels.

However, certain eating habits can also be a sign of underlying mental health issues. For instance, kids with anxiety or depression may experience changes in their appetite like eating more or less than usual. Kids with eating disorders may have restrictive eating habits, such as avoiding certain foods or eating only a very limited range of foods. They may also engage in purging behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, after eating.

If you’re concerned about your child’s eating habits, it’s important to talk to their paediatrician or a mental health professional. They can help you to determine if your child has an underlying mental health issue and get them the treatment they need.

Here are 8 eating habits that parents need to watch out for.

Significant changes in appetite

Kids with anxiety or depression may experience changes in their appetite like eating more or less than usual. This is because anxiety and depression can affect the way that the body regulates hunger and fullness. Anxious children may eat more than usual in an attempt to cope with their anxiety. Kids who are depressed may eat less than usual because they have lost interest in food or because they feel too tired to eat.

Selective eating

Selective eating is when a child refuses to eat certain types of food, or only eats a very limited range of foods. This can be a sign of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). It is a type of eating disorder that can lead to malnutrition and other health problems. Kids with ARFID may avoid certain foods because they have a negative sensory experience with them, such as a dislike for the taste, texture, or smell of the food. They may also avoid certain foods because they are afraid of choking or vomiting.

Binge eating

Binge eating is when a child eats large amounts of food in a short period, followed by feelings of guilt or shame. This can be a sign of binge eating disorder (BED). This is another type of eating disorder that can lead to serious health problems, including weight gain, heart disease, and diabetes. Kids with BED may engage in binge eating episodes as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression.

Purging behaviours

Any behaviours that a child uses to get rid of food after they have eaten it. This can include vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics, or exercising excessively. Purging behaviours can be a sign of bulimia nervosa. Bulimia is a type of eating disorder that can lead to serious health problems, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and heart problems.

Hiding food or throwing it away

If a child is hiding food or throwing it away, this could be a sign that they are trying to control their weight or food intake. This could be a sign of an eating disorder or another mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression. Kids who are trying to control their weight may hide food or throw it away to avoid eating it. Kids who are anxious or depressed may hide food or throw it away because they feel ashamed of their eating habits or because they don’t have an appetite.

Eating alone or in secret

If a child is avoiding eating with others or eating in secret, this could be a sign that they are ashamed of their eating habits or that they are trying to hide their eating disorder. Kids who are ashamed of their eating habits may avoid eating with others because they are afraid of being judged or criticized. Kids who are trying to hide their eating disorder may eat in secret because they don’t want anyone to know about their eating habits.

Extreme preoccupation with food or weight

If a child is constantly talking about food or weight, or if they seem to be obsessed with their body image, this could be a sign of an eating disorder or another mental health issue. Kids who are preoccupied with food or weight may be constantly thinking about how many calories they are eating, how much weight they are gaining or losing, or how their body looks. They may also engage in excessive dieting or exercise.

Eating rituals

If a child has certain rituals or compulsions around eating, such as always having to eat food in a certain order or cutting food into tiny pieces, this could be a sign of an eating disorder or another mental health issue.

Eating rituals can be a way for kids to cope with anxiety or to feel in control of their eating habits. However, eating rituals can also be a sign of a more serious mental health issue, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

If you notice any of these eating habits in your child, it’s important to talk to their paediatrician or a mental health professional. They can help you to determine if your child has an underlying mental health issue and get them the treatment they need.