Watch for disordered eating
What it is
Eating disorders peak between 14 and 18 and start quietly — often as a diet everyone praised.
Start preparing
- Warning signs: skipping meals, new food rules, eating alone, long bathroom visits after eating, over-exercising, periods stopping.
- Never comment on anyone's body or weight at home, including your own.
- Eat together as a family several times a week — it is one of the strongest protective factors.
- Ask directly and without alarm: 'how are you feeling about food lately?'
When to check with a professional
Rapid weight loss, periods stopping, vomiting after meals, fainting, or a teenager who will not eat with the family — contact the family doctor promptly. Early treatment changes the outcome substantially.
Related
Sources
- Bright Futures periodicity schedule — American Academy of Pediatrics
- Preventive services recommendations — US Preventive Services Task Force
Compiled with AI assistance from the public sources listed above. Not yet reviewed by a clinician — check anything important against the source, with Tipat Halav or with your doctor.