Eating disorders in children


Eating disorders are unhealthy and harmful eating habits in children. It results from a combination of both physical and mental health issues. Eating disorders are mostly observed in adolescents. Addressing them is crucial for both the physical and emotional well being of the child. Due to the easy access to fast food filled with high sugars and trans fats, pre-teens and children as young as 6-8 years are also acquiring eating disorders.

Dr.Swathy Talishetty of Isha Specialty Clinics is a paediatric expert in handling children with eating disorders.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for eating disorders , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

Understanding eating disorders in children


Eating disorders in children affect their physical health, emotional well-being, and development. There are both medical and psychological reasons for eating disorders. Below are the various types of eating disorders in children:-
  1. Anorexia Nervosa
    The child is adamant to eat the required amount of food due to which they lose weight. This affects their physical growth and also the age appropriate brain development.
  2. Bulimia Nervosa
    Children binge eat unhealthy food since they cannot control the craving. However to overcome the weight gain they immediately vomit, use laxatives, or over-exercise. Their weight appears normal and it is difficult for adults to recognise it since children mostly hide this condition from adults.
  3. Binge Eating Disorder
    Eating continuously while binge watching online content or while playing video games. The child gains weight and also due to lack of physical activity they are at a higher risk of getting obesity related health issues. After binge eating the child feels guilt, shame, or loss of control.
  4. ARFID – Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
    Children with ARFID are extremely picky eaters. They become picky due to choking fear, or dislike in almost any type of food.
    Such children face growth challenges and can become malnutritioned.
  5. OSFED – Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders
    Non-specific eating disorders where the children do not eat properly for unknown reasons.

Any of the above types of eating disorders have to be addressed as young as possible. If neglected they lead to developmental issues and could transcend into adulthood.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for eating disorders , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

What are the various causes for eating disorders in children?


Eating disorders in children are complex mental health conditions influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. These disorders—such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)—often develop during pre-adolescence or adolescence but can start as early as childhood. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the main causes:

Biological Causes


The child could be subjected to genetic and biological aspects that make them prone to eating disorders. Most common biological factors are :-
  • Neurobiology
    Hormones such as serotonin, dopamine affect the mood, impulse control, and appetite. Abnormalities in these hormones lead to disorderly moods and unhealthy behaviour towards eating.
  • Puberty and Hormonal Changes
    Puberty is the time of major hormonal changes noticeably in the estrogen and testosterone levels. The bodies of young boys and girls also start to change and all these changes could affect the mood, self-image, and eating habits.

Psychological Causes


In most children the eating disorders stem from mental health conditions. The most noteworthy reasons are:-
  • Low Self-Esteem
    Children with low self esteem usually use unhealthy eating habits as a coping mechanism. This could be in the types of food they eat or the amount of food that they consume.
  • Pressure of performance in education
    Kids who are high achievers or whose parents pressurise them into high scores often use unhealthy food as a means to deal with the stress. The high sugar and salt content in these foods temporarily helps them feel relaxed.
  • Anxiety and Depression
    There is a global rise in the depression and anxiety levels in children. Trauma due to physical, or sexual abuse, as well as bullying are increasing. There are numerous reasons for this. In such situations some children do not eat at all due to loss of appetite or eat too much as a way to calm themselves.

Social and cultural Causes


Children are moulded based on the environment of their home, school and the company they keep. So naturally all these factors affect a child’s eating habits. Some of the environmental factors are:
  • Role of family
    If the parents are overly critical about the child’s appearance it hurts their self image that can contribute to eating disorders.
    If the child does not get enough love and attention at home it affects their mental health and food turns into a source of control or comfort
  • Bullying
    Bullying based on the physical appearance of a child happens in school or when they are with their friends. They can be called “fatty”, “skinny” and many such names.So to “fix” their appearance they will over eat or skip eating.
  • Social Media Influences
    Social media is filled with unrealistic body shapes and sizes. Children are at a vulnerable age where they want to mimic the influencers, celebrities. This trend is most common in teens and young adults.

Early Childhood Eating Practices


  • The eating habits of the toddlers should be well regulated.
  • When they start eating food if they have negative experiences you can lead to eating disorders when they grow up.
  • Observe if your child is too much of a picky eater and encourage them to try all types of food which are healthy for them.
  • They should not skip meals or replace healthy food with fast food.

While many reasons have been discussed here one should note that usually it is a combination of many factors due to which children develop eating disorders. Observing the child and correcting it as early as possible is the best way for your child to develop a healthy relationship with food.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for eating disorders , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

How to identify if a child has an eating disorder at an early stage?


Children exhibit many behaviours by which adults at home or at school which will give a clue about their eating habits. Symptoms of eating disorders are as follows:-
  • Being too concerned about their weight, calorie intake, body size and shape?
  • Skipping school lunches.
  • Constantly giving excuses for not eating.
  • Doing exercise which is excess for their age.
  • Fast weight loss or gain
  • Change in mode and social behaviour.
  • Stomach issues, and indigestions.
  • Fussy eater.

When to consult a doctor for my child’s eating disorders?


Please be on the look out for any of the following behaviours:-
  • Rapid weight loss or gain
  • Reluctance to eat food or regularly skipping meals.
  • Too much pre-occupied with body image. Anxiety at mealtimes
  • Hiding or secretive eating.
  • The child complains of dizziness, hair loss, stomach issues.
  • Vomiting or nausea after meals.

Once you notice any of these signs please seek professional help. The earlier intervention starts, the quicker the child will be healthy again.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for eating disorders , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

What are the treatments available for eating disorders?


Dr.Swathy Talishetty treats a child’s eating disorder with a thoughtful, compassionate, and professional approach. Conditions like anorexia, binge eating, bulimia, ARFID, or other picky eating issues should be addressed early. Dr.Swathy says that correcting a child’s eating habits is not about taking short cuts but it needs a behavioural change in the child and the family as well. Some of the methods to fix eating disorders in children are:-

Seek professional help early on

  • Consult a pediatrician who will identify and treat any undetected medical complications.
  • A child psychologist or psychiatrist can help address the psychological issues that are triggering the eating disorders.
  • An expert dietician who will give personally catered meal plans depending on the child’s age and their nutritional needs. To help create safe, balanced nutrition plans.

Behaviour modification treatments

  • FBT- Family-Based Treatments are recommended for children and adolescents. Parents also play an active role in FBT’s.
  • CBT-E – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy aims at helping children and teens to correct their thinking about food and body image.
  • DBT- Dialectical Behavior Therapy helps in emotional management of binge eating.

Support structures

  • Please refrain from criticising the weight, size, or appearance of the child. Focus on their overall healthy development.
  • Get them used to healthy, planned and home made meals without screaming or yelling at them.
  • The entire family should adopt healthy eating habits so that the child sees the parents as role models.
  • Do not revolve their life around food and weight. Let them enjoy their childhood with play and fun.

Correct the Physical Health


Eating disorders can cause physical health issues such as :-
  • Imbalances in sodium and potassium levels commonly known as electrolytes.
  • Weak heart due which the child is constantly tired, fatigued and inactive.
  • The body does not develop as per their age.
  • The brain development also slows down which affects their cognitive skills.
  • Delayed or issues with puberty issues. Girls might face issues in menstruation like over or under bleeding, prolonged periods etc.

Please get regular checkups from a trained professional to address these physical issues.

Address Underlying Issues


Whatever the triggers of the eating disorders they should be fixed first. Most common treatments are necessary for conditions such as :-
  • Anxiety due to studies
  • Depression due to body image
  • OCD and fear of certain foods.
  • Trauma due to bullying

Once these underlying reasons are addressed the eating disorder gets fixed.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for eating disorders , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

About Isha Specialty Clinics, Hyderabad


Isha Specialty Clinic is the best Hospital in Manikonda for your heart care and child care. For all your pediatric and newborn care we are a one stop solution. Our expert team of doctors and state of the art labs offer you comprehensive pediatric services. When you visit us you will experience the best paediatric care, children nutrition advice and best cardiologist treatment in Hyderabad. Isha Specialty clinics are located at various convenient locations in Hyderabad such as Manikonda, Gachibowli, Banjara Hills and Toli Chowki, Mehdipatnam, Narsingi, Alkapur township.

Our expert team of doctors


Dr. Swathy Talishetty – MBBS (Osmania), MD (Niloufer) – Child and Newborn Specialist (Paediatric Doctor)


Dr. Swathy Talishetty is a top rated child care specialist. Dr.Swathy is an alumnus of Osmania Medical College where she completed her MBBS in 2007 and later on pursued her MD in Pediatrics from Niloufer Hospital in 2012. Dr Talishetty Swathi has specialized in:-
  • Newborn and infant care
  • Immunization
  • Growth and development monitoring
  • Preterm baby management
  • Childhood overweight management.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty’s compassionate approach, combined with her in-depth knowledge of pediatric nutrition, enables her to offer comprehensive care that addresses both medical and nutritional needs of children, ensuring their healthy growth and development. Get children treatment and pediatric nutrition consultation with Dr. Swathy Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, nearby Gachibowli and Narsingi areas in Hyderabad.

Dr. Nithin Annarapu – MBBS, MD – General Medicine, DM – Cardiology


Dr. Nithin Annarapu has more than a decade of heart care experience. 18 Years Experience Overall (12 years as heart specialist). Dr. Nithin Annarapu Annarapu is an Interventional Cardiologist in Manikonda Hyderabad and has an experience of 18 years in heart treatment, surgeries and cardiac procedures. He has saved many lives with his excellent treatments for palpitations which are heart related. Dr. Nithin Annarapu is practicing at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, near Gachibowli in Hyderabad. He completed MBBS from Siddhartha Medical College & Research in 2002, MD – General Medicine from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad in 2006 and DM – Cardiology from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad in 2010.

Major Treatments at Isha Speciality Clinics


Pediatric Care

  • Newborn and infant care
  • Immunization
  • Growth and development monitoring
  • Preterm baby management
  • Childhood overweight management.

Heart treatment

  • Mitral valve replacement surgery
  • Heart valve replacement and repair
  • Coronary Angioplasty
  • Coronary Angiogram
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Angioplasty

Pain treatment

  • Thoracic epidural injections
  • Cervical epidural injections
  • Intraarticular joint injections
  • Nerve Block
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy
  • Lumbar Epidural Injections

For expert pediatric care and treatment for eating disorders , book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

For emergency care or appointments, contact Dr. Swathi Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinic, Manikonda – Hyderabad at 96760 7020. Book an appointment today for expert pediatric care!

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