When You're Worried About Your Teen's Eating

Eating disorders can carry real medical risk at any weight, so the first call is your teen's doctor. This guide covers the changes parents often notice, how to talk about it, and how to get help.

We're not clinicians or doctors, and this practical guide isn't medical advice. For guidance about your teen, always talk with their doctor or therapist. If you're worried about their safety, call or text 988, or call 911.

3 articlesBy Jeremy MannéMore on the way

If you're new here, start with these

Start here

Changes Around Food and Body That Parents Often Notice First

The first signs of an eating disorder that parents notice are usually changes in behavior and mood around food, like skipping family meals, new rigid …

Then

Getting Help When You're Worried About an Eating Disorder

Getting help for a possible eating disorder starts with your teen's doctor or pediatrician, the same week you're worried, because eating disorders can…

Then

How to Talk With Your Teen When You're Worried About Eating

A helpful way to raise worries about a teen's eating is a calm, private conversation that leads with concern for how they are doing, rather than with …

Every article in this guide

Eating Disorders

Changes Around Food and Body That Parents Often Notice FirstThe first signs of an eating disorder that parents notice are usually changes in behavior and mood around food, like skipping family meals, new rigid food rules, or secrecy, rather than any visible change in weight.9 min Getting Help When You're Worried About an Eating DisorderGetting help for a possible eating disorder starts with your teen's doctor or pediatrician, the same week you're worried, because eating disorders can affect the heart and other organs before a teen looks unwell.10 min How to Talk With Your Teen When You're Worried About EatingA helpful way to raise worries about a teen's eating is a calm, private conversation that leads with concern for how they are doing, rather than with anything about their weight, size or appearance.9 min

When it's more than home can handle

You don't have to figure out the next step alone

We're not clinicians, so the Getting Help guide explains your options in plain language and points you toward people who can evaluate your teen. If you're worried about safety, call or text 988, or call 911.

Levels of care, explained →What level of care your teen needs →Crisis options →