How your pediatrician in Holly Springs, NC, can help when your child has an eating disorder
Do you think your child has an eating disorder? Eating disorders are a common problem in children. Advertising and social norms are concerned with weight and body image. Your child is exposed to constant pressure to look attractive, and that often means staying thin. Pressure to stay thin can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food. Your pediatrician can help. Dr. Maria Castro at StarLight Pediatrics in Holly Springs, NC, offers comprehensive medical care for children, including diagnosis and treatment of an eating disorder.
There are many signs and symptoms of an eating disorder for you to look for. Your child may have an eating disorder if your child:
- Avoids eating or eats reduced portions of food
- Experiences sudden, excessive weight loss
- Is hiding or hoarding food to eat later
There are also physical signs and symptoms for you to look out for, including:
- Thinning or losing hair
- Constipation or digestive issues
- Reduced growth and development
- Delay of the onset of puberty
- Excessive bowel movements
- Frequent stomach aches
Eating disorders come in many forms. These are some of the more common eating disorders in children:
Anorexia nervosa – an eating disorder in which a child believes they are overweight when they are actually of normal weight or underweight. A child suffering from anorexia nervosa may exercise excessively, binge on food, and then vomit the food back up, known as purging.
Pica – an eating disorder in which a child eats a substance which is not food. Common examples of these substances include chalk, hair, ice, dirt, sand, or soap.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) – an eating disorder in which a child avoids or loses interest in foods that the child previously enjoyed. The aversion to certain foods may be related to the texture or taste of the food.
Eating disorders in children can be difficult for parents to notice. That’s why you need the services of an expert–your pediatrician. To find out more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of an eating disorder, call Dr. Maria Castro at StarLight Pediatrics in Holly Springs, NC. You can reach her in the office by calling (919) 762-5113, so call today.