A 14-year-old skips food often. Is it fine?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am worried about my daughter. She is 14 years old and suffers from anxiety, often triggered by being in a crowd or busy environment. In recent months she has started avoiding food. She skips breakfast and then does not eat lunch at school. She will, however, eat her tea at home. Even if it is a high-fat meal. She has gone from 9 stone to 8 stone in approximately eight months. She admitted that skipping meals started after a girl at school called her fat. I am not sure if skipping meals classes as an eating disorder but this has gone on too long to be just a phase. Should I be worried?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Teenagers go through difficult phases of mental, emotional and physical growth. It is really good that as a parent you are paying full attention, now here are some suggestions. Do not be critical of your child's behavior. Gently try to introduce the idea that health and being thin are separate. If the child is unable or unwilling to eat proper breakfast or lunch, ask what they would prefer. Use the internet to show the required calories and their sources, try substituting healthy food with her choice and consent. Talk to the school counselor and maybe their help can solve the issue.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions
How to handle my husband with effective communication?
I have weight loss, increased hunger, thirst and frequent urination. What can it be?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD)
I have weight loss due to digestion issues. How to gain the weight back?
Can anxiety and stress cause frequent urination?
A 14-year-old skips food often. Is it fine?
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.