Can Early Eating Problems Predict an Eating Disorder?
When you think of eating disorders, you probably think of teenagers and young adults, but many eating problems begin earlier in childhood. Today, even some elementary school children feel dissatisfied with their bodies and develop what are called dysfunctional eating habits that can turn into full-blown eating disorders as they grow up. “If a child is already invested in having a particular body type when they are in elementary school, then we think they are at risk for the development of an eating disorder,” says Linda Smolak, PhD, a professor of psychology at Kenyon College in Ohio who has studied eating problems in young children. Under-, Over- and Picky Eaters Eating problems in younger children can take many forms, including irregular eating patterns, consistent overeating and consistent under-eating. Some children might start eating a mostly junk food diet, eating only one particular food or avoiding certain foods.
