Eating Disorders in Youths: Risk Factors, Statistics, and Recovery

Thrive • September 29, 2021

EATING DISORDER TRIGGERS IN YOUTHS

Dangerous and deadly, eating disorders are psychological illnesses that fatally claim one out of ten of their victims. There are a variety of societal, cultural, and environmental influences that can lead to the development of eating disorders, which we’ll explore below. At an impressionable age, youths can be more affected by these factors than adults. In fact, the average age of onset for eating disorders is 12 to 13 years old.

It is important to be aware of common risk factors for youth eating disorders, which include:

  • Family Influences: Family eating behaviors such as dieting and counting calories can serve as dangerous models for youths. Children of parents who are overly concerned about their weight tend to face an increased risk of developing eating disorders.
  • Culture and Media: Youths are influenced by media and cultural body image standards as early as elementary school. According to research cited by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) , of elementary school girls who read magazines, 69 percent say that the pictures influence their concept of the ideal body shape, and 47 percent of them say the pictures made them want to lose weight.
  • Weight-Based Victimization: Weight stigma consists of discriminatory behavior and ideas about body shape and size. Victims of weight stigma may develop resulting depression, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction — all of which can lead to eating disorders, especially in youth.
  • Dieting Culture: Dieting at a young age can also be a major factor in the development of eating disorders. According to research cited by NEDA , in comparison to adolescents who did not diet, those who dieted moderately were five times more likely to develop an eating disorder, and those who practiced extreme food restriction were 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder.
  • Competitive Athletics: Another risk factor for developing an eating disorder as a youth is being a competitive athlete. According to research cited by NEDA , athletes competing in sports that emphasized diet, appearance, size and weight were most at risk. One study cited by NEDA found that 35 percent of female and 10 percent of male college athletes were at risk for anorexia nervosa and 58 percent of female and 38 percent of male college athletes were at risk for bulimia nervosa.

TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS

Just like adults, youths are at risk for developing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), among others. 

Discover how these eating disorders show up in the youth demographic below, according to research and statistics distributed by NEDA

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by inadequate caloric intake, excessive exercise, and malnourishment. Between .3 and .4 percent of young women and .1 percent of young men will suffer from anorexia nervosa. Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 with anorexia have 10 times the risk of dying compared to their same-aged peers.

Binge Eating Disorder

Episodes of overeating and feelings of loss of control about eating are signs of binge eating disorder. The illness often begins in the late teens or early twenties, but it has also been reported in young children.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of bingeing followed by purging, fasting, or exercising excessively. At any given point in time, one percent of young women and .1 percent of young men will meet diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa.

ARFID

Children who suffer from ARFID have difficulty eating due to a lack of interest, sensory aversions, or worry that may choke, vomit, or experience pain. One study showed that adolescents with ARFID were more likely to be younger and male.

YOUTH EATING DISORDER TREATMENT AT THRIVE

Thrive is dedicated to stopping youth eating disorders in their tracks through holistic, multidisciplinary, and targeted eating disorder treatment . Our team includes primary care clinicians, therapists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and mindful movement specialists who all collaborate to provide integrated care.

Our eating disorder treatment programs welcome adolescents, and we even offer a specialized eating disorder treatment program tailored specifically to youths. Thrive Sacramento’s Family Intensive Outpatient Program caters to adolescents and their families. The program begins with two days of intensive treatment and education followed by individual therapy, family therapy, psychoeducation, and clinical support for nine to twelve months. For more information about our eating disorder treatment services, feel free to reach out to us .

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By Julia Actis, LCSW September 11, 2025
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When Emma was 8, her parents noticed her food choices shrinking. At first, they assumed it was just picky eating — “She’ll outgrow it,” friends said. But by 10, Emma would only eat crackers, cheese, and chicken nuggets. Family dinners became nightly struggles, her growth slowed, and she skipped birthday parties to avoid “strange food.” Her parents felt powerless, her brother grew frustrated, and outings dwindled. What began as food avoidance soon reshaped the rhythm of the entire household. When children avoid food, most parents expect it’s a passing stage. But when restriction deepens, shrinks to only a few “safe foods,” and begins affecting growth or health, families suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory. This is often where Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) emerges — with effects that extend far beyond the plate. As providers, we need to be attuned to these patterns. It’s tempting to dismiss them as “no big deal,” yet for many families, they are life-altering. Sadly, Emma’s story is not unusual. Mealtimes as Battlegrounds Families living with ARFID often describe mealtimes as emotionally charged, exhausting, and unpredictable. What should be a chance to connect around the table can feel more like a negotiation or even a standoff. Parents wrestle with whether to push their child to try a new food or give in to the same “safe foods” again and again to avoid tears, gagging, or complete meltdowns. This ongoing tension can make mealtimes dreaded rather than cherished. Siblings, too, are affected. Some may feel resentful when family meals are limited to what only one child will tolerate. Others may act out in response to the constant attention the child with ARFID receives. Over time, the dinner table shifts from a place of nourishment and bonding into a stage for conflict, anxiety, and guilt — a pattern that can erode family cohesion and resilience. Social Isolation and Missed Experiences ARFID impacts more than what happens at home; it influences how families engage with the world around them. Everyday events — birthday parties, school lunches, vacations, even extended family dinners — become sources of stress. Parents may pack special foods to avoid confrontation or, in many cases, decline invitations altogether to protect their child from embarrassment or overwhelm. This avoidance can lead to an unintended consequence: isolation. Families miss out on milestones, friendships, and traditions because of the unpredictability surrounding food. The child may feel left out or ashamed, while parents grieve the loss of “normal” family experiences. This social withdrawal can compound the anxiety already present in ARFID and deepen its impact across generations. Emotional Toll on Parents The emotional strain on parents navigating ARFID is significant. Many describe living in a constant state of worry — Will my child get enough nutrients? Will they ever grow out of this? Am I doing something wrong? This worry often spirals into guilt and self-blame, particularly when outside voices dismiss the disorder as mere “picky eating.” In addition, the pressure to “fix” mealtimes can strain marital relationships, creating disagreements over discipline, feeding strategies, or medical decisions. Parents may also feel emotionally depleted, pouring all their energy into managing one child’s needs while inadvertently neglecting themselves or their other children. Without support, this chronic stress can lead to burnout, depression, and disconnection within the family system. The Role of Providers For clinicians, ARFID must be viewed not only as an individual diagnosis but as a family-wide challenge. Effective care requires attention to both the clinical symptoms and the family dynamics that shape recovery. Parent Support: Educating caregivers that ARFID is not their fault, offering psychoeducation, and helping them reframe mealtime struggles as part of the disorder — not a parenting failure. Family-Based Interventions: Coaching families in structured meal support, communication strategies, and gradual exposure work so parents don’t feel powerless. Holistic Care: Involving therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and medical providers ensures that the family does not shoulder the weight of treatment alone. When families are validated, supported, and given practical tools, the entire household can begin to heal. Treatment is not only about expanding a child’s food repertoire but also about restoring peace, resilience, and connection at home. Moving Forward ARFID may begin with one individual, but its ripple effects are felt across the entire family system. By addressing both the psychological and relational dimensions, providers can help transform mealtimes from a source of conflict into an opportunity for healing and connection. For those who want to go deeper, we invite you to join our upcoming training on ARFID , where we will explore practical strategies for supporting both clients and their families.
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