School Setting: Spotting an Eating Disorder

There are many common signs and symptoms of eating disorders that might be observed by a classroom teacher. Eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening, mental illnesses. Research shows that early intervention and treatment can increase the speed of recovery. If you think a student has an eating disorder or has developed unhealthy behaviours or attitudes about body weight, shape or food, it is important to voice your concerns as soon as you can and refer them for further assessment and support.

Eating disorders are defined by changes in behaviours, thoughts and attitudes to food, eating, weight or body shape that interfere and detrimentally impact upon an individual’s life. Some changes you may notice in students are listed below:

Physical Signs

• Changes in weight i.e. rapid weight loss, persistent low weight, failure to meet normal growth targets, frequent weight changes (loss or gain)

• Fainting or dizziness

• Feeling cold most of the time, even in warm weather

• Feeling bloated or constipated

• Feeling tired and not sleeping very well

• Lethargy or low energy

• Signs of damage due to vomiting, including swelling around the cheeks or jaw, calluses on knuckles, damage to teeth and bad breath

• Loss of or irregular menstruation in girls

• Fine hair appearing on face and body

• Swollen glands or bad breath may indicate self-induced vomiting

Psychological Signs

• Increased focus or concerns with eating, food, body shape or weight

• Feeling anxious and/or irritable around food and mealtimes

• Feeling distressed, sad, anxious or guilty about what they have eaten

• Expressing intense fear of gaining weight

• Dissatisfaction with their body

• Feelings of shame, self-loathing or guilt, particularly after eating

• Significantly distorted view of what they look like

• Increased difficulty concentrating

• Sensitivity to comments relating to food, weight, body shape or exercise

• Depression, anxiety or irritability

• ‘Black and white’ or rigid thinking

There may not (at least at first) be observable signs in some students who are experiencing an eating disorder. For example, often they may continue to do well in class and with their assessments despite their symptoms.

Behavioural Signs (Inside the Classroom)

• Frequent visits to the bathroom

• Social withdrawal

• No longer enjoying activities they previously enjoyed

• Dieting behaviour such as counting calories, tracking food, and/or skipping meals

• Repetitive or obsessive behaviours relating to body shape and weight such as frequently checking their reflection or pinching parts of their body

• Compulsive or excessive exercising

• Changes in attitude toward school and school performance

• Self-harm, substance abuse or suicide attempts

As a classroom teacher you may not have the opportunity to directly observe your students eating and/or exercising however you may receive information from other sources (such as the student’s peers, family, other teachers or even the student themselves) that they are engaging in behaviours that are cause for concern such as:

Behavioural Signs (Outside the Classroom)

• Evidence of deliberate misuse of laxatives, appetite suppressants, enemas and diuretics

• Evidence of eating large amounts of food such as lots of food wrappers

• Secrecy around eating

• Radical changes in food preferences

• Preoccupation with preparing food for others, recipes and/or nutrition

• Erratic behaviour, for example, stealing food or spending excessive amounts of money on food

• Avoiding eating meals with others

• Giving food away to others

• Obsessive rituals around food preparation and eating

• Elimination of entire food groups, for example, not eating carbohydrates