Spotting the Early Warning Signs of Eating Disorders/Eating Difficulties

The first signs of an eating disorder are often in behaviour, like lunch skipped for a club every day, layers in warm weather or a trip to the toilet straight after eating. Most young people with an eating disorder aren't underweight, so waiting for weight loss means waiting too long.

None of those proves anything on its own, but knowing the signs lets you notice when they start to add up. You'll learn the behavioural, psychological and physical signs of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and ARFID. The 4 As give you a simple way to remember what to do, starting with staying alert. A young person's account of how a 'good day' of strict food rules tips into a binge helps it all make sense.

The signs are grouped disorder by disorder, so it's easy to come back to when something about a pupil doesn't sit right.