In an age where digital platforms have become central to social interaction, children are growing up with near-constant exposure to social media. Although these online spaces can offer community, information, and entertainment, they also present potential risks, especially regarding body image and food relationships. Children frequently see images of celebrities, influencers, or peers showcasing idealized or filtered appearances, which can create distorted expectations about beauty, weight, and overall health (Levine & Piran, 2004). When these expectations become internalized, children may develop harmful perceptions about their bodies and engage in unhealthy behaviors related to eating and exercise.

Family support plays a critical role in the recovery process from pediatric eating disorders. The dynamics within a family and the strength of its support system can significantly influence the child’s ability to recover both physically and emotionally. A nurturing and understanding environment can reinforce positive habits, reduce emotional distress, and encourage effective coping strategies. When family members actively participate in the treatment process, young people struggling with an eating disorder benefit from consistent reinforcement of healthy behaviors and ongoing emotional support (Lock & Le Grange, 2019). By working together, parents, siblings, and other caregivers can play a significant role in facilitating recovery and preventing relapses.

Eating disorders in children and adolescents can be challenging to detect early because some behaviors may be mistaken for “typical” teenage moodiness or picky eating. However, certain warning signs and changes in behavior or physical health can indicate that an eating disorder may be developing. It’s important to remember that no single sign confirms an eating disorder, but a pattern of behaviors or symptoms may warrant a closer look and professional evaluation.

One of the lesser talked-about — but emotionally painful — side effects of eating disorders is hair loss or noticeable changes in hair texture, thickness, or growth. For many teens and young adults, especially, these physical signs can increase distress or shame.

Have you ever pictured something you wanted — a goal, a relationship, a feeling — and then felt like your energy helped bring it closer? That’s the heart of manifesting: focusing your thoughts, beliefs, and intentions in a way that helps you move toward what you truly want.

While COVID-19 has faded from headlines, its ripple effects are far from over — especially for young people. One of the most complex and underrecognized intersections? The relationship between Long COVID and eating disorders.

Both conditions can affect the body, brain, and daily functioning in profound ways. And in some cases, they appear side by side — complicating diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Most patients with eating disorders are treated outpatient or in specialized programs (like IOP or residential). However, a trip to the emergency room may be necessary when there's a medical emergency or acute safety risk, including:

Whether you're struggling with anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, or another form of disordered eating, your oral health is part of your overall health — and your dentist can play an important role in early detection and long-term healing.

Change isn’t all-or-nothing.
It's a journey — and people move through different stages at their own pace.

Whether you're a teen in recovery, a parent supporting a loved one, or a therapist helping someone find their footing, the Stages of Change model offers a roadmap for empathy and support.

Eating disorders aren’t just about food, body image, or weight. They are often:

• Attempts to manage anxiety or chaos

• Ways to feel control or structure when life feels unpredictable

• Numbing tools for emotional pain or trauma

• Signals that something deeper is distressing the person

Eating disorders don’t just affect nutrition and weight — they can also impact the body’s ability to eat safely. One symptom that can be frightening, misunderstood, and often overlooked is dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.

For kids and teens with restrictive eating disorders (like anorexia nervosa, ARFID, or OSFED), restoring weight is often a life-saving step. Medical complications like bradycardia, hypotension, loss of menses, or growth delays can emerge quickly when the body doesn’t get enough energy to grow.

In a world of viral trends, TikTok “nutritionists,” and endless wellness influencers, it’s no surprise that eating disorders are often misrepresented, oversimplified — or dangerously glamorized. Misinformation about eating disorders doesn’t just create confusion — it can delay treatment, fuel shame, and even worsen outcomes for those struggling.

Water flavoring packets (like Crystal Light, Mio, Propel, or store brands) are small, often powdered or liquid sachets you mix into water to add flavor — usually with little or no sugar.

They can be helpful for:

• People who struggle to drink plain water

• Kids or teens in recovery from eating disorders who need encouragement to hydrate

• Avoiding sugary sodas or juice

Meditation isn’t about perfect stillness or clearing your mind — it’s about coming home to your body and breath. And the way you sit can make a big difference in how grounded, present, and comfortable your practice feels.

Whether you're new to meditation or deepening your practice, these key points of posture will help you sit with ease, awareness, and support.

When you’re walking through recovery from an eating disorder — whether you’re just beginning or have been at it for a while — it’s easy to feel like every step forward should be perfect. Like every meal, every therapy session, every thought has to be “right.”

Avoiding hard things — conversations, feelings, foods, memories, decisions — often gives us a huge wave of temporary relief.

You skip the meal.
You postpone the appointment.
You distract yourself instead of feeling that sadness or fear.

And in that moment?
😮‍💨 It feels like the right move.
Because the anxiety fades. The discomfort lifts. You feel safe again.

That’s the trap. And it’s backed by science.

Yes, the rates of eating disorders differ across countries and regions, influenced by a complex mix of cultural, socioeconomic, genetic, and healthcare factors. But as awareness grows and research expands globally, we’re learning that eating disorders are not just a “Western problem.” They affect people in every part of the world — though how they show up, get diagnosed, and are treated can vary widely.

When we talk about malnutrition, people often think of physical signs — weight loss, weakness, or fatigue. But one of the most profound (and often invisible) effects of malnutrition happens where we least expect it:

The brain.

Whether from an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa, ARFID, or even chronic dieting, undernourishment directly affects how the brain functions, feels, and processes the world. And when the brain is underfed, it can impact everything from emotions to memory, focus, sleep, and even personality.

Let’s take a look at how malnutrition changes the brain — and why nutritional rehabilitation is critical not just for the body, but for the mind.

We often hear the terms “disordered eating” and “eating disorder” used interchangeably — especially in wellness circles, school settings, or on social media. But while they’re related, they are not the same thing.

Understanding the difference can help parents, providers, and individuals recognize red flags earlier and get the right level of support — before things get more serious.