12 signs to detect an eating disorder in school

Eating Disorders (Eating Disorders) are characterized by pathological behavior towards food intake and an obsession with weight control.

Metaphorically we could describe them as a tree; the top of the tree and the trunk would be the symptoms, what we can see from the outside by the behavior and behaviors: obsession with weight, food restriction, exaggerated physical exercise, purging, overeating, etc.

The invisible part, the roots, are the unmanaged or unexpressed feelings and emotions and also the beliefs and thoughts around oneself and what surrounds them. It is precisely what is found under the ground that causes the disorder.

During treatment it is important to explore and work on both the behaviors and behaviors that we observe (symptoms) how in the deepest roots (real needs, functioning system, beliefs, feelings, emotions).

For this, it is important to detect the problem as soon as possible, especially if the problem occurs in adolescence, a time of greatest vulnerability and lack of resources to deal with it without help; that's why here we will see

the main warning signs for detecting an eating disorder at school, especially useful for teachers.

• Related article: "Major eating disorders: anorexia and bulimia"

Signs that allow detecting an eating disorder at school

EDs have a multicausal origin, so that behind their appearance there is not a single explanation, several factors of biological, psychological, family and sociocultural. What is really known about the onset of the disorder is that in most cases there is the conviction to start a diet in order to improve one's image of oneself and to feel best.

For decades it has been observed that the percentage of the population affected by Eating Disorders (Eating Disorders) is increasing. Although previously they were considered to affect almost exclusively women between the ages of 14-25, in Nowadays, they are spreading more and more to the male population as well as to minors in school and adults.

To detect an eating disorder in school-age boys and girls as soon as possible, look at the following warning signs to react in time.

• Increased irritability and emotional instability.
• Tendency to isolation and decrease in relationships with the peer group.
• Decreased concentration and school performance.
• Apparent increase in study hours and increase in “useful” activities.
• Marked self-demand, perfection and rigidity.
• Increasing comments on weight and physique.
• Unjustified weight loss or stopping weight gain.
• Wearing clothing that is too loose or warm in an attempt to hide the body.
• Unjustified food restriction. For example, ordering less quantity of food in the dining room on a frequent basis.
• Strange eating behavior such as pushing or pulling food off the plate, preferences to eat alone.
• Increased physical activity at recess or sports activities showing nervousness if not running.
• Initiation of impulsive attitudes related to accepting the rules or limits: speaking badly to monitors, teachers or colleagues when it was never like this before, etc.

To do?

When we suspect a possible Eating Disorder at school, it is advisable to follow these guidelines. A teacher who suspects that a student in the class or school has an ED can collaborate by following the steps outlined below:

Share our doubts with the rest of the teaching team to assess the case

If you suspect it, you should talk to the center's psychologist or counselor to trace the path and agree with him how to have a meeting with the student.

Establish direct communication

The teacher with whom the student has the most connection will be in charge of leading the conversation to create from the beginning a climate of trust where the student can express themselves and become aware of the trouble.

The conversation can be approached by following the following topics, avoiding direct confrontation: concern about their change in attitude and behaviors, physical and emotional consequences of the disorder, relationship with the family and finally agreeing on how the matter will be transferred to the family. It must be taken into account that the student is likely to deny it, does not understand it as a problem (it is one of the main symptoms) and therefore does not want to receive help.

• You may be interested: "Educational psychology: definition, concepts and theories"

Offer mediation

After the conversation with the student, keeping calm and acting firmly, The teacher will inform you that a meeting will be called with her family, offering herself as a mediator between the family and the student to convey your concern.

Organize the meeting with the family

It would be convenient to divide the family meeting into two parts, the first where the teacher and the family put together the observed behavioral and emotional changes. In the second part, with the student present, the importance of early detection and early initiation of treatment will be addressed. Resources will be provided on centers with specialized professionals to go to to get a full assessment and assessment and thus be able to guide you towards the most optimal treatment.

Looking for professional help?

At Psicotools we believe it is important to promote preventive interventions that can help slow the growth in the incidence and prevalence of these diseases. For this, we consider it essential to intervene through educational programs in risk groups (adolescents and schoolchildren) but also about educators and family members who, as we have seen, have a key role in the detection of disease. To see our contact details, click click here.

Author: Carla Farré Soria, Dietitian-Nutritionist, Head of the Nutrition Area of ​​Psicotools