Professionals must act to support young people with eating disorders

Considering this, here are the top tips I have learnt from researching and speaking to eating disorder patients.

Acknowledge individuals at risk

There is a common misconception that an eating disorder may solely originate from the social pressure to look a particular way or from the influence of social media. Whilst these are important factors to consider in early intervention, it is equally as important to identify specific individuals who are at risk of developing an eating disorder. These individuals can vary between high achievers, those who are going through stressful life events, those who are bullied, or neurodivergent individuals. These children and young people are seemingly more at risk of developing an eating disorder due to the anxiety they may develop and the poor coping strategies they create to handle their anxiety. Therefore, be aware of evolving behaviours such as social isolation, anxiety, low mood and/or changes in mood, and low self-esteem.

Pay attention to physical changes

Despite heavy depiction in the media of eating disorders being associated with underweight individuals, evidence suggests that less than 6 per cent of people with eating disorders are medically underweight, which highlights the importance of keeping in mind other physical changes which may indicate that the young person has an eating disorder. Physical symptoms to be aware of may include exhaustion, dizziness or feeling faint, sensitive or damaged teeth, and wearing baggy clothes to hide possible weight loss or gain. If you identify any of these physical symptoms, it is critical to alert your school nurse or designated safeguarding lead so that you can have a conversation on how best to approach and support the student.

You can identify a student with an eating disorder but they may refuse your support

Although you may identify an individual who is at risk of an eating disorder, it is essential to understand that they may refuse your support or do not wish to seek treatment. In this instance, it is crucial to continue to observe for an increase in signs and symptoms (unless there is an immediate threat to their mental or physical wellbeing) while maintaining the space for the student to approach you should they change their mind about seeking support or treatment. Moreover, implementing an ‘open door’ policy may enable the student to comfortably seek help or support of their own volition.

In summary, early identification and intervention is essential in supporting a child or young person who is at risk of developing an eating disorder. They may not always be willing to accept support or help but it is essential to create a safe environment in which the student feels empowered to seek support or help should they wish to do so in the future. Furthermore, it can be helpful to tap into eating disorder resources such as BEAT and FREEDfromED to further consolidate your knowledge and enable your ability to support the young person. Furthermore, as a professional, it is important to obtain support from a specific individual such as the school nurse or safeguarding officer to assist you in supporting the student through a likely emotionally difficult situation.

Emmie Hopkinson is third year student nurse at Kingston University specialising in paediatrics. She spoke at CYP Now's early help conference on early intervention in eating disorders in September.