Research shows the incidence of early-onset eating disorders (in children aged 5–13) in Australia has nearly doubled in recent years.

Early warning signs include;

• Compulsive or excessive exercise
• Changes in eating patterns/secretive eating
• Weight loss or failure to gain expected weight
• Preoccupation with food; thinking, preparing, or talking about food a lot
• Cutting out major food groups (e.g., carbs, meat, dairy)
• Body dissatisfaction, distorted self-image, fear of weight gain
• Obsession with ‘healthy eating’ or ‘clean eating’ to a point that causes stress

Early detection can make a huge difference in outcomes — there are practical, evidence-based supports available.