Eating Disorder

I have an adorable 15 year old daughter, who is sweet, smart and has many friends. She doesn’t eat enough. Before it was OK but now that she is in high school, she gets tired easily. When she was younger, she used to eat more if I encouraged her. Now if I tell her to, she eats less. Is this an eating disorder? I don’t know what to do. I just want her to be happy and enjoy life.
Please, please advise me.

Based on the information which you have provided about your daughter, it is difficult to diagnose an eating disorder without evaluating her in person. Therefore, I will provide you with some general information about eating disorders. Because the prevalence of eating disorders is so widespread, it has become a common worry for parents of adolescent girls.

There are two primary categories of eating disorders for average and low weight issues: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. A diagnosis of anorexia is given when the person refuses to maintain a minimum acceptable body weight. Bulimia is recognized by binge eating followed by self punitive behavior such as self induced vomiting, excessive use of medications for purging, too much exercise or fasting. Both disorders are marked by an extreme distortion of body image. For example, girls may see themselves as fat when they are within normal limits or underweight.

Eating disorder or not, teenagers can be baffling for parents. Once docile children frequently become resistant and engage in power struggles with their parents in their teen years. Perhaps this is what you are experiencing when you encourage your daughter to eat. What worked when she was younger, may no longer work at this age. If you can resist persuading her to eat, she may eat more on her own. When teens assert their will (within reason) it is an important maturing experience, although, it may leave you feeling helpless and confused.

Because you are worried, it is important to have your daughter seen by her doctor and to express your concerns. The physician can also tell you what an acceptable weight range is for your daughter. As with any teenager, if you detect dramatic changes in her weight, behavior or mood have her evaluated by a professional that is experienced in working with such issues.