Is this an eating disorder?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2007
Is this an eating disorder?
4
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 9:29am

I'm not sure if this is a sign of an impending eating disorder, or just poor nutritional choices. I was cleaning my 15 yo DD's bathroom this morning and found 3 wrapped sandwiches stuffed inside her vanity. There have been 4 days of school so far--these are the sandwiches we made for her at home--which means either that she ate lunch only 1 day so far or there's still another sandwich squirreled away somewhere. (!) She has never had a weight problem. She is very petite--about 5'1" and 105 pounds. Sometimes when she's home, she "forgets" to eat lunch or puts off having breakfast until I force the issue. All she's having for breakfast before school is a bowl of sugary cereal. Apparently, she's subsisting during the day on Vitamin Water, then has snacks such as granola bars, ice cream, or nachos when she gets home. We usually have a homemade dinner together as a family.

I'm disturbed that she's going without lunch, and also that she flat-out lied to me yesterday when I asked her if she was eating her sandwiches...not to mention the bizarre choice of hiding them in your bathroom! I said in another thread yesterday that my kids never quite cover their tracks. If you're not going to eat your lunch, why not throw it out at school at least where your mom won't find out?! I realize I have to get rid of some of these junk food items we currently have in the house, at least until she starts eating a more balanced diet. What else should I look out for? Should I be worried? Should I talk to her doctor?

Oh, I forgot to ask--how would you approach this with her? I saved the sandwiches to show her what I found, in case I decide to go that way. She can be very stubborn. Thanks.




Edited 9/6/2007 9:33 am ET by ejteach2007
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2000
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 9:41am

While it might not necessarily be the sign of an eating disorder it certainly is disordered eating to an extent.

Pam
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 10:30am

I would start by asking her

Is lunch available at her school? Is it 'uncool' to bring your lunch? This year more so than last year? It would fit with ditching the food before she leaves the house(as opposed to tossing it at school where others would see)

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 10:41am
Thanks, Pam. I was hoping you would answer! I don't see too many other signs on that list, but I will now know what to watch for. The hiding of the food is a big sign, but then again, she's always been a sneaky kid. I'm going to observe her more closely for a while.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 10:44am
Good point. I never even considered that she could be throwing them out before she goes to school. I saw she had taken a bite out of one of them, so I doubt that's the case, and I think I see her putting them in her backpack just before she steps out the door. I don't think she wants to buy lunch at school because the lines are too long. At least that's what she's said ever since she started HS last year. I need to ask her why she doesn't seem to want to eat lunch. They have a 47-minute lunch period, so unless she's doing something else at that time, she should have time to eat.