Summer Holidays Reveals Leeds Children's Eating Disorders

Skinny teens in Leeds might be hiding an eating disorder - which parents might only find out in the summer holidays.

Thats according to experts, who say it's more noticeable as their kids swap winter wear for swimsuits.

Dr Julia Coakes is a psychologist at Insight Eating in Leeds, she says “I think the holiday season really allows parents to see their children when perhaps everyone had been busy with exams and school and everything towards the end of term and there's more time for everyone to spend together - and then parents often notice a significant change in eating habits and significant weight loss.

“It's certainly a very common issue in the Leeds area, we have some very high pressure schools there's a lot of teenagers with high expectations and perfectionism, and perfectionism is one of the character traits that's associated with eating disorders, as well as some biology and some genetics.”

But the warning signs might not be that obvious.

“Eating disorders are secretive and often at the beginning the child won't tell their parents they're not eating lunch - they'll simply throw it away. They'll be wearing baggy clothes, trying to hide their shape as much as possible. For most of these teenagers wearing a swimming costume is terrifying.

“If your child is usually happy to eat crisps and chocolate, which is really normal for a teenager, are they starting to say no to those things? Are they making different choices? And that's not necessarily that it's an eating disorder but these are the beginning signs or perhaps a diet that can go too far.”

Worried parents are encouraged to see a GP as soon as possible. Dr Coakes adds, “the evidence is that if they seek treatment in the first three years of the eating disorder developing, the outcome is much, much better than when it’s going on longer. You’d be surprised how many times parents think it’s been going on six months and the child tells me they’ve been restricting for two or three years.”

Parents are advised to be asked to be referred to child and adult mental health services through their GP. For more advice, visit the NHS website: Eating disorders - advice for parents Eating disorders explained