Eating disorder resources for families & friends

The transition back to school marks a fresh start for many students, but for those at risk for or recovering from an eating disorder, it can also be a period of heightened vulnerability. New academic demands, shifting routines, and evolving social dynamics can lead to increased stress, which research shows is closely linked to the onset or worsening of disordered eating behaviors.

By understanding the relationship between stress and eating disorders, and by knowing the signs to look for, parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals can help ensure that students receive timely support and intervention.

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The Relationship Between Stress and Eating Disorders

Stress and eating disorders are deeply interconnected. In many cases, stress serves as both a trigger and a maintaining factor for disordered eating behaviors. For some, stress prompts restrictive eating as a way to gain a sense of control; for others, it can lead to overeating or binge eating as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions.

Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with eating disorders, and the demands of the school environment can intensify both. Academic performance expectations, social relationships, and extracurricular responsibilities often create a high-pressure atmosphere, especially for teens with perfectionistic tendencies or a fear of failure.

These stressors can push vulnerable students toward unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as manipulating food intake, overexercising, or withdrawing socially. Over time, these behaviors can escalate, making early recognition and intervention critical. By addressing the underlying stress and providing healthier coping tools, families and professionals can help reduce the risk of an eating disorder taking hold.

Can School Stress Cause Eating Disorders?

School stress alone does not cause eating disorders, but it can be a powerful contributing factor, particularly for individuals with genetic predispositions, past trauma, or other mental health concerns. For adolescents, the school setting presents unique challenges: high academic expectations, peer pressure, social comparison, and in some cases, bullying or appearance-based teasing.

Transitions, such as moving from middle school to high school or preparing for college, can be especially destabilizing. These life changes often come with increased responsibilities, new environments, and a need to adapt quickly - all of which can heighten stress and trigger disordered eating patterns.

Perfectionism, a trait linked to both academic achievement and eating disorder risk, can further intensify the impact of school stress. Students who tie their self-worth to grades, sports performance, or social approval may use food and body control as a way to manage anxiety.

If these behaviors become habitual and unaddressed, they can progress into a diagnosable eating disorder, underscoring the importance of early identification and support.

Eating Disorders in High School Students

Adolescence is a peak period for the onset of eating disorders. Among high school students, these illnesses affect individuals across all genders, races, and body types, disproving the myth that eating disorders only impact a narrow demographic.

Common diagnoses in adolescents include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). These conditions can present differently from one student to another, and symptoms may be hidden behind academic success, athletic performance, or a socially active lifestyle.

Stigma remains a significant barrier to help-seeking in this age group, with many teens reluctant to disclose symptoms for fear of judgment or misunderstanding. Early intervention during high school is critical; timely, evidence-based treatment can improve recovery outcomes, reduce medical complications, and interrupt the progression of symptoms before they become deeply entrenched.

Signs of Stress-Induced Eating Disorders

Parents, educators, and peers can help by recognizing early warning signs of eating disorders, which may include:

• Skipping meals or drastically reducing food intake

• Eating in secret or avoiding eating with others

• Preoccupation with calories, weight, or body shape

• Sudden weight loss, gain, or fluctuation

• Excessive exercise or rigid workout routines

• Frequent trips to the bathroom during or after meals

• Mood changes, including irritability, anxiety, or depression

• Withdrawal from friends, activities, or school events

• Decline in academic performance or increased school absences

• Frequent complaints of stomach pain, bloating, or other digestive issues without a clear medical cause

While these behaviors can have many causes, persistent or worsening symptoms should be taken seriously. Eating disorders can develop gradually, and subtle changes in behavior or mood may be the first indicators. Early recognition is one of the most effective ways to prevent symptoms from escalating.

Tips to Help Reduce School Stress

There are many ways to help students manage back-to-school stress in healthy, sustainable ways:

• Encourage regular meals and snacks to support focus and energy

• Promote adequate, consistent sleep schedules

• Help students set realistic academic and extracurricular goals

• Provide time for unstructured relaxation and hobbies

• Model and teach mindfulness or breathing exercises for stress relief

• Maintain open, nonjudgmental communication about school and social pressures

While these strategies can reduce stress, it’s equally important to monitor for signs that stress is impacting a student’s health or daily functioning. If concerns arise, involving a mental health professional early can help address challenges before they escalate into more serious issues.

How Parents and Teachers Can Help

‍Parents and educators play a vital role in supporting students’ mental health and fostering resilience during stressful transitions. Strategies include:

• Maintaining open, judgment-free communication about challenges and concerns

• Avoiding comments about weight, appearance, or eating habits

• Offering reassurance that academic performance does not define worth

• Encouraging healthy coping outlets, such as creative activities, social connection, or physical activity for enjoyment rather than appearance control

• Coordinating with school counselors, coaches, and other professionals to ensure consistent support

By creating an environment of acceptance and understanding, parents and teachers can help students feel safe to share their struggles. This approach not only helps with early identification of eating disorder symptoms but also reinforces protective factors that can reduce vulnerability.

When Is Eating Disorder Treatment Necessary?

‍Early intervention is a key predictor of positive recovery outcomes. Treatment should be considered when changes in eating patterns are persistent, interfere with daily functioning, or cause noticeable physical or emotional distress.

Even “mild” symptoms should not be dismissed; without professional intervention, they can escalate quickly. Warning signs that treatment may be warranted include significant weight changes, physical health concerns, or an inability to manage school, work, and relationships due to eating disorder symptoms.

Parents and professionals are encouraged to seek an evaluation from a qualified eating disorder specialist if concerns arise. A comprehensive assessment can help determine the appropriate level of care, ranging from outpatient therapy to residential treatment, and provide the structure and support necessary for sustained recovery.

Learn About Eating Disorder Treatment with Monte Nido

Monte Nido Clementine’s programs provide evidence-based, individualized eating disorder treatment for adolescents, integrating medical, nutritional, and therapeutic care within a compassionate, recovery-focused environment. Our approach addresses the complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors, helping clients build lasting tools for recovery while restoring a healthy relationship with food and body.

For students facing increased stress during the school year, Monte Nido Clementine offers multiple levels of care, allowing for a seamless step-up or step-down in treatment as needed. Our adolescent programs prioritize age-appropriate interventions, family involvement, and coordination with schools to ensure that treatment supports, rather than disrupts, a student’s educational goals.

If you are working with or caring for a student who may be struggling, our Clementine team is available to provide consultation, assessment, and guidance on next steps. Learn more about our programs and admissions here.

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The National Eating Disorders Association reports that a study of division 1 NCAA athletes revealed more than one-third of female athletes displayed symptoms and attitudes placing them at risk for anorexia nervosa. That doesn’t mean that male athletes face no risk. In fact, male and female athletes who are at elevated risk of developing eating disorders often participate in sports that emphasize the size of participants, including:

• Wrestling
• Bodybuilding
• Crew
• Running

For athletes, eating disorders are often driven by the compulsion to boost performance on the field, though, that certainly isn’t the only reason. 

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Why Athletes Are at Higher Risk for Eating Disorders

In addition to the belief some athletes have that losing weight will help them increase their performance, the common following risk factors for eating disorders in athletes raise the stakes for many athletes, creating heightened risks for developing eating disorders:

• Expectations to wear revealing athletic uniforms.
• Observing diets and eating practices of competitors and teammates.
• Observing exercise habits of competitors and teammates.
• Requirements to meet aggressive weight restrictions (especially in sports like gymnastics, wrestling, and diving).
• Participation in endurance sports.
• Achieving elite status as an athlete (or even the desire to do so).
• Irresponsible coaching, an unfortunate reality is that some coaches focus on performance and success rather than the development of the whole person.

It is often extremely difficult for young athletes to seek help for eating disorders. You train hard and believe that your diet and fitness regimen will help you improve your performance, so you can accomplish more in your field. It’s an admirable quality and part of the reason you’ve been so successful in your pursuits.

Common Eating Disorders in Athletes

The most common eating disorder in athletes is anorexia nervosa, though many athletes also experience bulimia nervosa and compulsive exercising as well.

Getting help to overcome an eating disorder shows a new commitment to excellence and strength. Despite efforts to boost performance through extreme dieting and exercising, many athletes experience diminished performance instead through dehydration, muscle injuries, glycogen depletion, hormonal disruption, and increased risks of injuries related to depleted bone density.

Where Can You Turn for Help Overcoming Eating Disorders in Athletes?

Eating disorder treatment for athletes allows elite performers to receive the highest level of medical and psychiatric care outside of a hospital so you can become fully recovered in a homelike setting.

In addition to dedicated professionals, some of whom have walked (run, etc.) a mile or two in your shoes, you will experience comprehensive academic and family support as you go through your treatment program. Athletes and eating disorders do not have to go hand in hand. You can find your path to your healthy self through a treatment program that encourages you to feel your feelings and challenge your thoughts.

As an athlete, you are always striving to accomplish new goals, raise your standards, and surpass expectations. The professionals caring for you at Monte Nido expect no less from you. They will challenge the way you think while tending to your soul. They will offer truth, even when truth is difficult to hear, without judgment.

It’s not only your body that needs to heal from an eating disorder. Your mind and spirit require healing as well. Working with a treatment center that operates under a human beings first, therapists second philosophy means you’re working with real people who are empathetic and gentle in their treatment of your condition, when the occasion calls for it, yet honest enough to provide a little nudge in the right direction when that is needed as well.

A Different Approach to Supporting Athletes and Eating Disorder Recovery

‍At Monte Nido, we understand the unique challenges young women face today with social media, socialization, and other contributing factors for developing eating disorders.

We also understand the unique challenges when it comes to athletes and eating disorders. Our purpose is to help you find your way back to your healthy self, so you can tell your eating disorder self goodbye for good. Whether you’re dealing with anorexia nervosa or any other eating disorder, we believe we can help you embrace your fully recovered self without sacrificing athletic performance or your good health.

Monte Nido is unique, offering highly individualized treatment plans for treating eating disorders common among athletes. We create an eating disorder treatment for athletes based on each patient’s individual and unique experience according to the sport she participates in, the specific eating disorder she is living with, contributing factors that may exacerbate her condition, and co-occurring conditions that may impact healing, treatment, or long-term recovery.

Contact us today to learn more about starting your recovery journey.

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When most people think of Anorexia Nervosa, they likely think of those struggling with distorted body image, long-term food restriction and severe weight loss.

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While those are prominent symptoms of this complex eating disorder, anorexia nervosa complications can also include medical risks you may not be aware of. Let’s take a look at some of the medical complications of anorexia nervosa:

1) Anemia and Anorexia

Anemia is a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bloodstream. RBCs house hemoglobin, a protein that enables RBCs to carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body, in addition to transporting carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled. The body requires folic acid, Vitamin B12 and iron (among other things) to produce RBCs, as well as hemoglobin.

A lack of these nutrients, commonly experienced by someone who is restricting food intake, often leads to anemia and inadequate oxygen transport throughout the body. It could also result in fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain and/or headache.

2) Anorexia and Constipation

Constipation generally involves either having difficulty with or the inability to make a bowel movement for an extended period of time. If there is no movement after 3-4 days, medical intervention is recommended.

People struggling with anorexia more frequently deal with constipation because of inadequate food and fluid intake that can cause decreased gastric motility (ability to move freely). This means that the intestines struggle to properly push food through the digestive system and produce a bowel movement. Those experiencing constipation likely feel an uncomfortable bloat or feeling of extreme fullness.

Initial treatment for constipation includes natural laxatives (prune juice, bananas, apples, melons, avocados, leafy green vegetables, raw seeds and nuts, legumes, etc.) before moving on (as is clinically appropriate) to stronger laxatives like Miralax, Dulcolax, Milk of Magnesia or enemas.

3) Anorexia and Dehydration

Most people might think of dehydration as not taking in enough water, or more specifically, when someone loses more water (through urination, defecation, sweating, vomiting, etc.) than they ingest. While this is true, a large percentage of dietary water also comes from solid foods. When someone restricts their food intake, they become more susceptible to dehydration.

Dehydration can manifest in a number of symptoms including thirst, dark-colored urine, infrequent urination, fatigue, dizziness and confusion. In more serious cases, it can cause a number of secondary complications, such as kidney failure, hypovolemic (low blood volume) shock, electrolyte imbalances and orthostatic hypotension. Treatment of mild dehydration generally begins with adding oral fluids and fortifying the patient’s diet while intravenous (IV) fluid is required in more severe cases.

4) Anorexia and Electrolyte Imbalances

Electrolyte imbalances, which are closely linked to dehydration, also commonly result from restricted diets. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride are essential for the body to function properly. If those electrolytes are not sufficiently represented in one’s diet (as is often the case with AN), the levels will dip and the body’s delicate balance will be thrown off.

The most frequent electrolyte imbalances seen in anorexia are hyponatremia (a low concentration of sodium ions in the bloodstream) and hypokalemia (a low concentration of potassium ions). A shortage of sodium in the body can impact brain function, causing nausea and vomiting, confusion, headache, fatigue, irritability, muscle weakness or cramps and seizures. Hypokalemia can impair muscle (especially heart) function, causing muscle weakness and cramping, an irregular heartbeat, abdominal cramping or bloating, thirst and frequent urination.

In addition to a balanced meal plan, electrolyte imbalances can be treated with dietary supplements (e.g. sodium chloride for hyponatremia, K-Dur for hypokalemia). In extreme cases, IV therapy is suggested.

5) Orthostatic Hypotension and Anorexia

Another complication of anorexia is orthostatic hypotension (OH), which is a drop in blood pressure when getting up from a laying to sitting position or from a sitting to a standing position.

OH is common in people suffering from anorexia because inadequate food and fluid intake can lead to dehydration which in turn, can cause low blood pressure. If someone is not taking in enough liquids, their overall fluid volume can decrease, resulting in a blood pressure insufficient to push blood to all parts of the body (most notably the brain). When blood pressure drops too much or too rapidly, the patient can experience dizziness or lightheadedness, blurry vision, weakness, confusion, nausea or fainting. Treatment generally includes addressing the underlying cause (usually dehydration in cases of anorexia), mostly with oral or IV fluids.

Reach Out for Help with Anorexia Nervosa Complications

The medical complications and risk around anorexia don’t stop with these five areas. Others may include low heart rate, osteoporosis, kidney failure, stunted physical growth and more.

If you – or someone close to you – is suffering from anorexia or experiencing any of the symptoms in this blog, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

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