---
title: "Psych News Alert: Young Children Not Immune From Eating Disorders"
description: Eating disorders don't always wait until adolescence to appear. Young children who intentionally restrict their eating may have eating d...
image: https://alert.psychnews.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/anorexic%20boy%20in%20orange_79864006-Jun-24-2025-06-41-54-7784-PM.jpg
---

 11/22/11 12:00 AM

# Young Children Not Immune From Eating Disorders

![Picture of Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Psych%20News%20Email%20Banners/PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png?width=50&name=PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png) [ Psychiatric News Alert ](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert)

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Eating disorders don't always wait until adolescence to appear. Young children who intentionally restrict their eating may have eating disorders as well, according to a study published in the October *Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine*. But what actually prompts youngsters to develop eating disorders? Body dissatisfaction and especially body dissatisfaction coupled with depression are among the leading causes, according to a new study. To read more recent research on this topic, see the November 4th issue of *[Psychiatric News](http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsArticle.aspx?articleid=180760)* .

In-depth coverage of the etiology and treatments available for eating disorders can be found in the American Psychiatric Publishing book *[Clinical Manual of Eating Disorders](http://www.appi.org/SearchCenter/Pages/SearchDetail.aspx?ItemId=62270)*.

(Image: Jaimie Duplass/Shutterstock.com)

[eating disorders](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/eating-disorders), [bulimia nervosa](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/bulimia-nervosa), [binge eating disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/binge-eating-disorder), [anorexia nervosa](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/anorexia-nervosa)

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[eating disorders](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/eating-disorders), [preterm birth](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/preterm-birth), [JAMA Psychiatry](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/jama-psychiatry), [bulimia nervosa](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/bulimia-nervosa), [anorexia nervosa](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/anorexia-nervosa)

## [Eating Disorders Associated With Increased Risk of Pregnancy, Neonatal Complications](https://alert.psychnews.org/2019/11/eating-disorders-associated-with.html)

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 11/27/19 12:00 AM

Women who have or had an eating disorder are at increased risk of adverse outcomes during pregnancy...

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[![](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/scale_shutterstock_83395837-Jun-24-2025-06-11-21-3040-PM.jpg?height=200&name=scale_shutterstock_83395837-Jun-24-2025-06-11-21-3040-PM.jpg) ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2019/11/sexual-minorities-found-to-be-at.html)

[eating disorders](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/eating-disorders), [International Journal of Eating Disorders](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/international-journal-of-eating-disorders), [DSM-5](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/dsm-5), [bulimia nervosa](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/bulimia-nervosa), [binge eating disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/binge-eating-disorder), [anorexia nervosa](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/anorexia-nervosa), [sexual minorities](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/sexual-minorities)

## [Sexual Minorities Found to Be at Elevated Risk for Eating Disorders](https://alert.psychnews.org/2019/11/sexual-minorities-found-to-be-at.html)

![Picture of Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Psych%20News%20Email%20Banners/PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png?width=50&name=PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png) [Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert) 

 11/1/19 12:00 AM

People who are homosexual, bisexual, or unsure of their sexual orientation have both a higher risk...

[ Read more ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2019/11/sexual-minorities-found-to-be-at.html)

[![](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/anorexia%20woman_57910114-Jun-24-2025-04-23-00-4976-PM.jpg?height=200&name=anorexia%20woman_57910114-Jun-24-2025-04-23-00-4976-PM.jpg) ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2012/04/antipsychotic-may-improve-anorexia.html)

[eating disorders](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/eating-disorders), [olanzapine](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/olanzapine), [anorexia nervosa](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/anorexia-nervosa)

## [Antipsychotic May Improve Anorexia Nervosa](https://alert.psychnews.org/2012/04/antipsychotic-may-improve-anorexia.html)

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 4/10/12 12:00 AM

[ Read more ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2012/04/antipsychotic-may-improve-anorexia.html)

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