Overeating in Teens

Definition and Prevalence

• Overeating is defined as consuming more food than needed, often with feelings of guilt or disgust afterward. Overeating is commonly referred to as binge eating or compulsive eating, and it involves eating a large quantity of food, usually junk food, without vomiting afterward. A 2003 University of Minnesota study published in "Pediatrics," reports that 17.3 percent of girls and 7.8 percent of boys admitted to overeating in the past year. According to HealthyChildren.org, one-third of obese girls who seek treatment are compulsive eaters.

Causes

• There are certain biological reasons why your teen might overeat, according to nonprofit health resource KidsHealth. Some teens' brains might not send the proper messages signalling fullness, which can cause overeating because a teen doesn't realize that his stomach is already full. An improper balance of serotonin, which is a brain neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, can also cause overeating in a teenager. Eating habits learned during childhood can also play a role. If a child is always forced to clean his plate, he might not learn to recognize his body's cues that he's full. Many teens also learn to eat in response to stress, sadness and other emotions. Perhaps a parent offers ice cream after a rough day at school, which sends the wrong messages about eating for fuel rather than comfort.

Signs

• The behavioral signs of overeating include a preoccupation with food, depression and withdrawal from friends and family. Many teens also keep secret stashes of food, such as candy and potato chips, in their bedrooms. Because most teens only overeat in private, their secret stashes are what they often turn to when they feel the need to eat. Catching your teen sneaking food is another red flag that she might be overeating. Noticeable weight gain, sleeping more than normal and constant complaints of abdominal discomfort are additional signs that a teen might be overeating.

Considerations

• Talk to your teen about healthy eating habits and model appropriate eating behaviors, FamilyDoctor.org recommends. Teens who learn appropriate eating behaviors from a young age are less likely to become compulsive eaters as they get older. If you suspect that your teen is overeating, make an appointment with her pediatrician. Often, teens overeat because of another underlying condition, such as depression or anxiety, and treating those conditions can reduce or eliminate the overeating behaviors. Untreated compulsive eating can lead to obesity, as well as severe mental disorders. According to the University of Minnesota study, 28.6 percent of girls and 27.8 percent of boys who met the criteria for binge eating had attempted suicide at least once.