NEDA TOOLKIT for Parents
Physical Signs and Symptoms of an Eating Disorder
Those struggling with an eating disorder may have some, but not all, of the following physical signs and symptoms.
Presence of any of the signs that your loved one may be struggling is cause for serious concern and you should
encourage them to seek professional help.
• Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and
down • Stomach cramps, other non-specific
gastrointestinal complaints (constipation, acid
reflux, etc.)
• Menstrual irregularities — missing periods
or only having a period while on hormonal
contraceptives (this is not considered a “true”
period) • Difficulties concentrating
• Abnormal laboratory findings (anemia, low
thyroid and hormone levels, low potassium,
low blood cell counts, slow heart rate)
• Dizziness
• Fainting/syncope
• Feeling cold all the time
• Sleep problems
• Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints
(a result of inducing vomiting)
• Dental problems, such as enamel erosion,
cavities, and tooth sensitivity
• Dry skin
• Dry and brittle nails
• Swelling around area of salivary glands
• Fine hair on body
• Thinning of hair on head, dry and brittle hair
(lanugo) • Cavities, or discoloration of teeth, from
vomiting • Muscle weakness
• Yellow skin (in context of eating large amounts
of carrots)
• Cold, mottled hands and feet or swelling of feet
• Poor wound healing
• Impaired immune functioning
Signs of Anorexia Nervosa
• Dramatic weight loss
• Dresses in layers to hide weight loss or stay
warm • Is preoccupied with weight, food, calories, fat
grams, and dieting
• Refuses to eat certain foods, progressing to
restrictions against whole categories of food
(e.g., no carbohydrates, etc.)
• Makes frequent comments about feeling “fat”
or overweight despite weight loss
• Complains of constipation, abdominal pain,
cold intolerance, lethargy, and excess energy
• Denies feeling hungry
• Develops food rituals (e.g., eating foods in
certain orders, excessive chewing, rearranging
food on a plate)
• Cooks meals for others without eating
• Consistently makes excuses to avoid mealtimes
or situations involving food
• Maintains an excessive, rigid exercise regimen
– despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury, the
need to “burn off ” calories taken in
• Withdraws from usual friends and activities
and becomes more isolated, withdrawn, and
secretive • Seems concerned about eating in public
• Has limited social spontaneity
• Resists maintaining a body weight
appropriate for their age, height, and build
• Has intense fear of weight gain or being
“fat,” even though underweight
• Has disturbed experience of body weight
or shape, undue influence of weight or
shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the
seriousness of low body weight
• Postpuberty female loses menstrual period
• Feels ineffective
• Has strong need for control
• Shows inflexible thinking
• Has overly restrained initiative and
emotional expression
Page | 12