UAE Parents Alarmed as Children as Young as Eight Develop Eating Disorder Behaviours

At first, Filipino expat Myrna Gomez didn’t recognise the reason behind her ten‑year‑old daughter’s sudden shift in eating. “She now barely eats, even her favourite meals go untouched,” she said.She now realises the change was likely sparked by seemingly harmless, casual comments from herself and other family members. Expressing sincere regret, the 40‑year‑old Dubai resident said she is committed to helping her daughter recover and has already sought help from a dietician for guidance.

A.K., a Jordanian mother, shares her concern over her 11-year-old son’s restrictive eating habits. After returning from a summer camp, he declared an intention to “eat healthier,” which initially seemed positive. However, his strict adherence to consuming no more than 1,000 calories daily, including using a food scale to measure intake, has raised concerns. His irritability and frequent checking of his stomach in the mirror indicate potential issues. A.K. emphasizes that at his age, it’s normal not to have a flat stomach or visible abs. She is seeking professional guidance to address these behaviors and support her son’s well-being.

Similarly, Carla Suarez, a Filipino resident in Dubai, discovered her 12-year-old daughter’s eating issues when a teacher noticed her discarding food at school. Initially, the family dismissed teasing comments about weight gain as harmless, but Carla later realized her daughter was taking them seriously. The girl now limits her diet to bananas, grapes, and steamed chicken, avoiding other foods she perceives as high in fat. Over time, she lost significant weight, leading to concerns about her health. Carla is now seeking professional help to address her daughter’s eating habits.

These cases highlight the growing concern of eating disorders among children and adolescents in the UAE. Healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of early intervention and open communication to address these issues effectively. Parents are encouraged to be vigilant and seek professional guidance if they notice signs of disordered eating in their children.

As young as eight year old children

Dr. Salman Kareem, a psychiatry specialist at Aster Clinic Dubai, has observed a concerning trend in the rising number of eating disorder cases among young individuals in the UAE. He notes a significant increase in diagnoses of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), particularly among younger children. Unlike anorexia, ARFID is not driven by a desire to lose weight but is characterized by an aversion to certain foods due to their texture, taste, or smell, or a fear of choking. Children with ARFID may consume only a limited range of foods, leading to potential nutritional deficiencies and weight loss.

Dr. Kareem also highlights a shift in gender patterns, noting that while eating disorders have traditionally been more prevalent among females, there is now an increasing number of cases among males as well. This change underscores the need for heightened awareness and early intervention across all demographics. Healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of addressing these issues promptly to prevent long-term physical and psychological health complications.

Tips For Parents

Dr. Salman Kareem, a psychiatry specialist at Aster Clinic Dubai, underscores the necessity of a collaborative approach involving nutritionists, pediatricians, and mental health experts to effectively address the multifaceted nature of eating disorders.

Adele Repas, a nutritional therapist based in Dubai, advises that seeking professional help is paramount. She recommends combining psychological support with nutritional therapy to foster a healthy relationship with food through mindful eating, rather than focusing on dieting or weight.

Joanne Proctor, a holistic nutritionist in Dubai, emphasizes the impact of language on children. She notes that pre-teens and teens are highly impressionable and that even casual remarks about weight or appearance can significantly affect their self-esteem.

These insights highlight the importance of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treating eating disorders, involving both professional intervention and mindful communication within the family.

How to deal with eating disorders

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. They can manifest in various forms, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. These disorders often coexist with other mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, making treatment more challenging.

What are the common eating disorders in children?

Children may experience anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). ARFID involves limited food intake without concerns about body weight. words. Everyone realizes why a new common language would be desirable.

What signs indicate a child might have an eating disorder?

Warning signs include sudden weight loss, preoccupation with food or body image, avoiding meals, excessive exercise, and mood swings. Early intervention is crucial.

What preventive measures can parents take?

Promote healthy eating habits, encourage positive body image, limit exposure to harmful media, and foster open discussions about food and feelings. Parental modeling is key. fact, it will be Occidental. To an English person, it will seem like simplified English, as a skeptical Cambridge friend of mine told me what Occidental is. The European languages are members of the same family. Their separate existence is a myth.