Myth #1: 
Not eating only impacts muscle and body fat. 

Reality: 
Eating disorders can cause severe malnutrition that affects nearly every organ system. 

• Malnutrition may lead to a dangerously slow or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, or even heart failure. 
• Your child may struggle with irritability, mood swings, and concentration difficulties. 
• Slowed digestion can lead to abdominal pain, constipation, and bloating. 
• Girls may stop menstruating, which weakens bones; boys may have low testosterone levels. 
• Risks also include anemia, impaired immunity, bleeding problems, and delayed growth or puberty in children. 

Myth #2: 
Eating disorders are a choice not to eat enough food. 

Reality: 
Eating disorders are serious, complex medical and psychological conditions—they are not a choice. 

Myth #3: 
I am to blame for my child’s eating disorder. 

Reality: 
Research shows eating disorders are caused by both genetic and environmental influences. A person's genetic makeup may increase their vulnerability, while social pressures can trigger the condition. 

Myth #4: 
Only females develop eating disorders. 

Reality: 
While more prevalent in females, eating disorders affect both men and women. 

Myth #5: 
It’s unusual for children with eating disorders to have other mental health conditions. 

Reality: 
It is very common for individuals with eating disorders to also struggle with depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

Myth #6: 
Eating disorders are not fatal. 

Reality: 
Eating disorders are the most deadly psychiatric illnesses, with up to 20% of individuals with chronic anorexia nervosa dying from the disorder without treatment. 

Myth #7: 
Eating disorders are extremely rare. 

Reality: 
Eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness in adolescents, following obesity and asthma. 

Myth #8: 
Weight restoration means full recovery. 

Reality: 
Recovery involves much more than weight gain. Since eating disorders are rooted in mental health, emotional support and therapy are crucial. Your child needs help managing thoughts and feelings about food and body image—mental health care is essential. 

Myth #9: 
Recovery is not possible. 

Reality: 
With proper treatment, 60% of people with eating disorders fully recover. You can support your child by offering love, encouragement, and by making sure they’re guided by a team that includes an experienced physician, registered dietitian, and mental health professional.