When Food Feels Scary: Eating Disorders in Kids & Teens (Early Signs & What Helps)

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

April 22, 2026

Duration

41m

Channel

Good Inside with Dr. Becky

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Eating disorders affect an estimated 30 million Americans in their lifetime. They are common. They are serious. And they are not caused by “bad parenting.”Dr. Sheryl revisits a recent conversation between Dr. Becky and Dr. Erin Parks, Chief Clinical Officer at Equip Health, to talk about eating disorders and disordered eating in kids and teens—what the early signs look like, what’s happening emotionally underneath, and how parents can respond without escalating shame or control struggles. In this episode, we cover:

• Early warning signs of eating disorders in kids and teens (including boys)
• When “healthy eating” becomes rigid or concerning
• The role of perfectionism and control
• How diet culture shows up in family language
• What shame sounds like inside a teen’s head
• How to hold boundaries around health without turning food into a power struggle
• When it’s time to seek professional help

Disordered eating behaviors are not about vanity or defiance—they’re often attempts to regulate overwhelming feelings. This conversation will help you feel more oriented, more compassionate, and clearer about your role.Equip Health is a sponsor of "The In-Between Years."Learn more about [Good Inside](http://www.goodinside.com/?utm_source=podcast_teen&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=teen_evergreen&utm_content=shownotes_20260422_Equip).

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Dr. Erin Parks

  guest

  Eating-disorders clinician specializing in assessment and treatment of eating disorders in kids and teens.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Good Inside with Dr. Becky, featuring Dr. Becky and Dr. Erin Parks, When Food Feels Scary: Eating Disorders in Kids & Teens (Early Signs & What Helps) explores Recognizing early eating disorder signs and how parents should respond Eating disorders and disordered eating often start with socially praised behaviors like “clean eating,” increased exercise, or subtle restriction, making early problems easy for parents to rationalize away.

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