Teen Loss of Appetite: Emotional and Physical Causes
Whereas once dinner was light-hearted and carefree, it now might have become a source of stress. This may be because your teenager, once an enthusiastic eater, now pushes food around their plate.
It’s normal for teens to lose their appetites from time to time. Growth spurts, periods of stress, and even food preferences can affect their eating patterns. However, if teen loss of appetite persists, this could indicate that something deeper is going on, such as a mental health condition.
Emotional causes of appetite loss can vary, often leaving parents perplexed about how to support their child. If you’re concerned about your child’s emotional and physical well-being, a mental health professional can provide the guidance you need.
This page can also help by exploring the different causes of teen loss of appetite, covering:
- How to understand appetite loss in teens
- When teen appetite loss might be cause for concern
- How to tell the difference between an eating disorder and loss of appetite
- The roles stress, anxiety, and depression play in appetite
- Therapy options for stress or anxiety-related appetite loss
Understanding Teen Loss of Appetite
Additionally, teenagers regularly experience hormonal changes that can also influence their eating patterns.2 In fact, there are a variety of factors that can influence teen loss of appetite, including:
Growth spurts- Illness
- Medications
- Tooth pain
- Eating schedules in school
- Tooth pain
- Changing food preferences
In other words, just because your child’s appetite has changed doesn’t mean that there is an underlying emotional issue. Yet, if teen appetite loss persists, it may be worth considering whether something more serious is at cause.
When Teen Loss of Appetite May Be a Cause for Concern
If you cannot attribute your child’s appetite loss to a temporary change in situation or development, then something more significant might be happening. It may also be important to consider the duration and severity of their symptoms.
Additionally, if your teen…
has significant weight loss- lower levels of energy
- is struggling to concentrate
- is showing signs of a mental health condition, such as fears around eating, or ongoing sadness…
…it is advisable to seek medical advice.10
Stress and anxiety are common causes of teen appetite loss. Plus, the possibility of an eating disorder is also naturally very worrisome for parents. Even if appetite changes are not due to a mental health condition or an eating disorder, it’s important to speak to a GP to determine whether there are any underlying medical issues.
Telling the Difference Between an Eating Disorder and a Stress-Related Loss of Appetite
The tricky thing is that eating disorders and stress-related loss of appetite in teens produce many of the same symptoms. However, their root causes differ largely.
Teenagers who eat less because of an eating disorder are often demonstrating a phobic reaction to weight gain. This reaction can stem from a variety of factors, such as personality traits like perfectionism or difficult life experiences. Eating disorders are also often accompanied by a sense of body dysmorphia, which is when someone has a distorted idea of their own appearance.3
In contrast, with stress-related loss of appetite, a teenager genuinely has a lack of interest in food due to their life circumstances. This often comes down to how the “fight or flight” response diverts focus away from digestive processes to allow for physical reactions to perceived threat.11
If your child has a stress-related loss of appetite, you might be able to trace this to a specific event. For example, a breakup, a sudden fallout with a friend group, or an exam period.
However, if you’re struggling to tell the difference between an eating disorder and stress-related appetite changes, seeking professional help is always advised. Chronic stress and eating disorders can both impact mental and physical well-being in significant ways. Therefore, early intervention can provide the best route to healing.
Why Stress Impacts Appetite
Acute or short-term stress is typically associated with a pause in appetite. In other words, when there’s a specific problem that’s making your teenager feel worried, they might temporarily lose interest in food. This is because, when the mind detects a potential threat, it triggers the body to release adrenaline, one of the stress chemicals, diverting energy away from digestion.4
This response is typically not harmful in the short term and can even motivate us to take action. However, if it continues without release, it can lead to chronic stress or anxiety. Chronic stress involves long-term cortisol production, which can initially contribute to an increased appetite.5 Hence why the term “comfort eating” is so well known, as it can temporarily suppress the cortisol response, providing relief.
However, each teen’s response to long-term stress can differ, as some can lose their appetite entirely. In fact, scientists have recently discovered a molecule in the brain that can trigger anxiety and increased weight loss.12 Therefore, recognizing physical symptoms of stress and emotional causes of appetite loss matters.
Teen wellness and mental health programs can help zero in on what is triggering stress and anxiety-related appetite changes in your teen.
Can Depression Influence Appetite?
Depression can alter eating habits in either direction. Many people actually eat more when they are depressed because fatty or sugar-filled foods can cause a temporary mood boost.6
However, depression also triggers many of the stress hormones mentioned previously. Therefore, if your child experiences either heightened adrenaline as a result of stress or a lack of motivation due to depression, they may lose interest in eating.
Depression is a serious mental health condition that can worsen without treatment. If your child displays symptoms such as hopelessness and ongoing sadness alongside appetite loss, it may be important to seek professional support.
Support for Teens With Eating Difficulties
The longer your child goes without proper nutrition, the more their situation might impact their physical and emotional health. For example:7
- Vitamin D deficiency can worsen experiences of depression
- Protein deficiency can slow growth, reduce energy levels, and impair immunofunction
- Extreme weight loss can slow the progression of puberty
- A lack of nutrition can increase the risk of infections and illness
Although, as a parent, you undoubtedly find this situation stressful, support is available. With professional assistance, your child can learn how to cope with their experiences of stress and get their body – and eating habits – back on track. The following sections cover the different options of support available for your child and family.
However, it’s important to note that these approaches are more suited for appetite loss relating to stress, anxiety, and depression. If you’re concerned that a teen has an eating disorder, a different approach will be required. A medical and mental health professional can advise you in this specific circumstance.
Therapy for Eating Changes in Teens
Therapy for eating changes in teens can help get to the heart of the problem. During a consultation with a licensed therapist, the professional will begin with a set of screener questions targeted at identifying the root cause of your child’s stress and anxiety.
Once they’ve figured out what is going on, they’ll most likely engage in a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Cognitive behavioral therapy is a short-form, action-based method of producing change.8
During sessions, your child will be encouraged to:
Monitor their thoughts- Develop coping mechanisms
- Challenge maladaptive thoughts and behaviors
Cognitive behavioral therapy is often effective for producing long-lasting changes. Therefore, acute symptoms of stress, such as appetite changes, will be addressed. However, your child will also be given behavioral strategies that they can apply to future stressors.
Therapy for Stress Management
A mental health professional may also choose to center their approach around mindfulness strategies to help a teen manage stress. These techniques involve focusing on the here and now, reducing anxiety and stress spirals. Common techniques include mindful breathing or grounding exercises.
Additionally, a therapist may incorporate mindfulness strategies with cognitive therapy. This approach is known as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and brings awareness to thoughts and feelings without judgment. It also teaches teens to respond to these thoughts and emotions in calmer ways.
Sometimes, medication is required to manage stress at a chemical level. SSRIs like Zoloft, Prozac, and Lexapro increase serotonin production, which can help suppress cortisol production.9 However, these are best used in conjunction with talk therapy.
Timeline for Recovery
Progress for stress-related changes in appetite will not necessarily be linear. Emotional causes of appetite loss may continue to resurface even in the face of well-developed coping strategies. Therefore, your teenager’s interest in food may still fluctuate in the early weeks following initial exposure to therapeutic strategies for stress management. This may especially be the case if they are prescribed a medication.
However, with time, practice, and adjustment, they should start to feel symptom relief – including a return of appetite. It’s important to communicate any changes – or lack of – to your healthcare provider during this period, as adjustments to their treatment can be made.
How Mission Prep Can Help With Teen Loss of Appetite
Appetite changes can be highly worrisome for parents, but you don’t have to figure out how to help alone.
Mission Prep specializes in adolescent mental health awareness and recovery strategies. Our team’s goal is to ensure that treatment targets each teen’s unique needs and goals, so our approaches are always personalized.
We offer specialized outpatient and residential treatment programs in various locations for recovery from a range of mental health conditions. Therefore, you’ll find a safe, welcoming environment designed to provide compassionate care and evidence-based therapies. Contact us today if you’re interested in hearing more about the services we offer and how we can help.
References
- Caruso, L., Zauli, E., & Vaccarezza, M. (2023). Physical Exercise and appetite regulation: new insights. Biomolecules, 13(8), 1170. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13081170
- Yeung, A. Y., & Tadi, P. (2023, January 3). Physiology, obesity, neurohormonal appetite and satiety control. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555906/
- NHS. (n.d.). Body dysmorphia: Overview. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/body-dysmorphia/
- Ans, A. H., Anjum, I., Satija, V., Inayat, A., Asghar, Z., Akram, I., & Shrestha, B. (2018). Neurohormonal Regulation of Appetite and Its Relationship with Stress: A Mini Literature Review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.3032
- Chao, A. M., Jastreboff, A. M., White, M. A., Grilo, C. M., & Sinha, R. (2017). Stress, cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones: Prospective prediction of 6-month changes in food cravings and weight. Obesity, 25(4), 713–720. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.21790
- Selhub, E., MD. (2022, September 18). Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626
- Akpınar, Ş., & Karadağ, M. G. (2022). Is vitamin D important in anxiety or depression? What is the truth? Current Nutrition Reports, 11(4), 675–681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-022-00441-0
- Seligman, L. D., & Ollendick, T. H. (2011). Cognitive-Behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders in youth. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 20(2), 217–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2011.01.003
- Tafet, G. E., Idoyaga-Vargas, V. P., Abulafia, D. P., Calandria, J. M., Roffman, S. S., Chiovetta, A., & Shinitzky, M. (2001). Correlation between cortisol level and serotonin uptake in patients with chronic stress and depression. Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience, 1(4), 388–393. https://doi.org/10.3758/cabn.1.4.388
- First 5 California. (n.d.). What can cause a loss of appetite in children? https://www.first5california.com/en-us/articles/what-can-cause-a-loss-of-appetite-in-children/
- Friedlander, J. (2025, May 20). Anxiety and loss of appetite: What to do about it. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/anxiety-lose-appetite
- Scripps Research. (2019, January 17). Scientists discover link in brain between anxiety and weight loss. Scripps. https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2019/20190117-xu-baoji-anxiety-and-weight-loss.html
