Pediatric Anorexia Nervosa
Child & Teen Anorexia Nervosa
Has your child or teenager become increasingly fearful of food, weight gain, or eating—even when you know their body desperately needs nourishment?
Maybe you've noticed them skipping meals, eating less and less over time, avoiding entire food groups, exercising excessively, or becoming increasingly anxious around food. Perhaps family meals have become stressful, you're constantly worried about their health, or you feel like you're walking on eggshells because you're afraid of saying the wrong thing.
If this sounds familiar, I want you to know you're not alone—and neither is your child.
Anorexia Nervosa is a serious mental health condition and eating disorder that affects far more than food or body weight. It impacts physical health, emotional well-being, brain function, relationships, school performance, and everyday life. Recovery can feel overwhelming for both the individual and the entire family, but with the right treatment team and support, healing is absolutely possible.
At Kendra's Kustom Nutrition, my goal isn't simply to help your child eat more—it's to help them rebuild a healthy relationship with food while supporting medical stability, nutritional rehabilitation, and long-term recovery. Every child's journey is different, which is why I create individualized nutrition plans that meet them where they are while working closely with parents and the rest of their healthcare team.
This work is deeply personal to me. As a teenager, I personally struggled with Anorexia Nervosa. During my own recovery, I met with a Registered Dietitian for the first time, and that experience completely changed the direction of my life. It was through my dietitian that I discovered this profession even existed, and I realized I wanted to help other individuals and families navigate the same challenges. I entered college knowing I wanted to study Dietetics and have never looked back. Today, I have the privilege of combining my professional training with lived experience to provide compassionate, evidence-based care. While every recovery journey is unique, I understand firsthand both the fear that comes with an eating disorder and the hope that recovery is truly possible.
Together, we may work on:
- Supporting nutritional rehabilitation and restoration of normal growth and development
- Creating individualized meal plans that promote healing without unnecessary rigidity
- Addressing food fears, food rules, and restrictive eating behaviors
- Reducing anxiety surrounding meals and snacks
- Helping parents feel more confident supporting recovery at home
- Challenging diet culture messages and building a healthier relationship with food
- Identifying and correcting nutrient deficiencies
- Supporting the return of normal growth, development, hormones, and overall health
- Developing lifelong nutrition habits that support lasting recovery
Because Anorexia Nervosa affects both physical and mental health, nutrition counseling is only one part of recovery. When appropriate, I'm happy to review laboratory results and collaborate with your child's pediatrician, primary care provider, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, adolescent medicine physician, or other members of their healthcare team to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals. I strongly believe the best outcomes happen when the treatment team communicates and supports one another.
I also recognize that eating disorders affect the entire family. Parents often feel frightened, exhausted, confused, or unsure of how to help. My goal is to provide education, encouragement, and practical guidance so you feel supported throughout your child's recovery—not judged. Together, we'll create strategies that reduce conflict around meals while helping your child continue moving toward recovery.
Recovery from Anorexia Nervosa isn't always a straight line, and setbacks can happen. What matters most is continuing to move forward with compassion, consistency, and the right support system. Every meal is an opportunity for healing, and every step forward—no matter how small—is meaningful.
Whether your child was recently diagnosed or has been struggling for years, they deserve compassionate, evidence-based care that recognizes both the medical and emotional complexities of an eating disorder. Together, we'll work to restore nourishment, rebuild trust with food, and help your child move toward a healthier, more fulfilling future.
