While the precise prevalence of disordered eating among overweight and obese youth remains uncertain, research indicates that young adults (aged 18 year-24 year) with obesity are 2.45 times more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors compared to their peers with Body Mass Indexes (BMI) within the normal range. This review aims to underscore the significance of disordered eating and eating disorders in the context of pediatric obesity and emphasizes the importance of conducting screenings for these conditions. Detecting and evaluating disordered eating can have a substantial impact on the direction of treatment. Lacking insight into the relationship between obesity and disordered eating, healthcare providers may persist with conventional treatment approaches. This approach could unintentionally reinforce internalized weight bias in individuals with obesity and worsen their symptoms and behaviors related to disorder eating. Furthermore, comprehending the varying degrees of disordered eating within pediatric patients dealing with obesity enables healthcare providers to personalize treatments, engage in different discussions about nutrition and physical activity, and determine the appropriate moments to refer patients to specialists in eating disorders for ongoing care.
