Episode 21: Beyond the Plate: Understanding Eating Disorders in Kids

Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Lindsey Waldman welcomes registered dietitian nutritionist Shelby Santin, who specializes in eating disorders, to discuss adolescent nutrition, misconceptions, and supportive family strategies. Santin explains her role goes beyond meal plans to address food rules, fears, and barriers to adequate intake, emphasizing that eating disorders can affect anyone and are often missed due to stereotypes about body size. She outlines initial steps after referral: thorough history, assessing nutritional adequacy, coordinating medical evaluation, and building a family-supported plan. They discuss distinguishing eating disorders from picky eating, and how to talk about weight and food using neutral language and avoiding “good/bad” labels, including recommending clinicians discuss weight concerns with parents without the child present. Santin stresses early intervention, notes recovery timelines vary (often 6–12 months or longer), recommends two books, and shares how families can contact her for virtual or in-person care. 00:00 Show Welcome 00:55 Meet Shelby Santin 02:42 What Dietitians Do 03:46 Eating Disorder Myths 04:49 First Appointment Steps 05:44 Picky Eating Or Disorder 07:24 Talking About Weight 10:27 Neutral Food Language 12:16 Treatment Phases 14:04 Recovery Timeline 16:14 Key Takeaways 18:00 Books and Resources 18:47 Contact and Wrap Up 20:08 Final Outro Medical Disclaimer: The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.