Eating little does not necessarily mean anorexia.

Byline: Ask Alan

Q Our daughter hardly eats anything.

Could she have anorexia? A First of all, don't assume the worst.

Yes, it's true that anorexia, as an eating disorder, has 'not eating' as one of its hallmarks.

But that's just one outward sign of an underlying, complex condition which has equally complex causes. Most children express some reluctance to eat at some time, for various reasons. Most girls are susceptible to suggestions that they need to be a certain weight or shape and many try to alter their eating habit radically to achieve this ideal - very few of them are 'anorexic' or become so. Is your daughter almost terrified of gaining weight? Does she persistently lie about eating? Does she do excessive exercise? Is there a real (as opposed to imaginary) and rapid loss in weight? If the eating habit is really taking over her life and causing damage, confronting her about it will be difficult and could easily make matters worse. She has to be persuaded to talk to your GP or a counsellor so they can make a fair judgement. The Eating Disorders Association has useful information which may help (www.edauk.com).