Do you ever say "I'm too fat" or "I need to go on a diet" in front of your son or daughter? How often do you make these comments when the kids are around?
As a parent or caregiver, you can help prevent eating disorders before they occur by being aware of the impact you have and by serving as a good role model. Adopt a healthy lifestyle by keeping physically fit, eating more nutritious foods, letting your teen help you prepare well-balanced meals, and staying away from crash diets. It's also important to model self-esteem for your teen. If your teen hears you say things like "I'm too fat" about your own body, she may end up thinking the same way about hers.
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, February 24 to March 1, 2008, is a great time to promote and reinforce your teen's positive body image and healthy eating habits and to adopt these practices for yourself. This year's theme is "Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the TRUE you."
What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is marked by extremes—when a person eats very little or way too much food and usually feels deep distress or concern about body weight or shape.1 A person with an eating disorder may have started out eating smaller or larger amounts of food than usual, but at some point, the urge to eat less or more spirals out of control.2
What causes eating disorders?
Eating disorders are complex health issues, and researchers are still trying to pinpoint exactly what causes them. We do know that dieting, personal or family history of obesity or eating disorders, substance abuse, and depression are factors that contribute to eating disorders. People with eating disorders also tend to be overly self-critical and have low self-esteem.
How can I help my child build a healthy body image?
It is never a good idea to tease or make fun of your child’s appearance. Encourage your teen to maintain a healthy weight rather than conform to a “beauty ideal.” Remember, a number on a scale is not necessarily a good indicator of how healthy a personʼs weight is. The body mass index (BMI), which measures the amount of body fat and muscle a person has, is a more reliable indicator; an excess of body fat is always unhealthy, as is a lack of sufficient body fat and muscle. A doctor can help you and your teen determine whether he is at a healthy weight.
The Nation’s obsession with thinness can have devastating consequences for teens. It’s important for parents and caregivers to be on the lookout for warning signs, which may include:
- Complaining about being fat,
- Skipping meals,
- Avoiding certain foods,
- Wearing bulky clothing, and
- Showing fear of gaining weight.
Physical signs include:
- Slower breathing rate,
- Discontinued menstruation,
- Growth of fine hair on the body,
- Dry skin,
- Brittle hair and nails,
- Lightheadedness,
- Constipation, and
- Joint swelling.
Your teen may feel cold all of the time as her body temperature falls. The next symptoms can be lethal: Starvation, heart failure, kidney failure, or other fatal consequences can follow.3
If you think your teen may have an eating disorder, consult your family doctor. An eating disorder often is connected to mental health issues, so be ready to seek help from a counselor or mental health professional.
Ignoring the problem or thinking that it will go away on its own may only cause the child more medical problems.
Additional Resources
|
Home | Site Map | SAMHSA | Frequently Asked Questions | About Us | Contact Us | Join Our E-mail Update
Talk With Your Child 
