WOMEN | BODY IMAGE | EATING DISORDERS

The Agony of an Eating Disorder

How to prevent your child from suffering

When parents discover their teen has an eating disorder, they go through a rollercoaster of emotions.

Many get angry with their teen and try to stop the behavior with a heavy hand. Some feel guilty and wonder where they went wrong.

If the parent had an eating disorder as a teen, it might trigger the struggle, the feelings of not being good enough, and all the angst comes rushing back to consciousness.

Eating disorders are severe issues that can have a profound and lasting effect on children and adolescents—estimated that one in every hundred adolescents will suffer from an eating disorder at some point.

Most eating disorders are rooted in need for control. Unfortunately, children and adolescents with eating disorders often feel that they are not in control of their lives and that their eating habits are one of the few things they can control.

The good news is that there are things you can do to help prevent your child from experiencing the agony of an eating disorder. Read on to learn some things to help prevent eating disorders.

Be a Good Role Model for Your Children

My mother is now 93, and I love her with all my heart; however, she had been a chubby child and struggled with her weight throughout her life. She went on one diet after another and would announce when she lost a quarter of a pound. Unfortunately, my sister and I grew up in Los Angeles, where all the beautiful people lived. We also tried many diets, and I had an eating disorder for 15 years.

Research reveals that parents can help prevent eating disorders in their kids by being good role models. Children oversee their parents to learn how to be. When your child sees parents comfortable in their bodies, they know to be comfortable in theirs.

Help Children Learn about their Developing Bodies

When I was 13 years old, I remember feeling like a Butterball turkey. It seemed like all of a sudden, and I turned into a round ball. In my mind, I thought I would be fat forever! In those days, people knew little about child development and how to help them cope.

Now we know it is essential to prepare children for the changes in their bodies; the body goes through changes, and many are not permanent. Therefore, it is necessary to help your child learn about body changes, mainly if they express unhappy feelings about themselves.

Creating an Eating Disorder in Your Child

Criticizing a child or adolescent's body is the worst thought a parent or another adult can do to a child. Many tweens 10–12 gain weight as they move into puberty.

Tweens are also self-conscious of their bodies. Some adults get triggered because they struggle with their weight issues at the same age. People want to help their children but criticizing their bodies reinforces their concerns. Kids begin to compare themselves to others at school. Many feel they will never have the body they want.

Wounds to self-esteem can last a lifetime.

Parents who Micromanage Kids' Food May Be Contributing to Eating Disorders

As children get older, they want to feel that they have some power and control. Parents who tell their children what they can and cannot eat render them powerless.

Kids may develop an eating disorder to regain control. Parents must help kids learn about healthy foods. However, kids need to feel they can choose the treats and foods they like.

Parents who worry kids are overeating food can ask if their child feels hungry. Stay away from the role of being the food police.