Protecting Kids From Disordered Eating
December 23rd, 2010 10:22 AM
As a parent, you protect your children from anything that might harm them. But what if the harm comes from your child? If you are a parent with a child affected by an eating disorder, what do you do? How you know it’s a disorder? How can you help? How can you help prevent it?
The National Institute of Mental Health defines eating disorders as “serious disturbances in eating behaviour such as an extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake, severe overeating, and/or purging behaviours, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight.” The most common types are:
• Anorexia Nervosa, characterized by self-starvation and extreme weight loss.
• Bulimia Nervosa, characterized by a repeated cycle of binge-eating followed by purging through, vomiting, laxative use and/or over exercising.
• Binge Eating Disorder, also known as compulsive overeating, characterised primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive eating beyond feeling comfortably full.
• Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified, where eating behaviours are disordered -- such as restricting or purging -- but do not meet the strict criteria for another specific eating disorder.
Not only are eating disorders a response to psychological factors but also eating disorders result in serious emotional impact and physical effects. Eating disorders can become life threatening if left untreated. Many eating disorders go undetected for a lengthy period of time in part due to the secretive nature of the behaviours. Warning signs such as moodiness and irritability can be a part of normal child development especially during adolescence, making it difficult for a parent to make a distinction. Watch for:
• Noticeable changes in their child’s weight.
• Increased preoccupation with body shape and/or weight.
• Unusual food rituals or secretive eating patterns.
• Reduced concentration, fatigue or social withdrawal.
• Wearing baggy or layered clothes.
• Chronic sore throat and/or swollen glands, hair loss, pale or “grey” skin.
• Anxiety and fear around meal times, avoiding family dinners.
• Going to the bathroom or private space immediately after eating.
• Lying about how much she or he has eaten or how much she or he weighs.
If you suspect your child may be struggling with an eating disorder, gently approach him or her about your concerns but expect denial or even anger. Understand that your child may be hiding the reality or the seriousness of the behaviours from him or herself as well as you.
Get educated about eating disorders, find professional help for your child and support for your family. Eating disorders can be treated and health restored. The sooner these disorders are diagnosed and treated, the better the outcomes are likely to be. Trust your instincts -- you know your child best. But contact a health professional if you are concerned.
How to prevent eating disorders
Begin with yourself:
• Examine your thoughts, attitudes and behaviours toward your own body and how they were shaped.
• Make an effort to maintain positive, healthy attitudes and behaviours around food, weight and body shape. Keep your battles with weight and body image away from your children. Even very young children pick up on a parent’s negative body image.
• Be a good role model with respect to sensible eating, exercise and self acceptance.
• Don’t comment about or criticize other people’s weight.
With your children:
• Avoid using food as a reward or a punishment.
• Teach your child to eat when hungry and stop when full.
• Give boys and girls the same opportunities and encouragement.
• Help your child appreciate and resist the ways in which TV, magazine and movies portray unrealistic images of bodies and undermine self-esteem.
• Consistently promote your child’s self esteem and self respect. Don’t focus on how your child looks – emphasize other positive qualities like being intelligent, funny, kind or athletic.
Food is necessary for survival, intrinsic to cultures, traditional in celebrations and holidays and a potential for everyday delights and pleasures. Healthy relationships with food provide a lifelong freedom and satisfaction, emotionally and physically. You can be part of teaching and providing for your children in this very special way.
Abby Petterson MA is a Registered Clinical Counsellor & Certfied Canadian Counsellor. www.pettersonandassociates.com
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Aug - Sep 07
The National Institute of Mental Health defines eating disorders as “serious disturbances in eating behaviour such as an extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake, severe overeating, and/or purging behaviours, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight.” The most common types are:
• Anorexia Nervosa, characterized by self-starvation and extreme weight loss.
• Bulimia Nervosa, characterized by a repeated cycle of binge-eating followed by purging through, vomiting, laxative use and/or over exercising.
• Binge Eating Disorder, also known as compulsive overeating, characterised primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive eating beyond feeling comfortably full.
• Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified, where eating behaviours are disordered -- such as restricting or purging -- but do not meet the strict criteria for another specific eating disorder.
Not only are eating disorders a response to psychological factors but also eating disorders result in serious emotional impact and physical effects. Eating disorders can become life threatening if left untreated. Many eating disorders go undetected for a lengthy period of time in part due to the secretive nature of the behaviours. Warning signs such as moodiness and irritability can be a part of normal child development especially during adolescence, making it difficult for a parent to make a distinction. Watch for:
• Noticeable changes in their child’s weight.
• Increased preoccupation with body shape and/or weight.
• Unusual food rituals or secretive eating patterns.
• Reduced concentration, fatigue or social withdrawal.
• Wearing baggy or layered clothes.
• Chronic sore throat and/or swollen glands, hair loss, pale or “grey” skin.
• Anxiety and fear around meal times, avoiding family dinners.
• Going to the bathroom or private space immediately after eating.
• Lying about how much she or he has eaten or how much she or he weighs.
If you suspect your child may be struggling with an eating disorder, gently approach him or her about your concerns but expect denial or even anger. Understand that your child may be hiding the reality or the seriousness of the behaviours from him or herself as well as you.
Get educated about eating disorders, find professional help for your child and support for your family. Eating disorders can be treated and health restored. The sooner these disorders are diagnosed and treated, the better the outcomes are likely to be. Trust your instincts -- you know your child best. But contact a health professional if you are concerned.
How to prevent eating disorders
Begin with yourself:
• Examine your thoughts, attitudes and behaviours toward your own body and how they were shaped.
• Make an effort to maintain positive, healthy attitudes and behaviours around food, weight and body shape. Keep your battles with weight and body image away from your children. Even very young children pick up on a parent’s negative body image.
• Be a good role model with respect to sensible eating, exercise and self acceptance.
• Don’t comment about or criticize other people’s weight.
With your children:
• Avoid using food as a reward or a punishment.
• Teach your child to eat when hungry and stop when full.
• Give boys and girls the same opportunities and encouragement.
• Help your child appreciate and resist the ways in which TV, magazine and movies portray unrealistic images of bodies and undermine self-esteem.
• Consistently promote your child’s self esteem and self respect. Don’t focus on how your child looks – emphasize other positive qualities like being intelligent, funny, kind or athletic.
Food is necessary for survival, intrinsic to cultures, traditional in celebrations and holidays and a potential for everyday delights and pleasures. Healthy relationships with food provide a lifelong freedom and satisfaction, emotionally and physically. You can be part of teaching and providing for your children in this very special way.
Abby Petterson MA is a Registered Clinical Counsellor & Certfied Canadian Counsellor. www.pettersonandassociates.com
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Aug - Sep 07
