Thinking About Eating Disorders

Allow me to tell you the story of a friend of mine.

A young teenage girl we know recently suffered through the death of her mother and consequently had to be faced with being raised by her father in whom she was petrified of. Did I mention she was to be in charge of raising her 6 younger brothers and sisters.

She was always thin, but now weighs 90 pounds. She doesn’t think she has a problem and her father doesn’t think she has a problem. There are many questions in this situation, the major one being does she have an eating disorder. If she does have an eating disorder, what type is it….anorexia, bulimia?

It’s clear she needs help, others have tried, however her father prevents any intervention. The question becomes, what is causing the eating disorder? That’s why I assembled this collection of articles and ebooks on eating disorders. Hopefully, you…the reader, might see yourself or someone you care about in the articles to come. Perhaps you might see that you are experiencing the symptoms discussed for anorexia or bulimia. Maybe you binge eat.

In a society that is increasingly placing standards of beauty upon the youths of our population, people are at more of a risk than ever when it comes to developing an eating disorder. The celebrities in television and the media display stick-thin figures which can create a high standard of beauty that can lead to many problems with an individual’s self esteem. When coupled with the fact that an obesity epidemic is overtaking much of the modern world, it’s important to have a full understanding of the eating disorders which are prevalent in society today in order to be able to catch the warning signs when an individual you know is afflicted.

This truly is a life and death discussion. Admitting you might have an eating disorder of some type is the first step in finding a solution to your problem. I pray that you might listen to the voice inside your head as you read the following material.

 

Parents are Key in Preventing an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders are complex conditions that can be difficult to treat. In many cases, an eating disorder will develop slowly over time, with symptoms progressively becoming more severe. Many times, the compulsive nature of the eating disorder will become obvious at the most early stages of the condition. It is during these early stages that intervention may be most possible. Parents play a key role in preventing eating disorders in their children. Health professionals tell us that parents who are capable of maintaining a healthy attitude toward their own bodies empower children to do the same.

As a parent, you are the most important role model for your children. Here are six ways that you can help prevent an eating disorder from developing in your family.

1. Be positive about your own body. Avoid making negative statements about your body. Children learn from their parents, and may begin to mirror your own dissatisfaction. Be aware that if you demonstrate preoccupation or excessive concern about your weight and physical appearance, your children may begin to mirror this behavior. Even if you find you cannot conquer your own weight obsession, try not to pass it on to your children.

2. If your child expresses concern about their weight, remind them that people come in all shapes and sizes. Remind them that physical appearance is not the most important thing about their identity, and that beauty is not necessarily defined by how thin they are.

3. Avoid the idea of 'being perfect.' Studies have shown that individuals who consider themselves perfectionists are more prone to developing an eating disorder. With this finding in mind, parents should take care not to exert too much pressure on their children to be 'perfect'. While all parents should encourage their children to excel in many areas of life, they should refrain from pressuring their children into the role of sports star or student achiever. Parents should also refrain from reigning in their own instinct to be a perfectionist; parents will often convey the anxieties associated with perfectionism in an unconscious manner to their own children.

4. Model healthy behavior for your children. Children absorb so much of what you say and do, even when you think they are not paying attention. One of the best ways to prevent an eating disorder from developing in your family is by modeling healthy behaviors and making them a permanent part of your life. This means preparing healthy meals and getting some form of regular exercise. Teach your children to eat diverse kinds of foods in moderation. Don't make them feel guilty for eating certain foods. Also, teach them that exercise need not be a chore, but can be something that is fun.

5. Be informed about the messages your children are receiving from peers, TV, movies, fashion magazines, and other influences in their life. Find out how your children are interpreting messages from their friends and the media. Discuss these messages with them. Many children and young adults receive their idea about beauty from media messages and peers. If this is the case, talk to your children about the unrealistic standards that these messages seem to convey, and work to counteract these messages.

Written by: Scott Parat