Photo credit: Laura Wills
A friend of mine shared that her teenager is struggling with an eating disorder. It worries me, as I have kids. What can I do?
As an eating disorder specialist, I have seen many concerned parents and scared children come through my office. The first and most important thing I can share with you is that an eating disorder is no one’s fault. These disorders are complex diseases that have biological, psychological and social contributing factors. If you believe your child is struggling with an eating disorder the most important thing you can do is seek professional help from qualified providers (if you need resources check out edreferral.com or recoverywarriors.com).
We recommend some preventative strategies that can help discourage the development of eating problems. They target the risk factors associated with eating disorders, such as body dissatisfaction, depression, basing self-esteem on appearance and body shaming.
Here are some tips on what you can do:
- Encourage “media literacy” by teaching adolescents to question media sources (magazines, movies, YouTube, TV, etc.) and cultural messages glorifying thin bodies as ideal. Get the conversation started by showing a video about body image, like the Dove Evolution clip available on YouTube.
- Be aware of your child’s exposure to media that glorifies unnatural body types, such as beauty magazines. If these items are readily available in your house, consider replacing them with body positive resources.
- Talk with your children about harmful social media trends like “thinsporation,” which seeks motivation to maintain an unnaturally low body weight. Instead of the traditional social media platforms, encourage your child to check out confidence-building communities like Proud2Bme.org.
- Promote positive body talk and healthy eating habits by example! Try not to discuss dieting or a desire to lose weight in front of kids. If you eat in a balanced way and engage in appropriate physical activity, your child is much more likely to follow in your footsteps.
- Have family dinners as frequently as possible! Research indicates the importance of sitting down together to share a meal. Not only does this strengthen relationships and promote family bonding, it can model healthy eating habits for your children. It’s also a way for you to observe any negative food behaviors and intervene early.
photo from N. Gasow
Nina Gasow, RD, LD
Nina Gasow is a Registered Dietitian specializing in eating disorder treatment. In her private practice, Nina is devoted to counseling those who are struggling with eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors by guiding and educating clients down their path of recovery. Nina is an advocate for positive body image and an expert on developing a balanced, non-restrictive relationship with food to take back the joy in eating.