eating disorders
A Parent's Role
- Examine your attitudes and behaviors regarding weight and appearance. Talk with your children about genetic differences in body types and the devastating effects of prejudice.
- Examine what you are modeling — acceptance of self in all circumstances, appropriate and reasonable measures to deal with body functioning and size or self-condemnation, open or subtle criticism of spouse's body, extreme diets, etc.
- Examine your dreams and goals for your children and other loved ones. Are you overemphasizing physical appearance and body shape, particularly for girls?
- Avoid categorizing foods as "good" and "bad" and be a good role model by eating sensibly, using exercise as a path to good health and enjoyment and accepting yourself.
- Do not avoid activities (such as swimming, sunbathing, etc.) because they call attention to your weight and shape.
- Do whatever you can to encourage your teenager's self-respect based on intellectual, spiritual, athletic and social endeavors.
- Practice and demonstrate taking people for what they say, feel and do — not for how thin they are.
- Be committed to helping your family become discerning regarding media messages which distort the true diversity of human body types and imply that a slender body means happiness and success.
- Discuss celebrities whose lives are dysfunctional and filled with problems in spite of having the "perfect body."
- Look at what's wrong with the message "thin is best" rather than what's wrong with your body.
- Educate your children about weight discrimination and their responsibilities for preventing it.
- Remember, if parents are sensible about food, kids will be too.
Background Information
Contributing Factors
Although the following influences do not constitute a comprehensive list of contributing factors, they are often present in eating disorders.
A New Type of Internet Predator
Parents beware of yet another threat girls face—Web sites encouraging binging and purging.
Model Behavior
When it comes to food and dieting, teens are imitating the stars all the way to illness.
Recognizing an Eating Disorder
Don't miss the signs. Parents need to know how to recognize anorexia and bulimia.
Starving for Acceptance
Here's a parent's guide to eating disorders.
Questions and Answers
Why doesn't someone with an eating disorder just stop?
Answer
Review Frequently Asked Questions
Stories
No One's Immune
As the daughter of a Christian physician proves, eating disorders aren't always caused by obvious risk factors.
If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.Share Your Story
Other Things to Consider
Starting the Healing
Hope comes from knowing we are created by God.
Related Topics
Relationships: Blended Families, Parents and Adult Children
Transitions: Preparing for Adolescence, Empty Nest
