Eating Disorders

Eating disorders is one of the silent killers affecting our youth.Culture and American medic have a huge impact. Kids are exposed to thousand of hours watching thinness equated with personal happiness, love and financial success. It’s really no wonder young people turn to weight loss as away to solve their problems.

In the United States, 5-10 million girls and women and 1 million boys and men struggle with eating disorders. Half of adolescent females report dieting before the age of 14.Children as young as 6 years old are being diagnosed with eating disorders.They are occurring more frequently in ages 6-12. Although this has been a disorder affecting young girls and women, males are also starting to adopt this behavior. 50-75% of preteen girls are dieting.Girls who diet prior to age14 are eight times more likely to develop eating disorders. The key to preventing always comes to parents being aware of the possibilities, understanding the warning signs and keeping contact communication with their children.

Here are some contributing factors to eating disorders:

Abuse
Dysfunctional/Chaotic family systems
Perfectionist & obsessional personality traits
Peer influence
Low self esteem
Helplessness and need for control
Social anxiety and lack of social skills
Family history of Eating Disorder

Warning signs:

Weight loss
Intense fear of being overweight: Preoccupied with thinness, scales and mirrors
Preoccupied with dieting and food
Eating little
Bathroom breaks: bathroom use during/after meals suggest vomiting to purge calories
Excessive caffeine use
Social withdrawal
Onset of hyperactivity – fidgeting, excessive exercise
Skin – hair problems – dry skin , dry hair, hair loss & fine hair growth
Swollen salivary glands – “chipmunk cheeks”
Mood changes, anxiety, depression, obsessions
Intolerant of cold
Count calories & fat grams
Preoccupied with “healthy eating” fitness exercise
Fear foods
Excessive gum chewing – to curb hunger

Medical Complications of Eating Disorders in Children

Malnutrition
Stunted growth
Bone loss
Decreased brain mass and function
Decreased organ function
Reproductive damage
Heart damage or decreased function
Changes in body chemistry & metabolism

If you suspect:

Take action- the earlier the problem is addressed the greater the chance of a positive outcome
Healthy communication is vital. Talking with the child in a non-threatening manner, expressing love and concern may help to acknowledge the behavior and begin to deal with it.
Parents should seek professional help from a healthcare professional who specialized in Eating Disorders. They can evaluate the situation, then make recommendations for treatment

What Parents can do to promote “Healthy Eating”
Prevention:

Demonstrate balance in eating. Convey that all foods can be eaten and enjoyed in moderation. Do not give foods “Good or Bad labels”
Demonstrate balance in exercise. Engage in physical activities for recreation and fun to show a healthy lifestyle, not for weight loss
Don’t use food either as a punishment or a reward
Help children to develop self esteem from their positive qualities. Not exclusively in their appearance

Resources: For additional information about Eating Disorders, Treatment Programs, or how to find help in your area:

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

Please click here or on the image to the left to download the Eat Disorder brochure.