|
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Eating Disorders and Food Anxiety
CHILDHOOD OBESITY IS A HOT TOPIC IN THE
UNITED STATES, BUT WE
should also be discussing the increasing rate of all eating disorders
in school age children. Eating disorders such as compulsive eating, binge
eating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia make it harder for our children
to experience academic, athletic, and social success. Disturbingly, researchers
have found that early dieting puts children at risk for developing these
disorders.
About 40% of 9 and 10 year old girls are trying
to lose weight, according to a study in Pediatrics, the journal
of the American Academy of Pediatrics. What frightens some researchers
is that many of these girls aren't even overweight. They are not dieting
for health reasons, but because of dissatisfaction with their bodies.
Of most concern to parents is that girls with poor body image are more
likely to want to smoke, drink, and experiment with drugs and sex.
Much of these young girls' preoccupation with shape
and weight is blamed on the media's continual exposure of very thin women.
Genetics is also a factor. However, sometimes the words and actions of
adults contribute to our children's unhealthy food relationships.
Food is often used to reward and punish children.
When used in this way, it becomes a potential weapon for control. As we
attach extra meaning to food, our perception of it is altered, increasing
our collective food anxiety. Some examples of how we attach extra meaning
to food include:
"Do your homework and you can have some
ice cream." "If you go to bed without a fuss, I'll bring you
a hamburger and fries for lunch at school." (Reward)
"Unless you clean that plate, you can't watch any TV tonight!" "You were so bad at the store that you will have to eat all your
green beans!" (Punishment)
"You're such a good girl. You've cleaned your plate!" "My
son is not a picky eater. He eats everything in sight." "She's
so thin; she must be a healthy eater". (Compliment)
"I know the kids have been picking on you. Don't be upset. We'll
get pizza and popcorn tonight and watch your favorite TV show." (Consolation)
"There's nothing to do. Let's go out for ice cream." (Boredom)
As children are repeatedly exposed to these messages,
they eat when their feelings tell them to eat, or they don't eat in an
effort to control their environment. They begin to lose the ability to
eat to satisfy hunger.
10 Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Eating Disorders
- Be good role models. Consider your thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors
toward your own body.
- Make family mealtime a priority. Support and demonstrate healthy eating
habits at home and at school. Parents have the greatest influence on
a child's eating behavior. Encourage balanced eating of a variety of
foods in moderation.
- Do not talk or behave as if you are constantly dieting.
- Don't use food as a reward or punishment. Reward children with attention
and family activities. Punish by taking away privileges.
- Don't equate food with positive or negative behavior. When a parent
says, "I was good today because I didn't eat much," it implies
that eating is bad.
- Downplay appearance. Examine your dreams and goals for your children.
Are you over-emphasizing beauty and body shape?
- Cultivate talents to boost your child's self-esteem and self-respect.
- Role play with your child about how to deal with peer pressure.
- Encourage eating in response to body hunger.
- Encourage exercise for fun and health, not as a way to burn calories.
οΎ©2004 by Claudia Pillow and Annalise Roberts
Health and Nutrition Archive
back
top
home
|
