| Childhood overweight and obesity has more than | | | | focus on eating, but not enjoying food. You may |
| tripled since 1980. Among children and teens aged | | | | not realize right away that there is anything |
| 6-19 years, 18 percent are considered overweight | | | | wrong. It is common for children to hide their |
| or obese. As alarming as these statistics are | | | | weight loss by wearing loose fitting clothes. You |
| however, there is another growing concern | | | | should be concerned if your child complains of |
| among children that, without treatment, may | | | | being fat, doesn't eat meals, or makes excuses |
| result in potentially fatal conditions. In the past | | | | for a significant weight change. An eating disorder |
| decade, researchers have started looking at | | | | is a serious problem. Pressuring a child to eat will |
| eating disorders in children, why they are | | | | generally not change their behavior. What parents |
| occurring at such young ages, and how they can | | | | should do: |
| be effectively treated. | | | | - Rule out any medical or psychological condition. |
| Eating disorders are illnesses that cause severe | | | | - Develop healthy eating lifestyles at home with |
| changes in eating behaviors and related thoughts | | | | three nourishing meals a day. |
| about body image. The two main types of eating | | | | - Eat meals together as family as often as |
| disorders are anorexia nervosa or anorexia, and | | | | possible. |
| bulimia nervosa or bulimia. However, many children | | | | - Don't skip meals. |
| affected do not fit all of the requirements for | | | | - Maintain an active lifestyle and limit television and |
| these specific disorders. Like adults, eating | | | | video games. |
| disorders in children are usually a combination of | | | | - Never tell children to clean their plate. This gives |
| factors - physical and emotional. On one hand, | | | | them a sense of not being in control of their food. |
| dieting in young children is instrumental in eating | | | | Allow them to determine when they are full. |
| disorder development; on the other hand, it can | | | | - Never criticize a child's weight. |
| be a method of weight control for obese children. | | | | - Encourage children to express their feelings. |
| The family eating environment and influence of | | | | - Don't allow your child to overdo athletic activities. |
| parents are important factors in childhood eating | | | | Be aware of what coaches expect of a team and |
| disorders. Comments on a child's weight or body | | | | step in if you feel the activities are unhealthy. |
| shape, and an emphasis on thinness may | | | | If you believe your child may have a problem |
| contribute to negative attitudes about their body. | | | | with eating, be sure to consult your doctor. |
| This may result in long-term problems with body | | | | Treating an eating disorder is difficult. It may be |
| image and self esteem. Mothers tend to have a | | | | necessary to involve both the child and family in |
| greater affect on their children's eating and self | | | | treatment over a period of time. Even when a |
| image, especially in girls. It is estimated that one in | | | | child's weight returns to normal, it takes time for |
| every 100 girls and young women may have | | | | healthier behaviors and a positive self-image to |
| anorexia. Symptoms may include exercising a lot, | | | | develop. |
| eating little food, vomiting after meals, and a | | | | |