10 Things Parents Can Do To Prevent Eating Disorders
I love this list, written by Michael Levine, PhD, of things parents can do to prevent their children from developing eating disorders. In the back of my mind, I am always concerned about what beliefs my children are forming in regards to weight and body image. While I try my best to teach them the importance of eating healthy and getting regular exercise – because of the HEALTH benefits it offers – not because of appearances, I realize that the world around them sends the opposite message, in a very loud way.
This list has given me some things to think about… and hopefully you will find it helpful as well.
10 Things Parents Can Do To Prevent Eating Disorders In Their Children
1. Consider your thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors toward your own body and the way that these beliefs have been shaped by the forces of weightism and sexism. Then educate your children about (a) the genetic basis for the natural diversity of human body shapes and sizes and (b) the nature and ugliness of prejudice. Be sure to make an effort to maintain positive attitudes and healthy behaviors. Children learn from the things you say and do!
2. Examine closely your dreams and goals for your children and other loved ones. Are you over-
emphasizing beauty and body shape, particularly for girls? Avoid conveying an attitude which says in effect, “I will like you more if you lose weight, don’t eat so much, look more like the slender models in ads, fit into smaller clothes, etc.” Decide what you can do and what you can stop doing to reduce the teasing, criticism, blaming, staring, etc. that reinforce the idea that larger or fatter is “bad” and smaller or thinner is “good.”
3. Learn about and discuss with your sons and daughters (a) the dangers of trying to alter one’s body shape through dieting, (b) the value of moderate exercise for health, and (c) the importance of eating a variety of foods in well-balanced meals consumed at least three times a day. Avoid categorizing and labeling foods (e.g. good/bad or safe/dangerous). All foods can be eaten in moderation. Be a good role model in regard to sensible eating, exercise, and self-acceptance.
4. Make a commitment not to avoid activities (such as swimming, sunbathing, dancing, etc.) simply because they call attention to your weight and shape. Refuse to wear clothes that are uncomfortable or that you don’t like but wear simply because they divert attention from your weight or shape.
5. Make a commitment to exercise for the joy of feeling your body move and grow stronger, not to purge fat from your body or to compensate for calories, power, excitement, popularity, or perfection.
6. Practice taking people seriously for what they say, feel, and do, not for how slender or “well put-together” they appear.
7. Help children appreciate and resist the ways in which television, magazines, and other media distort the true diversity of human body types and imply that a slender body means power, excitement, popularity, or perfection.
8. Educate boys and girls about various forms of prejudice, including weightism, and help them understand their responsibilities for preventing them.
9. Encourage your children to be active and to enjoy what their bodies can do and feel like. Do not limit their caloric intake unless a physician requests that you do this because of a medical problem.
10. Do whatever you can to promote the self-esteem and self-respect of all of your children in intellectual, athletic, and social endeavors. Give boys and girls the same opportunities and encouragement. Be careful not to suggest that females are less important than males, e.g., by exempting males from housework or childcare. A well-rounded sense of self and solid self-esteem are perhaps the best antidotes to dieting and disordered eating.
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One Response to “10 Things Parents Can Do To Prevent Eating Disorders”
Lance
May 10th, 2009
Great stuff Liz. And it’s not something I’ve really thought much about until maybe a couple of weeks ago. My daughter (age: 12) asked me, out of the blue – if her belly made her look fat. And the thing is, she has no belly, in fact she is as thin as a rail. Makes me wonder what gets discussed amongst friends… The good news, or so I hope, is that this has not come up since… And she continues to eat as much as anyone else. Anyway, a timely post. Thanks much Liz.
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