Teenage Eating Disorder

We have an increase of teenage eating disorder and obesity among children of very young ages, some as young as four years. Parents need to learn how to relay positive messages to their teenager to promote healthy body image to their children.. Looks are very important to teenagers and most are concerned about weight.

A people survey of around 1000 teens, showed that close to 40 percent worried about weight. Cosmetic surgery on girls 18 and younger has increased by over 20 percent in recent years. Teenage girls who viewed pictures of models in fashion magazines said that magazine pictures influenced their idea of the what the perfect body shape should look like.

About 50 pecent of those teenagers interviewed said they wanted to lose weight because of magazine pictures. It is estimated that over 50 percent of the women in the U S are on diets. Every one seems to have a unheathy concept of their body image.[yes even men] The ideal concept of the female body has changed over the years and has had a huge impact of dieting in America.

Many factors are to blame for the idea of perfect body shape of teenage girls in America. Things such as better nutrition, earlier puberty and other social influences are some of the contributing factors. Regardless of the reason, the common trend seems to point to a thinner standard of the female ideal. With these unreasonable concepts, it is no wonder children are dissatisfied and confused about their bodies. This false conceptis is a contributing factor for the increase in eating disorders in teenagers.

Some of the warning signs of teenage eating disorder are as follows: Loss of menstrual period Dieting obsessively Claiming to feel "fat" when they are not Loss of menstrual period Preoccupation with food, counting calories, etc. Claiming their not hungry Over exercising, overly active

Frequent weighing Strange eating behaviors Frequent weighing Binge-eating Below normal body weight and fast loss of weight Depression Hair loss

Bulimia Warning Signs: Overly concern about weight Frequent overeating Strict dieting and eating binges Binging on high calorie, sweet foods Going to the bathroom after meals Vigorous exercise, and/or vomiting to control weight Use of laxatives, diuretics, strict dieting Secretive about binges or vomiting Planning binges Feeling out of control Depressive eposodes How parents can help if their teenager has what is called teenage eating disorder: Parents can do much to help their children who are strugling with wrong thinking about eating and weight.

One of the most important ways is to take a hard look at their own beliefs and prejudices about weight and appearance. Parents should communicate love, acceptance, and respect for their teenager regardless of weight issues. This will help reduce some of the pressure teenage children may feel about their bodies.

Try to encourage the idea that our body size is not what true happiness is about, but rather a respect for ourself and others, and the body that God has given us. Give your teenager unconditional love and encouragement through their difficult teenage years.

Seek professioal help if all else fails, remember many of us need help from Doctor’s or other professioals from time to time.. If your child has an eating disorder stand by your teenager and hold a possitive attitude. God bless.

Eating disorder treatment