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
 
Bingeing 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

  Treatment For Eating Disorders

Basically, people afflicted with anorexia nervosa, binge-eating, bulimia nervosa, compulsive eating, and pica seek treatment for eating disorders.
 
Healthy Eating for Teenagers: Recovering From Eating Disorders
 
Anitapatterson@morguefile.com. Normal eating patterns for teenagers includes most anything in varying amounts.
 
  Eating Disorders and Nutrition News
 
Here is the first book written by a nutritionist that addresses childhood and teenage eating disorders - with an emphasis on home-based recovery
 
Miss America Gives Up Crown But Not Work
 
The Farmington Hills, Mich., native says meeting with teen girls across the country to discuss eating disorders highlighted her past year.
 
 
 

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