Parents Need to Talk to Kids about Eating Disorders as Early as Possible
The National Eating Disorders Association web site shows that over one-half of teen girls and nearly one-third of teen boys are using unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting and taking laxatives.
Kimberly Dennis, M.D., medical director at Timberline Knolls Residential Center says it is critical parents talk to their kids about eating disorders as early as possible.
A recent government study by Biomed shows that more than half a million teens have had an eating disorder. The most common is binge eating disorder and bulimia.
Most of the time disorders go untreated and there needs to be awareness of this trend before it gets out of control.
According to Dr. Dennis, parents don’t want to believe their child might have a fatal disease, especially if the teen is still doing well in school and even excelling in sports. When parents do suspect a problem, a lot of times they think it’s “just a phase” and are in denial.
Dennis says parents need to talk to their kids and be very in tune with eating patterns. There is also a need for all “first responders” such as pediatricians, primary care doctors, school nurses, teachers and coaches in a teen’s life to be aware of this growing problem.
Early detection and treatment is critical to ensure a healthy life for these teenagers and Dr. Dennis believes more programs need to be developed.
Dennis feels we need to speak to students, school nurses, teachers and coaches, and parents also need to get involved and be educated on the seriousness of these diseases.
Dennis encourages parents to listen to their gut and look for changes in behavior such as kids not eating with the family, frequent trips to the bathroom immediately after meals, changes in diet, and consumption of a large, unhealthy amount of food in one table sitting.
More studies are needed, as eating disorders are more widespread than anyone may realize.
