Young people often take any comments others make on their weight, body shape or appearance very seriously. Parents may mistake the body changes associated with puberty as an unhealthy weight gain. The young person may respond by dieting, followed by binge eating which, in time, may lead to long term eating problems.

Young people may be very good at hiding their problems from their families. If parents are concerned about their child’s eating they should seek advice and assistance at once.

Parents frequently ask how can they know if their child has an eating disorder. The following warning signs may alert families:

• They will often believe they are fat no matter how thin they become.
• They may avoid eating with the family or want to go to the bathroom straight after meals.
• They may eat large amounts of food without gaining weight (people with bulimia often overeat then make themselves vomit or use laxatives).
• They may appear excessively preoccupied with food and dieting.
• They may exercise excessively to lose weight.
• They may eat compulsively, hide food or eat in secret.
• They may wear loose clothes that hide their body.
• The child or adolescent may feel they have a sense of control when they say “no” to food.

You can help your child to develop a positive sense of body image in several ways.

• Point out that healthy, attractive, successful people come in many sizes and shapes.
• Help your child discover what they like and value about themselves.
• Discourage family members from criticising each other’s appearance.
• Reassure your child about the changes to their body size and shape during puberty.
• Emphasise how these changes are part of growing from childhood to adulthood.
• Include the whole family in the goal of health and fitness (rather than single out an overweight child for a special regime).
• Encourage your child to express their emotions in effective and appropriate ways.
• Keep plenty of healthy snacks in the house such as fruit and bread.
• Explain how images of women on television and magazines are often changed to make them look slimmer.
• If a doctor determines your child needs to lose weight, adjust the family’s exercise and eating habits to make it easier. Be clear about a healthy weight range for your child.

How to get help for eating disorders

• Your general practitioner
• Your local Area Health Service (during business hours) including community health centres or specialist child and adolescent mental health services.
• Other specialists who work with children and adolescents such as paediatricians and child psychologists.

Disturbed eating is very common in young people. Overeating may be related to tension, poor nutritional habits and food fads.

Bulimia and anorexia nervosa most commonly begin in adolescence. Studies show that many girls, as young as 6-8 years, believe an “ideal weight” is thinner than their own body.

Parents can encourage healthy eating and help their children feel good about their bodies.