| Recently the issue of body image has been a topic of | | | | 2. A noticeable reduction in food intake and /or a denial |
| concern for parents with whom I am working. One | | | | of hunger |
| parent reported that her teenage daughter recently | | | | 3. Prolonged exercise despite exhaustion, fatigue or |
| began focusing a lot of negative attention on her size | | | | weakness |
| compared to others, began eating less at meals and | | | | 4. Intense fears about gaining weight |
| began spending a lot of time looking at model-like | | | | 5. Purging after meals |
| figures and comparing herself to them. This particular | | | | 6. Binging sometimes and then restricting food |
| parent was concerned that an eating disorder could | | | | significantly at other times |
| develop and rightfully so based on some of the signs | | | | 7. Unusual patterns of handling food or eating food |
| she was observing. Have you ever heard your | | | | If you believe your teen has or is developing an eating |
| teenager saying, "I'm too thin or too fat", "My skin is too | | | | disorder you should seek professional psychological |
| light or too dark", "I am too tall or too short"? If so, your | | | | and medical treatment as soon as possible and be |
| teenager may be struggling with their body image. As | | | | aware that the treatment process for a developed |
| a parent what do you do when you are concerned | | | | eating disorder can be a lengthy process. If you are |
| about your teenager's body image and it's potential | | | | concerned that your child has a poor body image but |
| negative impact on their functioning? | | | | do not feel that they have any real eating disorder, the |
| For starters, what is "Body Image"? Body image is | | | | following suggestions may be helpful: |
| psychological in nature and is influenced by one's own | | | | 1. Don't encourage your teen to eat, watch them eat, |
| self esteem (how much one values themselves) and | | | | or initiate discussions about weight. This will just further |
| self worth and is learned over time. Body image is | | | | draw attention to the issue and they may pick up on |
| ever changing and is how one perceives their physical | | | | your nervousness about this issue. |
| body and how they think others perceive it. Body | | | | 2. Don't speak negatively about food or weight and |
| image is shaped by those around someone, the | | | | don't point out how good someone looks just because |
| messages one receives from others and the media | | | | they are thin. |
| and through one's own experiences in life. In sum, Body | | | | 3. Don't feel guilty as a parent if your teenager is |
| image is what one both sees and feels when they | | | | struggling with body image - it is not your fault and it is |
| think about their body. | | | | important that you do not focus on feelings of guilt but |
| Adolescence is a very difficult time in general as teens | | | | rather on ways you can offer support. |
| are negotiating their place in the larger world and are | | | | 4. Don't let your concerns cause you to neglect other |
| often feeling insecure or confused. In addition, as we all | | | | things in your life such as outside interests or other |
| know, there are many body changes which take place | | | | family members who need your attention and support |
| as a result of puberty and which can lower an | | | | just as much as your teen who is struggling with their |
| individual's self esteem. Girls are three times more likely | | | | body image. |
| to have a negative body image according to the | | | | 5. Don't put them down or try to compare them to |
| National Mental Health Information Center. This may be | | | | others - this will only further reduce their low self |
| related to the fact that girls store more body fat during | | | | esteem. |
| adolescents which changes the overall appearance | | | | 6. Let them know that you are there to listen if THEY |
| and feel of their bodies. There is a lot of pressure | | | | want to talk about it. |
| placed on teens for how they "should" look which can | | | | 7. Put a lot of focus on other things they do well - not |
| feel overwhelming and can lead to a drastic response | | | | just on how they look so that they see their self worth |
| which does not take into account nutritional or medical | | | | as more than just physical appearance. |
| concerns. It can be very confusing for teenagers to | | | | 8. Encourage your teen to be active doing things they |
| see tons of marketing for fast food and snacks and | | | | enjoy rather than focusing on specific weight loss |
| at the same time be looking at models, actors, singers | | | | activities that are rigid and feel like a chore instead of |
| and other public figures who are unusually thin or who | | | | fun. |
| appear "picture perfect". | | | | 9. Encourage your teen to find something positive |
| As was the case with the parent mentioned at the | | | | about themselves each day - it may be a challenge at |
| beginning of this article, many parents want to be | | | | first but will help them to focus on their competencies |
| supportive to their teenager but at the same time are | | | | and positive things they can offer others. |
| worried that an eating disorder could develop because | | | | 10. Have fun and nutritious foods in the house so your |
| their teen's body image is so poor. This is a legitimate | | | | teen does not feel guilty when they do want to snack. |
| concern - The National Eating Disorders Association | | | | 11. If at all possible (and this is very, very difficult), try to |
| estimates that 5-10 million girls and women and 1 million | | | | limit your teen's exposure to the media which portrays |
| boys and men struggle with eating disorders. | | | | unrealistic body types. |
| As a parent it is helpful to know some of the actual | | | | 12. Compliment actions - compliment what they do, not |
| Signs and Symptoms of and Eating Disorder which | | | | how they look. |
| include (this list is not meant to be inclusive): | | | | 13. Love your child - they will sense this and your |
| 1. Abnormal weight loss of 25% or more without any | | | | acceptance is extremely important to them even if |
| medical explanation | | | | they don't show it! |