Breaking the Silence: How Parents Can Take Charge in the Fight Against Childhood Eating Disorders

Breaking the Silence:

How Parents Can Take Charge in the Fight Against Childhood Eating Disorders

Navigating conversations about eating disorders with your kids can be daunting, particularly if you see concerning signs. Yet, as eating disorders escalate among children and teens, understanding how these illnesses originate and knowing how to talk about them with your children is crucial.

Here are three things that you probably didn’t know about eating disorders in kids and teens.

1. More than 1 in 5 kids and teens show signs of disordered eating, a set of unhealthy eating habits that increases the chances of having an eating disorder later in life.
2. Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is the most common eating disorder among children between 4 and 11 years old – ARFID causes children and teens to restrict the amount or types of food they eat and can stall weight gain and growth. It can also be a risk factor for other eating disorders later in life.
3. Researchers still do not know the exact causes of eating disorders. There are genetic, societal, and environmental components, but trauma appears to be one of the most relevant risk factors to develop an eating disorder.

While these statistics might be concerning, it’s important to remember that with the right tools, parents and caregivers can play a pivotal role in supporting children and teens who are at risk of developing or have developed an eating disorder.

Let’s take a look at three skills that empower parents to help their children navigate trauma and unhealthy eating patterns:

1. Learning how to communicate with your child: understanding the common causes and mindsets that drive eating disorders will help you choose the right words when tackling these difficult conversations.
2. Recognizing you can seek professional help if necessary: consider reaching out to your local healthcare provider or exploring resources like NAMI and FEAST.
3. Knowing how treatment works: Treating eating disorders requires a comprehensive approach that includes therapy with mental health professionals, nutrition education, and medical monitoring. Depending on the symptoms and overall health of the patients, treatment can be done at home (outpatient), or by attending specialized facilities where they get 24-hour care (impatient or residential).

If you’re looking to delve deeper into this topic, Mind blossom has crafted a course just for you, providing insight into the crucial role family and friends play in the healing process of eating disorders.