The pressure for teens to conform to a norm has always been massive. With the introduction of social media, this has increased exponentially. Roughly 3 in 10 teenage boys and 5 in 10 teenage girls display unhealthy behaviors pertaining to their bodies. From there, it’s a slippery slope to disordered eating.
The most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. At least 4 percent of those between the ages of 13 and 18 will suffer from one of these conditions. If a teen under your care is engaging in behaviors that concern you, it is essential that you find ways to engage with them.
Disordered Eating: Facts and Figures
– Women and girls have a nine times higher risk of disordered eating than males.
– Anorexia is the most common eating disorder, and half the teens with anorexia will develop either bulimia or binge eating.
– Anorexia and bulimia have the highest fatality rates of any mental illness.
– The teens mentioned in the intro above are trying to control their weight and body shape via fasting, skipping meals, vomiting, smoking cigarettes, and taking laxatives.
– By the time they turn 17, about 9 out of 10 girls have tried dieting.
We could go on, but you get the idea. Disordered eating is a serious business; it strikes teens in disproportionate numbers. As a parent or caretaker, you have a huge responsibility to care for your teen. To follow, we will cut through the myths and deliver some basic, common-sense advice.
4 Ways to Care for a Teen with an Eating Disorder
1) Accept What is Happening and Commit Unconditionally
Denial is common. The teen will go to Herculean lengths to hide their behavior. A parent may pretend all is well. It’s not about blame or shame now. What’s really needed is for you, as a caregiver, to accept and commit. Your child needs help in a major way, and every minute counts.
2) Educate Yourself
Once you have a grasp on what is going on, it’s time to move into self-education mode. You may be surprised to learn that, for example:
– Some folks with eating disorders do not present as underweight.
– A sudden commitment to exercise can be awesome but should be monitored as a possible red flag.
– Your teen expressing a preference for baggy clothes could be more than a fashion choice.
– Frequent trips to the bathroom—especially during mealtime—may not be innocent.
And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Show your child that you are ready to do the work and learn what you need to learn.
3) Lead By Example
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
– Pledge yourself and your family to make meals as nutritious and guilt-free as possible.
– Don’t talk negatively about weight and body types—whether it’s about family members or celebrities. Discuss health at every size (HAES). Celebrate all bodies.
– Engage in a healthy amount of exercise and physical activity and invite your family to join you.
– Reduce your time on your phone and using social media as this can influence your teen to do the same.
– Let your teen know that they can talk to you about anything, and you are a source of healthy support.
4) Build Self-Confidence
Even as you resist praise related to weight or body type, you can never miss an opportunity to dole out compliments about kindness, curiosity, and love of self, etc. This can be a powerful way to remind teens that there is more to life than the search for a “perfect” body.
5) Work With Them to Explore Treatment Options
There are different kinds of eating disorders and different kinds of therapists. Learn together. Make recovery a team effort so your teen does not doubt you’re on their side.
Speaking of treatments, never forget that your teen will need professional guidance. Encourage them to seek out a therapist who understands disordered eating and teens. For support, we invite you to reach out to our office with questions. Our compassionate and competent therapists can offer you and your teen support.
