In young children
and adolescents, pediatricians may be in a good
position to identify early indicators of an eating
disorder and prevent the development of full-blown
illness. They can ask children questions about their
eating habits and satisfaction with their appearance
during routine medical appointments, for instance.
Make sure your children attend well-child
doctor visits. These visits should include checks of body mass index and
weight percentiles. Those checks can provide an early warning about
overeating — or undereating.
Family dining habits may also influence the
relationships children develop with food. Try to eat some meals together as
a family. Teach children about the pitfalls of dieting, and encourage
healthy eating. If your child has symptoms of anxiety, depression or other
mood disorders, seek medical care.
In addition, if you notice a family member
or friend with low self-esteem, severe dieting, frequent overeating,
hoarding of food or dissatisfaction with appearance, consider talking to him
or her about these issues. Although you may not be able to prevent an eating
disorder from developing, you can talk about healthier behaviour or
treatment options.
