Eating disorders in the kids and the important role of the parents in handling this issue!!
Posted on: 06/Jun/2022 9:50:59 AM
Talking to the kids regarding their eating disorders is not very easy for any parent as it is a highly sensitive issue!!
It is worthy to note that the parents would be able to talk much easier about even menstruation or puberty issues etc with their kids than talking about various eating disorders etc.
What is an eating disorder?
It must be noted that eating disorder is a range of psychological disorders characterised by abnormal and disturbed eating habits. The bitter truth is that eating disorders could impact the mental health of the kid and hence parents must choose their words cautiously while talking.
Only when the issue of eating disorder in their kids has reached the final stage, parents normally would become aware of that issue.
Point is that eating disorder is not just one condition but it is a range of psychological conditions leading to poor eating habits in the kids. In the beginning, the kid might become obsessed with food, weight and body shape etc and these would alter the eating behaviour of the kid.
Various types of eating disorders are anorexia, binge eating disorder or BED, bulimia etc. The shocking fact is that anorexia is the most dangerous type of eating disorder with a high mortality rate.
Some common physical symptoms of eating disorders in kids are unexplained weight loss, fatigue, GI issues, dizziness, mouth infections etc.
Various behavioural symptoms that parents must watch out for in their kids regarding eating disorders are compulsive eating resulting in excess intake of food, vomiting after eating, frequently weighing oneself, wanting to eat alone etc. There are certain psychological symptoms of eating disorders witnessed in the kids such as obsession over looks, low esteem and low self confidence, expressing guilt after eating, feeling anxiety, stress and anger, extreme mood swings etc.
Role of the parents: Parents must listen to what their kids say first before talking to them about eating disorder issues etc. It is the duty of the parent to find out the reason for the eating disorder of their kids. Identifying an eating disorder is difficult for others especially when the kid or teen have been suffering from the issue.
