parents asked:

Parents TV talks to an expert about eating disorders. Find out what to watch out for and how to promote a healthy body image for your children.

ophoenix28 asked:


I don’t want to do something that would cause it to be worse, or have to tell their parents, I will surely do so if it gets too serious without a doubt. My friend recently began cutting herself and now my other friend believes she has an eating disorder. What can I do to help before I have to inform her parents?

When it comes to childhood eating problems many times the parents are the last ones to know that their child is battling an eating disorder. Although you would assume that they are in a perfect position to be involved often times because of their childs privacy issues the childhood eating problems become unnoticeable. As parents we want to nurture and protect so once the eating disorder is recognized we have no choice but to be actively involved. But How?

The first thing that must be done is to be supportive and be sure that your child knows how much you love them. Both parent and child want to live happy, healthy, normal lives and in many cases that may involve therapy. So it is important that the parents involvement is in sync with health professionals plan for recovery. It is the parents involvement that will help the recovery process for the simple fact that they see the day to day routines.

Be The Observer

There is only so much that can be accomplished in the therapist office, testing will give results only after the disease is into a medically necessary stage, so it is up to the parents to note the childhood eating problems. Eating disorders are diseases that quite naturally are going to appear around meal times. Pay special attention to how they do or do not eat. Do they come up with lame excuses not to eat such as they ate at a friends house? Do they push their food around the plate making it appear as if they ate some of their meal? Are they eating their meal or just nibbling here and there? Are they the last to arrive to the table at meal times and the first to leave? Do they get antsy or show signs of depression at meal times? This parental involvement is critical to your childs recovery because no one else is around to be the observer.

Some parents have difficulties being the observer with childhood eating problems because they feel as though they are being too controlling and are afraid of causing a negative reaction. They feel as though they are intruding in their childs privacy and start believing that the eating disorder is their fault. Parents need to know that the eating disorder and lack of proper nourishment effects their childs rational thinking.

Nurture Your Child To Better Health

If there ever was a time for parents to be nurturing now is the time. They must understand that the childhood eating problems are affecting their childs ability to function under normal conditions. Until they become more self sufficient they need their parents whether they want to admit it or not. Don’t feel as though you are controlling them because you are not. You are showing them unconditional love that will be appreciated once they become more responsible with their eating habits.

By: James Rouse

About the Author:

Mayla asked:


i seriously need help. my binge eating has been going on nonstop for about 8 months. i just do not know what to do anymore. i want to tell my parents and ask for help, but i don’t know where to start. i’ve come so close to telling them several times, but somehow something always seems to stop me. i just cannot control myself and i need someone to tell me what to do. if you have any suggestions please let me know as soon as you can. thanks!

– asked:


im at a healthy weight, but i cant stop binge eating, i can binge eat up to an excess pound a day. i don’t wanna get fatter anymore and i hate myself and my body now. its like im a genderless blob. i cant even go get professional help because if i told my parents they would just be glad that i am and don’t want me to stop. how can i stop?

Lauren 16 asked:


I’m 16. and i need help to get over this. I cant do this alone and i’m scared. My aunt has bulimia and is 6′ 68lbs. I need someone to help me. I can’t do this by myself.

Meggs asked:


I’ve struggled with eating disorders for a while now, and I can’t get over them. I’ve told friends and they blow it off- they think I’m just trying to get attention. The thing is, I know it’s a serious problem but I don’t want to talk to my parents, I want to get over it myself. How can I do this?