Eating Disorders in Children rises 119%

Greenie Marie via www.etsy.com

The News Herald serving Northern Ohio posted an article today with jaw dropping statistics of the rise in eating disorders among children.

“Nationally, hospitalizations for eating disorders have increased with staggering speed. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found a 119 percent increase, between 1999-2006, in hospitalizations for children younger than 12.”

The article goes onto speculate “Have eating disorders really risen in the past 10 years or are we just more aware now and able to properly diagnose?” It is hard to say and I’m not an analyst so I can’t help you there. What I can help you with is preventing eating disorders. Like any addiction, eating disorders have a genetic component making one more susceptible to developing one, yet environment and family dynamics play a large role. We often discuss this with concerned Victorian clients who report their siblings or children showing signs of a developing eating disorder.

In response I have put together some of my own tactics to use with raising a child in order to prevent an eating disorder. Everyone should remember S-M-I-L-E, SMILE! 

S – Speak Slowly

From birth through their teenage years children are learning how to be people by modeling and watching their parents and care givers. If they see their parents complaining about their weight, their wrinkles or overly concerned about the way look in some jeans they are going to complain and hold concern over the same things. Speak slowly before you voice your insecurity’s and also get to know the people who are caring for your children. Do they speak obsessively about their appearance? Asking a potential nanny “How do you feel about your own body image?” Is not an outrageous question these days.

M – Movies

No, the Disney princesses are not to blame for eating disorders, but an over consumption of them may contribute greatly to a girls values. In therapy many eating disorder clients refer to “wanting to be saved out of their eating disorder” and “Waiting for that someone who will make it all better.” When a child is still molding their values the images they see have a lasting impact. Therefore it is very important to show movies and films of strong, independent heroines some of my favorites are Anne of Green Gables or Little Women.

I – Individual

Whether it’s a boy or a girl each kid wants to know that they are special for something. Girls get praised for being “cute” and “beautiful” therefore they try to embody this constantly for praise. Boys get praised for being “Strong” and “tough” therefore they try to embody this constantly. There isn’t anything wrong with being beautiful or strong, but it’s the over emphasis that drives addiction. The children feed of the praise for their self esteem. Considering that beauty and strength are external the praise is very fickle and doesn’t help the child develop a strong sense of self. What does help a child is praise for their individuality such as, “Wow! You are such a good artists!” Or “Wow! You are such a good friend!” or “Wow! You are so smart!” or “Wow! You are so kind!” Every kid is good at something, it’s up to you to show them their individuality which in the long run will make them a confident adult, not an insecure one constantly looking for external affirmation.

L – Like

Again children mimic what we say, making it equally important for us to verbalize what we “Like” about other people. If we show children through our conversations that “I LIKE your new hair!” or “I LIKE your new car” or “I LIKE your new dress” or “I LIKE your new house” Children will also learn to like these things as well. We need to show children that we “LIKE how well Mrs. Simmons loves on her animals.” Or “I really LIKE how Mr. Sanchez donates his dental services to kids who don’t have a dentist.” When kids hear this dialogue they will try to fit the mold of your ‘LIKING’.

E – Excitement

A lot of times children develop an over concern with their looks and body, by parents excitement. Does this sound familiar, “Wow! You look so beautiful!” or “Wow! You look so handsome!” There is nothing wrong with this, but try to show the same about of excitement around their creativity, kindness and strength. Children need to know that their value lies not simply in their external appearance, but in how they are each uniquely made.

I hope these tips helped anyone currently worried about the children in their lives developing eating disorders. Check back at The Victorian Recovery Blog next week for more news, research and tips on eating disorders!

Happy Recovery,

Irvina

*Note:  Irvina Kanarek is not a counselor, mother or psychologist. Her tactics are from her experience working in an eating disorder treatment center, as a nanny and art teacher .