Watch for signs of eating disorders in children
Nov 21, 2012, 6:27 AM | Updated: 6:27 am
Eating disorders affect millions — 10 million women and at least 1 million men suffer from anorexia or bulimia in the United States. Millions more struggle with binge eating.
Phoenix therapist Chase Kerrey said oftentimes the disorder starts when someone is young, so parents need to watch for the warning signs.
“Increased awareness of body appearance, increased awareness of body image and dissatisfaction, thoughts of rejection.”
Kerrey said parents need to monitor their child’s eating habits year round, not just through the holidays.
“Overall emphasis on food. Overall emphasis on body. Overall emphasis on ‘If I lost weight, life would be better,’ ” Kerrey said.
More than half of teen girls and a third of teen boys said they have used extreme weight control behaviors like skipping meals, fasting, vomiting and taking laxatives.
