Ten Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Eating Disorders I
September 2nd, 2005
By: Michael Levine, Ph.D., and Linda Smolak, Ph.D.
Examine closely your dreams and goals for your children and other loved ones. Are you over-emphasizing beauty and body shape?
1. Consider your thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors toward your own body and the way that these beliefs have been shaped by the forces of weightism and sexism. Then educate your children about
(a) the genetic basis for the natural diversity of human body shapes and sizes, and
(b) the nature and ugliness of prejudice.
Make an effort to maintain positive, healthy attitudes & behaviors. Children learn from the things you say and do!
2. Examine closely your dreams and goals for your children and other loved ones. Are you overemphasizing beauty and body shape?
* Avoid conveying an attitude which says in effect, “I will like you more if you lose weight, don’t eat so much, look more like the slender models in ads, fit into smaller clothes, etc.”
* Decide what you can do and what you can stop doing to reduce the teasing, criticism, blaming, staring, etc. that reinforce the idea that larger or fatter is “bad” and smaller or thinner is “good.”
3. Learn about and discuss with your sons and daughters (a) the dangers of trying to alter one’s body shape through dieting,
(b) the value of moderate exercise for health, and (c) the importance of eating a variety of foods in well-balanced meals consumed at least three times a day.
* Avoid categorizing foods into “good/safe/no-fat or low-fat” vs. “bad/dangerous/ fattening.”
* Be a good role model in regard to sensible eating, exercise, and self-acceptance.
4. Make a commitment not to avoid activities (such as swimming, sunbathing, dancing, etc.) simply because they call attention to your weight and shape. Refuse to wear clothes that are uncomfortable or that you don’t like but wear simply because they divert attention from your weight or shape.
Entry Filed under: eating disorders
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