by Amelia Austin, Gina Dimitropoulos, Sheri Madigan and Tracy Vaillancourt, The Conversation
In the age of social media, youth are constantly bombarded with viral trends and toxic messages that set unrealistic standards about the ideal body image. This has translated into a far too common expression of body shape dissatisfaction in young people.
Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder are serious mental health conditions that affect approximately one million Canadians. These conditions are also on the rise in youth, with research showing that health-care visits for eating disorders doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to before the pandemic.
This is concerning, since there are already very long wait times for eating disorder programs.
Individuals with eating disorders experience a problematic relationship with food, often accompanied by significant distress about their weight, shape and size. Many experience body image dissatisfaction and restrictive eating.
Eating disorders do not discriminate. They can occur in people of any race/ethnicity, age, socioeconomic class or gender. Youth who do not “fit” the stereotype of an eating disorder, especially those from Black, Indigenous and racialized backgrounds, may face delayed recognition and diagnosis.
Eating disorders impact every aspect of an individual’s life and contribute to significant distress for the affected individual and their family, including their siblings. They can have serious and life-threatening complications, such as bradycardia (heart beating too slowly), osteoporosis (bone weakening) and anemia (low red blood cell count). Eating disorders are also associated with a high rate of premature death.
As clinicians and researchers, we have studied and worked with youth and their families struggling with eating disorders or “disordered eating” (the spectrum of unhealthy eating behavior and patterns). Below we offer a guide for parents and other supportive adults on recognizing the signs of disordered eating in youth and offer practical resources and tips to support them effectively.
Considering the growing concern about the rise in eating disorder behavior in youth, and the importance of timely recognition and action, the following signs and symptoms of disordered eating are important to look out for:
Behaviors related to disordered eating:
Physical signs of disordered eating:
Social and psychological signs of disordered eating:
If you notice some of the signs and symptoms of disordered eating, it is essential to talk with your child. Invite them to share their experiences and listen without judgment. Express compassion, kindness and concern about their health and well-being.
If you believe your child’s health is at risk, warmly but firmly tell them that you are worried about them and organize contact with a health-care professional. Make an appointment with your primary care provider and come to your appointment prepared to discuss the type of behavior you have been seeing.
Previous research suggests that quickly seeking help may support better recovery from an eating disorder. This awareness motivates both providers and family members into action to quickly identify eating disorder behavior in youth and to advocate for them to receive comprehensive care from a diverse health-care team including psychologists, physicians, dietitians and social workers.
If you experience a long wait for targeted support in your area, consider also exploring reputable organizations in your geographical location.
It is important for parents and caregivers to recognize that negative body talk does not mean that your child has an eating disorder. It is, however, something to be mindful of, especially when coupled with the signs of eating disorders provided above.
The National Eating Disorders Information Center helpline and live chat are available seven days a week. For Helpline call 1-866-NEDIC-20 (toll-free) or live chat at nedic.ca
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Spotting the signs of disordered eating in youth: Tips for parents and caregivers (2024, March 30)
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