As a parent, seeing your child struggle with food can be heartbreaking and confusing. You may be left wondering what to say, how to support them, or if you are doing the right thing. Disordered eating is not simply picky eating or meal skipping; it can significantly impact a child's mental and physical well-being. Creating a healthy relationship with food at home can make all the difference in helping your child recover and succeed.
According to the JAMA Network, the occurrence of eating disorders among children and adolescents (aged 11-19 years) has been reported to range from 1.2% in boys to 5.7% in girls, with a notable increase in incidence over the past few decades. Given that mid to late adolescence is a critical time for the emergence of eating disorders and their related symptoms, it is essential to be aware of and comprehend the prevalence of disordered eating among young people.
Tips for Parents of Children with Disordered Eating
1. Establish a Pressure-Free Eating Environment
Kids with disordered eating feel anxious at the dinner table. Instead of turning food into a battlefield, establish a peaceful and routine-based setting.
Let food be about connection, not control. Refrain from commenting on portions or requiring they eat everything on their plate. Instead, allow mealtimes to be a casual family tradition where food appears, but eating is not imposed.
2. Make Language Around Food Neutral and Positive
Avoid labelling food as 'good' or 'bad.' Describe how various foods benefit our bodies in different ways; some energise us, some make us grow, and others are fun to enjoy in moderation.
Redoing how we discuss food enables kids to eliminate guilt or shame from their diet. Phrases, such as "That dessert will make you fat" or "You don't need more of that" can do more damage than good.
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3. Focus on Feelings, Not Just Food
Most of the time, disordered eating is not just about food. It may be a coping mechanism for feelings of anxiety, stress, or low self-esteem. Ask your child gently: "How have you been feeling lately?" or "Is there something on your mind you want to talk about?"
Being emotionally available without judgement can establish trust and make your child feel safe sharing.
4. Be a Role Model Without Being a Food Cop
Kids are always observing. If they see you dieting all the time, missing meals, or talking negatively about your own body or eating, they learn those things. Instead, demonstrate what balanced eating is.
Eat with them. Share a variety of foods, and talk positively about your body. This helps them internalise that food isn't the enemy, it's fuel, joy, and comfort.
Also Read: How To Reduce Obesity Risk In Children: Contributing Factors To Note
5. Engage Professionals Early
If you think your child is struggling with disordered eating, don't delay getting help. Engage a multidisciplinary team that includes a paediatrician, psychologist, and registered dietitian with expertise in eating disorders.
Getting help early on can stop things getting worse. Professional advice can relieve some of the pressure from you as a parent, equipping you to help your child.
6. Maintain Routine, But Remain Flexible
Structure gives children a sense of safety, particularly for children with food anxieties. Meals scheduled around the clock, including snacks, can demystify the issue of food and decrease anxiety related to food. However, stay flexible. If your child does not handle one meal well, don't turn it into a power battle. Provide food, and let them choose what and how much to eat. Your role is to provide, not to push.
7. Celebrate Non-Food Wins
Praise your child for their creativity, kindness, or resilience and not for eating or how large they are. This helps support their self-concept as valued and worthwhile independently of appearance and food intake or amount.
Non-body language that focuses on who they are as people, not what they are eating, returns the emphasis where it belongs and can be just as powerful.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issue to avoid complications.]